POTUS seeks compromise
Compromise is not a four-letter word.
Effective legislation requires that all sides seek common ground. Their aim is to advance the agenda for the jurisdiction they are governing. In this context, that jurisdiction happens to be the United States of America.
To that end, congressional progressives and moderates (within the Democratic caucus) are haggling over the extent of President Biden’s Build Back Better legislative agenda.
Biden is signaling a willingness to back away from the $3.5 trillion price tag he insisted on initially. That’s his nod to the moderate wing among congressional Democrats. The president, though, is digging in on some key progressive favorites, such as climate change. Therein lies President Biden’s adherence to the progressive agenda.
Will either side see the other’s view? I hope so.
I happen to be a “good government” kind of fellow. I believe good government must include an ability and a willingness to compromise. I want the two sides within the Democrats’ congressional caucus to find that commonality.
I would wish that Republicans would join this discussion. Except that the GOP already has cleansed its mitts of anything to do with President Biden’s agenda. The “O” in Grand Old Party has been replaced by “Obstructionist.” If that is the game Republicans plan to play, then their sideline silence will have to suffice while Democrats seek to actually govern.
May the Democrats, then, find their way to establishing a good-government agenda.