Working across the aisle matters
OCTOBER 10, 2010
There are some in Congress today and others who are running for office who reject compromise and have even pledged not to talk with members of the other party. This is not how democracy works.
This became even clearer to m’e last week. While in Washington, D.C. on business, I exited a Metrorail station and scanned the newspaper stands outside. On the front page of one paper was a photo and story on Lt. Ted Stevens, United States Army Air Force, and the Senator from Alaska. He was being buried in Arlington that day with full military honors befitting his service as a pilot flying C-46s over the “Hump,” the Himalayas, from India to China in World War II. Among the many attending the services were over fifty sitting Senators, there to pay their respects.
As I looked at the front page, my thoughts went back to my first tour in the Pentagon in the 80s and continued though my final day there in 2008. During that time I observed a remarkable partnership between Sen. Stevens, a staunch Republican, and Sen. Daniel Inouye, a progressive Democrat. Inouye had also served in WWII in the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In Italy he lost an arm and won the Congressional Medal of Honor even as his fellow Japanese-Americans languished in internment camps across the western United States.
Both served on the Senate Appropriations Committee and eventually rose to top leadership positions. When the Republicans were in power, Stevens was the committee chairman and Inouye was the ranking member. When the Democrats held the majority, the positions were reversed. What was remarkable was the consistent approach of both to Congress’s most sacred trust, the defense of our great nation. Each worked with the other, keeping the best interests of this country as their priority. This was not a compromise of the principles of either senator, but rather principled compromise to ensure our national security. This bi-partisan team, a Republican and a Democrat, served our democracy well and played a large part in building the exceptionally manned, equipped, and trained military we have today.
Hitler once said that the United States was a “nation of mongrel dogs.” Though he meant that to be a condemnation of America, I take it as a compliment. We are a diverse country with many different races, cultural heritages and religions. That is our strength. But it is our strength only as long as we are tolerant and respectful of each other’s views and beliefs while giving serious consideration to different perspectives. And, yes, it requires talking with people who don’t look, feel and act as we do; and it also requires compromise.
I think the cooperation of Stevens and Inouye is an example for our two senators, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, and our Congressman John Tanner. This is an election year with emotions running high, but vital issues face our nation and demand congressional action. In particular, before the end of the year, Congress needs to pass the appropriations bills, to decide on whether to extend the Bush era tax cuts in part or entirely and to ratify the START Treaty. I urge these three Tennessee leaders to continue to reach out and to work with the other side to make our democratic processes work for us. Our nation deserves no less.
After 36 years in the United States Marine Corps, John “Glad” Castellaw retired as a Lieutenant General and returned to the family farm in Crockett County. He can be contacted atjohncastellaw@comcast.net.
