Days of compromise
Roy Johnson, Emporia
Saturday, December 13, 2008
AS FAR AS the Federal Government is concerned, I think the times in my life that were the most enjoyable were after World War II. I served nearly four years in the service and was discharged on Sept. 12, 1945. All the time I was in the service, I do not ever remember anyone being Democrat or Republican, but there sure were a lot of Americans.
President Eishenhower, who was a Republican, got the idea when he was in Germany for the interstate highway. When he was elected, that was one thing he sure recommended. He had a Democratic Congress, both in the House and Senate.
I would like to think that with two men, House Majority Leader Sam Rayburn and Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House, they had a few shots of Bourbon and ate steak and then President Eisenhower told them what he would like to see Congress pass. That was the interstate highway system. There was no politician to wait on. It was, “Just do it.” That was an example of what Congress and the president could do with compromise. ... What made this country great was compromise. I think both political parties favor the situation just as it is.
I wish we could return to the time when the government worked the best when we used the ideas from both parties. I am quite sure that neither the conservatives nor liberals have all the answers. I think we would be better off if we could get back to the Democrats and Republicans.
I am sure the liberals, by writing this letter, will accuse me of being a conservative and visa versa. I am neither one. I am an individual. I vote for the best candidate, no matter what political party he favors.
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Excellent notion sir!
December 13, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
Some of the stuff floated in Congress these days is best not passed. The system still works because the far left and far right are both marginalized. The problem is less the rank and file than it is the antagonistic leadership of both parties. Career politicians remain politically active.
December 13, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcakmon (anonymous) says...
Well said, Roy! I agree with you 100%.
December 13, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
Well done, Roy! Well written, composed and right on target!
And, one more thing, thank you for your service to the country.
December 13, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
GREAT read!
I'd like to see more compromise in government as well. I'd like to see more than two parties as well. More parties, more ideas, more options. I know this is only a dream and will never come true because we have only had the two for so long. It's funny how people are so loyal to one and hate the other so much, yet the two are so similar.
Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us. How many times have we been fooled by these two? I finally "wised up" and threw away my vote on a third party.
December 13, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
Good read! I agree with most everything in your letter! It's interesting, right now the History Channel is doing a special on FDR. FASCINATING stuff! Also, I would like to point out that both the Democrats AND Republicans asked Ike to be the front-runner for their parties.
December 13, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
I agree, now let's get term limits in place so we can get rid of career politicians.
December 15, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )