Politicians should try to work together

There will be many barrels of printer's ink bought and used to print newspapers before we know who will be the official political parties' candidates for presidential nomination next year.

So far, the Democrats have lost a couple of the lesser known candidates but that is only a sign of having too many to start the effort to gain the nomination. Maybe they were influenced by the number of candidates seeking the Republican nomination four years ago. It may help introduce some new faces to the voters, but one is hard pressed not to wonder where they go after they drop out. I have always felt a sitting elected person like a state governor or a United States Senator should be required to give up their seat to run for the White House.

Of course, the major political parties claim that would exclude some of our most qualified candidates who would not risk the position they hold to become a candidate. A senator who is protected for the period beyond the election isn't giving up very much and is taking little to no risk at all. That doesn't seem fair to the other candidates in my "Fair Play" book.

We have tried to stay unbiased as Donald Trump continues his campaign to embarrass himself, but he doesn't make it easy. For someone who long ago planned to run for the office of the President of the United States, it should not be unfair to expect him to have a better understanding of the available talent in Washington from which to select his inner circle or staff. He apparently is not a good judge of character or does not show much respect for those he works with in sensitive positions. As an observer from the heartland of our nation, the White House does not appear to be a desirable place to work.

When the historians write Trump's legacy, it might not be flattering to the image he would like to leave. He has accomplished a great deal in the eyes of the majority of those who supported him and I'm sure most of his base still expects him to serve another term. Only the next year will tell us how many of his followers prefer his antics to the Democrat's choice for his opponent in the election.

As an interested observer who recognizes my presidential vote is really insignificant in the final tally, I can't help questioning the Democratic Party, or the House of Representatives led by Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, pursuing an impeachment investigation about Trump's activities. Don't they realize he can self-destruct without their help? It would seem the Democrats show more interest in making Trump look "bad" than they show in producing meaningful change in our laws, or promoting a qualified Democratic candidate.

Our television newscasts are too frequently covering individuals headed to closed sessions of House investigations. Trump is accused of supposed wrong-doing and the party in control is the very Democrats who should be more interested in how they appear to their constituents than being seen in a brief news conference justifying their actions and spending tax payers' dollars.

As a citizen and tax payer, it would make me feel a lot better if there was more effort for the two major political parties to work together to improve our government rather than fight with each other in television, newspapers and yes, relying on Twitter, to embarrass each other. It really gets tiresome listening to each party blame the other for the lack of legislative progress. The Democratic House and the Republican-led Senate are as ineffective as they were when both were controlled by the same political party.

•••

Editor's note: Leo Lynch, an award-winning columnist, is a native of Benton County and has deep roots in northwest Arkansas. The opinions expressed are those of the author. He is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace.

Editorial on 11/06/2019