Republican dysfunction is a "no-excuse" mentality: MAGA extremism is dangerous
Echo opinion by Pat Ryan and Chris Deluzio published in the New Jersey Herald:
Also, it is what animated our desire to serve our communities in Congress.
Knowing full well the fragile state of our democracy, we came in optimistic that patriots from both parties would also recognize the gravity of the moment. That they would be willing to undertake the hard work necessary to find common purpose and common ground; that together, we could navigate this perilous period and come out the other side better, stronger, and more united.
What weâve encountered instead, though, is even more chaos, division and dysfunction than we anticipated â fueled in large part by the growing spread of MAGA extremism. No shortage of ink has been spilled on what got us here, and we will not dip further into the bitter partisanship that led to this moment. All that matters is where we are now, and the facts are clear.
Israel, our most critical ally in the Middle East, is fighting an existential war for its survival, and suffering in the region is mounting. Ukraine is courageously fighting to defeat Russian aggression in the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. Our government is less than 40 days away from a devastating shutdown that would close Social Security offices, stop paying our troops, and take food away from hungry kids. Our adversaries, from China to Russia, are watching with glee.
And yet, because the GOP is locked in a bitter civil war, the office of Speaker of the House remains vacant, paralyzing the legislative branch at the very moment action is needed most.
As we talk with constituents across our districts (both of which are considered âswing districtsâ by political pundits), folks are disgusted, disappointed and, most of all, worried. Worried that the country they love wonât be there for their children. Worried that Washington is so broken that politicians would let the foundations of our democracy crumble rather than work together to deliver for the people.
And yet, because the GOP is locked in a bitter civil war, the office of Speaker of the House remains vacant, paralyzing the legislative branch at the very moment action is needed most.
As we talk with constituents across our districts (both of which are considered âswing districtsâ by political pundits), folks are disgusted, disappointed and, most of all, worried. Worried that the country they love wonât be there for their children. Worried that Washington is so broken that politicians would let the foundations of our democracy crumble rather than work together to deliver for the people.
The last nine months of chaos have only served to weaken Americansâ already dismal faith in our government. And they donât want to hear any more excuses. They want to see results, to see us get out of this political quagmire and finally get our country moving in the right direction again. The American people are asking their elected officials to put country ahead of party, and officials will have to answer: yes, no, or no excuse.
When we say that in Washington, especially to those who have been around the block more, people dismiss it â attributing it to some sort of unfounded optimism or naivete. We reject that cynical premise. The failed, partisan approach that got us here is simply not an option. This is the very moment where we need leaders who donât just talk about putting country before party, we need those who take action.
That is why we are calling on our colleagues, from both parties, to rise above the partisanship. To stop behaving like politicians, and start acting like Patriots. To craft a true bipartisan path forward.
While a path forward may feel impossible, weâve been in this situation before. And we know that in times of contention when leaders exemplify our collective duty as Americans to âsummon our better angels,â we can find common ground to stand upon together.
This of course begs the natural question: What would this bipartisan path forward look like? Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries eloquently laid out this argument just a week ago. Whether it be a consensus candidate for Speaker coming forward that could earn support across the aisle, developing a unity government similar to what our Israeli allies just did, or getting five brave Republicans to cross the aisle to vote with Democrats for Jeffries â thereâs no shortage of procedural pathways. What is lacking is political courage.
Right now, the country cannot afford cowardice or partisan hacks putting their interests before the common good. Americans have long come together when patriotism demanded it, and we are ready to do our part to meet this moment.
If our brave troops in harmâs way can band together to accomplish a mission, then our elected political leaders ought to do the same.
Rep. Pat Ryan, D-New York-18, and Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pennsylvnia-17, are Iraq War veterans and freshmen Members of the House of Representatives. Both are Democrats.
That is why we are calling on our colleagues, from both parties, to rise above the partisanship. To stop behaving like politicians, and start acting like Patriots. To craft a true bipartisan path forward.
While a path forward may feel impossible, weâve been in this situation before. And we know that in times of contention when leaders exemplify our collective duty as Americans to âsummon our better angels,â we can find common ground to stand upon together.
This of course begs the natural question: What would this bipartisan path forward look like? Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries eloquently laid out this argument just a week ago. Whether it be a consensus candidate for Speaker coming forward that could earn support across the aisle, developing a unity government similar to what our Israeli allies just did, or getting five brave Republicans to cross the aisle to vote with Democrats for Jeffries â thereâs no shortage of procedural pathways. What is lacking is political courage.
Right now, the country cannot afford cowardice or partisan hacks putting their interests before the common good. Americans have long come together when patriotism demanded it, and we are ready to do our part to meet this moment.
If our brave troops in harmâs way can band together to accomplish a mission, then our elected political leaders ought to do the same.
Rep. Pat Ryan, D-New York-18, and Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pennsylvnia-17, are Iraq War veterans and freshmen Members of the House of Representatives. Both are Democrats.
Labels: Chris Deluzio, New Jersey Herald, Pay Ryan, political courage
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