Though I am better known as chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, by day I am an attorney representing Maine employees in workplace disputes. Some cases are resolved in formal mediation, and there is a well-known mediator in my field whose mantra is “best ideas win” – meaning that successful conflict resolution demands exploring every idea and choosing the best ones, no matter who thinks of the idea first.
It’s that mantra that I’m thinking about after reading a BDN editorial advising the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate how they should proceed in the 126th Legislature. The BDN urges Democrats “to engage with Republicans and achieve strong legislative consensus that could overturn vetoes. Their challenge is to outline specific economic policies to pursue and rebuild relationships with Republicans after the campaign.”
The BDN was not arguing that bipartisanship is more important than proposing sound bills, and I have no problem with “consensus.” But the overall idea of the need to get everyone to agree highlights a fundamental flaw in an increasingly popular political theory: that “consensus” and “bipartisanship” in government are more important than developing good policy. Democrats know better. We know that government isn’t about a political score card or achieving a unanimous vote on a bill. It’s about making people’s lives better.
We know that passing “bipartisan legislation” means nothing it if it doesn’t do anything to move Maine forward. And we know that our paramount goals as the new majority in the Legislature, whether they be achieved through consensus or not, have to be focused on getting our economy back on track, putting money in the pockets of working and middle class families, increasing access to affordable health care and ensuring each generation has more opportunities than the last.
It’s with that focus and spirit that Democrats will act in the 126th Legislature. We’ll let ideas, values and the voice of Maine people be our guide. If someone from another party comes up with a good idea, we’ll work on it because we know our challenges are too great right now to dismiss good ideas because of the source. The flip side of this is just as important, though. Bad ideas will be rejected, also regardless of source. And “coming together” will not be exalted over finding real solutions to our problems.
We have an opportunity right now to leave behind the tired emphasis on the business and process of politics. If we learned anything from voters this year, it’s that their primary concerns have nothing to do with partisanship or bipartisanship. Maine people care most about whether or not their government is doing something to advance the health and security of the citizenry.
Can the process be improved? Of course. To that end, Democrats will be courteous, listen to anyone willing to work with us and vote for good ideas. We will focus on developing reasonable and innovative solutions to our problems and then will work with anyone – from either party – on their enactment.
If the GOP offers a compromise that still preserves a core idea and still reflects our values, we’ll take it. But, if the GOP retrenches and offers only more of the same unpopular ideas that we saw last session, we’ll say no. Either way, we will stay disciplined about promoting reform and work with the people of Maine on the best approach.
In the end, Gov. Paul LePage and his allies might never agree to a Democratic idea. It will be interesting to see how what’s left of their legislative caucuses respond to this year’s defeat, but it truly would surprise no one if they preferred stalemate to progress.
If that happens, we owe it to Maine voters to not complain. The public simply doesn’t want to hear about under-the-dome problems. If a bill is a good idea that will help people – and the GOP won’t move, even to a middle ground position – we’ll work around them by engaging the people of Maine one door at a time and one conversation at a time, just like we did this election.
We’ll build popular support across the state, and, in the end, we’ll leave it to Maine voters to decide if a good idea fails or succeeds. So, here’s to the upcoming session. May the best ideas win.
Ben Grant is chairman of the Maine Democratic Party.
These words of contempt gives Maine business leaders and investors great pause considering deliberation with respect to creating jobs in Maine.
I suspect any Maine business leader that passes up the opportunity to create a job when their bottom line demands that they create a job, isn’t worth his salt… Anyone who does so out of sour grapes because the dems won back the legislature shouldn’t be in business in the first place and likely won’t be for very long if the company’s board of directors has anything to say about it. Just sayin’…
Small business has always had champions in Democrats. Well, small businesses that treat their employees well anyway. If you are a profit-taker at the expense of your employees, then no you will not get much support from Ds.
Well at least Ben Grant is being honest about the D’s intentions. No working with the other side, he’ll go around them, and no cooperation. Now the Maine people who voted D will get what they asked for. Not pretty. The Gov has veto power, and he will use it if the D’s can’t figure out how to work with the R’s. No more steamrolling of D ideas and spending in Augusta.
I think he was talking about the ALEC inspired bills we saw last legislative session that were good only for out of state corporate interests like for profit insurance companies and for profit schools and for profit prisons. Those kind of things.
