“Feeling the Paine”

Post #37

Whether it was in junior high school (now called middle school) or high school, we each may have some dim memories of one of our country’s founders, Thomas Paine.  His essays in support of independence from Great Britain were compiled into a volume known as “Common Sense.”

The topics are much different today, but the title is still appropriate.  How much common sense is there in our government today?  In my view, it is too often absent from our deliberations.  There are the ideological or partisan lines that are difficult for many to cross.  Then there are various interest groups that may weigh in on the debates.  Who stops to think about what makes sense for the people being represented?

I remember when, as a member of the House of Delegates, I joined the debate over a bill to lengthen the period of time allowed for a pull date on a carton of milk.  It was in the financial interest of farmers and grocers if milk didn’t need to be discarded so quickly.  The bill was sailing through the legislative process, when I decided to stand and speak.  All I could envision was a young family on a tight budget trying to provide nourishment to young kids.  How unfair it would be for them to find rancid milk in their refrigerator more often with this new proposal!  One of the most meaningful things a reporter has ever written about me was as a result of that debate.  He opined that I had spoken up for a forgotten “special interest group”—the consumer.

Voters and interest groups want to typecast candidates.  Are you more or less liberal/conservative than the alternative candidate?  Sometimes, the answer is neither.  Or both.  Or “it depends.”  I think we need to return common sense to our legislative bodies.  Ask the hard questions, weigh what makes sense for the people you represent, and vote accordingly.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What sort of decision-making factors do you believe drives our legislatures?  Do most of its decisions seem practical to you?  Send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#37) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.