CORBIN —
There are dysfunctional legislatures … and then there’s dysfunctional thinking by legislators.
Recently, the two embraced one another on the TV screen when Pure Politics host Ryan Alessi interviewed Jeff Donohue, who defeated incumbent Rep. Wade Hurt in the May Democratic primary for the 37th House District seat.
With his victory, Donohue, by virtue of a lack of Republican opposition, became the representative-elect.
He’s a former labor-union negotiator who told Alessi that he wants to put his negotiating skills to work in the legislature, which has “been dysfunctional,” and “need[s] to be on the same page.”
But while talking about fixing Frankfort’s dysfunction is politically correct talk, it may be the wrong goal.
There is, as a colleague of mine pointed out, “designed dysfunctionality.” Our founders actually meant for some “dysfunction” to protect the people by forcing a certain amount of gridlock upon those in power through checks and balances established by our Constitution in the form of separate branches of government and the legislative process.
Sure, we’d all rather have a government that works well to serve and protect its constituents. But too often, this romanticized notion expressed by Donohue and others of getting everyone “on the same page” involves the entirely wrong chapter.
For instance, everyone in the legislature could get “on the same page” and mandate tax increases to fix our budget problems. In that case, I would rather have the dysfunctional system that Donohue rails against. Wouldn’t you?
Clearly, the Kentucky General Assembly’s most defective ritual is the biennial budget process, where many of the critical spending decisions are made in secret– out of the purview of most the press and even many legislators. It’s likely even Donohue – unless he’s on the budget committee – will be excluded.
Not a problem, Donohue said.
As a union negotiator, he notes that he lived by the motto: “You can’t negotiate on the floor. There are times you have to sit behind closed doors and you clear out the baggage and you’re able to come to a common resolve.”
To his credit, Donohue admitted that as a newcomer: “I’ve got a lot to learn.”
Lesson Number One: There’s a significant difference between his union-shop universe and the Kentucky General Assembly.
Negotiating behind closed doors while representing his union buddies in Louisville may be acceptable in his former life. Elected officials horse trading with our tax dollars – and with as little transparency as possible – is not.
Whenever this difference is noted, it greatly annoys those uninformed about the dichotomy between public agencies and private groups.
For instance, ideological opponents will challenge me on this point by saying: “You claim to stand strongly for transparency, yet your organization is not transparent – you won’t tell us where your donations come from.”
That’s right, because the Bluegrass Institute – my employer – accepts no government funding or tax dollars. So it’s none of the public’s business where those dollars come from.
Donohue wouldn’t understand.
He was obviously uncomfortable as Alessi pressed him further about the lack of transparency in the budget process.
Not wanting to upset “his fellow administrators down there” – as he referred to other legislators – Donohue tried another tactic, claiming that because he represents voters who elected him, “I’m their representative there, so technically it’s not behind closed doors.”
Only in Frankfort or Washington do “closed doors” not mean “closed doors” for the political elites.
At least I’m glad to see Donohue being so transparent about not being transparent. Glad in the sense of knowing for sure which page he’s on. The sooner that page is turned, the better.
Jim Waters is vice president of policy and communications for the Bluegrass Institute, Kentucky’s free-market think tank. Reach him at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com. Read previously published columns at www.bipps.org.
Editorials
Related Photos
-
Jim Waters
Discussion
A closed door by any other name…
- Editorials
-
-
Of Democrats and Lennon
My daughter inherited few things from her dad, but one is a love for The Beatles. This weekend she attended a concert featuring Paul McCartney, the second time she’s seen a live performance by the former Beatle. I think she enjoys lording it over me as much as being there.
-
The courageous story of Michelle Lanham
“Imagine going to sleep Wednesday morning and waking up Thursday afternoon. Picture waking up to a hospital room full of people and being told that you have a tumor in your brain and that your kidneys have shut down... once again, your days are numbered. Your eyeballs are swollen to the point that your eyelids can’t close, you find out that your children are distressed, your family is distressed, you aren’t even supposed to be awake... what would you do?”
-
A better light at a better price
Many of us may have read about light bulbs recently (Time, May 20). The top bulb is the LED at $12.97 giving 25,000 hours of light; with normal use lasting for decades.
-
One-size-fits-every-state curriculum mandates just the latest federal education fiasco
The latest threat to our rights as Kentucky parents to educate our children in ways that best fit each child’s needs comes from a federally imposed, one-size-fits-every-state educational curriculum known as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
-
Growing up with Dad
Someone close to me was recently divorced. It was a tough battle because children were involved, but necessary for a myriad of reasons. But what bothers me is those children will not have memories to fall back on when they’re adults about times spent with their father.
-
Happy Father’s Day to Mom
A couple of years ago, Louisville political activist Mary John Celletti posted on her Facebook page that she got a Father’s Day present from her son Patrick. He said she had been the mother and father in his life.
-
It is no wonder the devil was a snake
Last week, I told you all about my riding lawnmower adventures. Just a week later, my front yard saw even more action.
-
Double mastectomy and the price of life
Was this really necessary? Has fear overcome reason? Is it not mutilating one’s body when it is presently healthy irrational and capricious?
-
‘Life is’ ... or ‘is not’ a lot of things
“Life is” a busy thing that keeps us hopping, going and looking for a resting point.
-
Move Laurel County graduation to Corbin
It’s time to start thinking out of the cracker jack box and solve the overcrowding problem during graduation ceremonies at both North Laurel and South Laurel High Schools.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
