A Pathway to Political Sanity

Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein previously published a most direct indictment of the Republican Party when they essentially assigned them with the blame for the congressional polarization.

Now, they have focused on what can be done to make matters better. The column is most helpful since it essentially reviews and rebuts all the possible solutions offered by others and the proceed to suggest what they consider to be avenues to improvement.

They identify four possible ways to ameliorate the political polarization.

1. Realistic Campaign finance reform
2. Converting votes into seats
3. Restoring majority rule in the Senate
4. Expanding the electorate

Campaign finance reform has been discussed often. They emphasize the need for openness and transparency in who is doing the funding. They (and I agree) cannot foresee that the Supreme Court will alter its views of campaign financing. There is no hope that any real control over the amount raised or how it is used will be enacted. I do not see this recommendation as significantly different from what others have tried to articulate.

Converting votes into seats is a real possibility. California has led the way to change how congressional districts are drawn. Using a non-political commission will increase the possibility that districts will reflect the population rather than current elected officials. 

I have previously lamented the misuse of the filibuster rule. I recognize that enabling the majority to "rule" may not result in outcomes that are consistent with my views, but that is the inherent purpose of a democracy. Elections make a difference.

Expanding the electorate focused on an area that was new to me. Recognizing that some nations, e.g., Australia, have very high voter turnout, they concluded that we should adopt financial encouragement so that people would vote, e.g., establish a national lottery for voters. Other mechanisms could help, but the bottom line is that the current situation results in those highly committed to extremes voting far more than those with moderate views. Expanding the electorate would temporize the outcome. There would be more moderates elected and moderate views would be more reflected in all elected officials if they wanted to remain in office.

Mann and Ornstein have done a service by their being so forthright about the problems confronting the nation.