I see the governor of Kentucky is raising the minimum wage through Executive Action. And I see the problem the President's immigration Executive Action has created. In both cases, GOP representatives are outraged at the end around the legislative process. No matter how much I agree with the policy the executive action is aimed at, what good is it really, if the next GOP leader can undo it with an Executive Action and can tie it up in a court process.
No matter how frustrated one is with the lack of progress on issues of importance, we have to respect the legislative process. It is a foundation of our democracy. We don't have a parliamentary system, for better or worse, and I generally come down on the better side of that consideration.
David Brook's column today focuses on another side of that overriding issue in American politics and one this column has been dedicated to from the start. The need for the middle to have a voice and be respected in the policy process.
The middle is silent in this current process drowned out by shrill of partisan politics which has led to gridlock, except when the courts or voters, through referendum, can take a lead.
We can only hope that the Democratic presidential candidates can rile up the base in the primaries and then do the traditional tack back to the middle for the election and governing.
David does not seem optimistic that will happen.
Link to David Brooks column
Meanwhile, hats off to the voters in Turkey for stuffing Erdogan megalomaniac desires. Maybe, we will start to see a cut off of Turkish support for ISIS, which seems to have been a driving desire of the voters.
And hats off to the G7 leaders for continuing the economic sanctions against Russia for Putin's megalomaniac desires in the Ukraine. And, please do not forget, that it was Russia that shot down the Malaysian Air jumbo jet killing everyone on board. It is really too bad Putin cannot be put in jail for that.
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