Guess you didn’t read the article very well. He repeatedly said that Democrats, as they always have, will work with ANYONE who has good ideas that are good for the state and reflect our values. BUT, the voters also CLEARLY rejected the right wing agenda of the TeaRadicals pushed by ALEC, the Heritage Foundation, the Koch Brothers, and Grover Norquist. Mainers DO NOT WANT THAT, and we aren’t going there. Mainers also very clearly said that they did not like the bombastic approach of Paul LePage and want a serious check and balance placed on him. Democrats are intent on improving the economy and working on the budget in SMART and FAIR ways that reflect Maine values. Just giving more tax cuts to those making $250,000 a year or more is not the way to grow an economy. You do that with public/private cooperation and investment in the structures that make for a better economy. Slashing environmental regulations, raising the costs and access to healthcare for rural Mainers, and trying to limit voting rights is NOT what Mainers want and does NOT reflect our values. Republicans and LePage better figure out just why they got THRASHED at the polls last week. It is because their policies and approach to governing is NOT LIKED and all too often does NOT REFLECT MAINE VALUES. The Republicans need to return to their more moderate roots and sincerely come to the table to meet in the middle and support policies that are supported by the large majority of the people of Maine.
Leaders of Ds, after decrying lack of compromise, promise the same in return.
compromise is how bad bills get passed, Example; I will only vote for your clean water bill if I can attach my bill to the side of it.. Happens all the time and something as simple a a clean water bill may have 100 side bills attached to it. maybe even one that allows a dump to be placed ontop of a aquifer.. and this is compromise from one party only, Just think what would happen if both parties were needed to pass a bill. .. That is why compromise is a bad thing amoung politicans. Susan Collins compromised for train money and sold us down the drain by supporting the Patriot act.
So how would you propose the laws you like get passed?
One at a time on merit.. Regular folk would look at the title and say Hey!! good idea pass it.. When passing a bill that has riders on it’s shirt tales bills nobody on either side would pass, yet someone is owed a favor. So bills should not allow other bills to be attached to them. and P.S. how many new laws do we need anyway?
Hmmm, rather than reading “no compromise” in this, what I read was… may the best ideas win. As an independent, un-enrolled voter, that sounds reasonable. Could it be that other commenters here are afraid of ideas that serve the most people in Maine, not just those few of means and resources? I think it will be very interesting to watch which republicans are able to work with the dems. Not a few repubs have been less than enthusiastic with the theatrics and grandstanding of the Gov’nah, or departing (whew, finally…) Charlie Webster.
I look forward to seeing who the “sticks in the mud” are and who will be willing to move sound policy and the state forward…
Keep in mind these Rs elected as their leader a card carrying member of ALEC,.
Glad to hear we will not see any ALEC model bills getting passed. Hope a few get repealed. But watch out. ALEC member extraordinaire is the newly elected minority leader. That should tell you where the Rs intentions are.
The ALEC Boogeyman is truly everywhere.
Not a fantasy figure. Corporate control of consumer and taxpayer dollars is their goal. Not sustainability. Maximization of profits at the expense of consumers and taxpayers. You can educate yourself here: http://www.alecexposed.org.
I’ve seen the site. Somewhat informative and immensely entertaining.
Kinda like hearing a pig with its face buried in a bushel basket complain about an elephant eating too many peanuts.
And very effective. 41 companies have ended their affiliation with ALEC. And, a library of model bills that allow us to compare and contrast bills introduced by Maine legislators are available. I hope the Ds make use of the library as they review bills introduced by Rs since their chosen leader is an ALEC member and sits on a least one of their task forces. Especially be watching for the bills listed under Telecommunications and IT (http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/Bills_Affecting_Worker_and_Consumer_Rights_and_More#Telecommunications_.26_IT) because you just might see your cable and broadband services changed to favor providers not customers or taxpayers.
Just a day or two after getting THRASHED in a decisive election, Paul LePage decided to ONCE AGAIN shoot off his mouth in public and BASH our public schools and BASH a comprehensive alternative energy program for the state while at the same time saying he is more interested in “agitating” than leading. The voters spoke loudly and clearly. They do not approve of the Lepage/ALEC/Heritage Foundation/Koch Brothers/TeaRadical agenda and they want to return to moderation, progress, and MAINE VALUES. This was also a clear repudiation of the LePage style of governance and they want a serious check and balance placed on him. READ this piece entirely and fairly. Grant CLEARLY says that Democrats absolutely want to work with Republicans but that the standard is GOOD GOVERNANCE and POLICIES THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE STATE. ALL good ideas will be considered. Democrats and Republicans have always found ways to work together on most issues, but the TeaRadical far right wing social and economic agenda is BAD for Maine, flies in the face of our values, and is OFF the table. Republicans need to return to their moderate roots and meet in the middle with good policy ideas again that reflect good governance and Maine values, not the values of Grover Norquist, the Koch Brothers, ALEC, the Heritage Center, and the other extreme elements in their party. THESE were SOUNDLY REJECTED by the voters. And Mr. LePage needs to CALM DOWN and realize that he is supposed to be a statesman and a rational leader, not an “angry agitator”.
When will we hear about these plans concerning
” putting money in the pockets of working and middle class families, increasing access to affordable health care and ensuring each generation has more opportunities than the last”
No one in this state wishes the opposite to that statement. Stop crowing and start working, we are waiting.