National Conference of State Legislatures Panel Discussion - “Bridging the Ideological Divide”

On Wednesday, August 20, 2014, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) held a panel discussion on “Bridging the Ideological Divide” as part of its 2014 Legislative Summit. The discussion with a panel of four distinguished former state and federal legislators is well worth the 89 minutes needed to view. The discussion further reinforces the need for the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA).

The overview provided by the NCSL states in part, “The problem of gridlock can't be laid at the feet of one political party or the other. So what is causing it?” The panel will “draw from their experiences and offer ideas on specific reforms that might help improve our system of government, overcome ideological roadblocks and avoid unnecessary conflict based on party rather than principle.”

Since not everyone can take 89 minutes out of their schedules, the following summary will give you the focus of the panel members. However, whether at one sitting or over the course of a day or two, I encourage you to watch.

The moderator for the discussion was Tom Loftus (D), former Wisconsin House speaker and U.S. ambassador to Norway. Panel members were Tom Berg (D), former state legislator and U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Mickey Edwards (R), former Oklahoma congressman and current vice-president Aspen Institute, and Christopher Rants (R), former speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives.

Tom Loftus opened the session stating our institution of government is broken, that the current divide does not allow for the identification of unifying issues. As a former Ambassador, he raised a point I’ve never thought about; how the current dysfunction in government is viewed by the rest of the world and the resulting impact on foreign policy. Loftus stated that the driving argument in this nation’s foreign policy is that our system of government is the best. The current gridlock and inability for legislative bodies to agree on even the simplest of things raises many doubts. As I link in Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act - The Details, studies show that open, non-partisan, blanket primaries result in legislative bodies more willing to have honest debate to resolve issues.

In an earlier blog post, “Bipartisan Policy Center Recommendations and Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act Go Hand-In-Hand”, I cover how the current political divisiveness permeates all aspects of our daily lives. Tom Berg highlighted this in his opening comment. There is now an App “BuyPartisan” that identifies companies by political philosophy allowing for purchasing decisions to be made based on closeness to our own. Berg goes on to stress the need for legislators to develop personal relationships not based on partisanship as a way to break through the rhetoric and reach consensus. Legislative leaders must set the example in this. During the question and answer period, Berg suggested legislatures establish a non-partisan research staff. He closed by saying legislators need to stop the stagnation and start acting on what is best for the state or nation and not just the party.

 Mickey Edwards started his remarks by stressing he is a party person, always has been, always will be. This is important because he goes on to say the political parties should not control ballot access. That by restricting the number of candidates, that are normally chosen by a very small plurality of voters; he gives several examples including his own nomination, and not allowing voters to have the widest possible choice, we are contradicting the intent of the Constitution. Edwards stated he supports the open, non-partisan, blanket primary system. This is what NEMRA is all about.

The system is not to blame, we are. This was the premise of remarks by Christopher Rants. He dwells on the fact that this country is more divided now than at any other time in recent history. We view people with opinions different from our own as idiots. One reason for this according to Rants is that we can now hand-pick our information sources. No more do all media get their information from the same source such as the Associate Press. All we have to do it look and we will find a source of information that “fits”. We are unwilling to listen, to find out why a person with a differing point of view holds that opinion. Because of this, collaboration, resolving problems is virtually impossible. What’s interesting is that as a former majority and minority leader in the Iowa House, Rants emphasizes resolving differences and solving problems can be done without forfeiting principles. NEMRA broadens the scope of discussion allowing various points of view to be discussed and debated by all candidates creating an atmosphere where listening can take place.

The NCSL provides tools, information, and resources to state legislators. They also serve as a major force supporting or opposing legislation in Congress that impacts the states. Nevada should be proud that our own State Senator Debbie Smith (D-Sparks) was installed as President this week.

The need for election reform is recognized as a major issue at all levels of government. The NCSL recognized the importance by including this panel discussion during their annual summit. All members of the panel agreed change is needed.  The 2015 Nevada legislative session can resolve this issue in Nevada by debating and passing the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act.