The Times and Democrat - TUESDAY'S EDITORIAL

Graham has right approach to government

~ the issue ~

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s role

~ Our opinion ~

S.C. lawmaker right to push for cooperation

South Carolina U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham isn’t waiting to see what the changes in Washington will mean. He’s being proactive in pushing for bipartisan government.

Criticized in some circles as a lawmaker too willing to compromise with Democrats over issues such as judgeships and buck the president on the matter of trials and punishment for detainees in the war on terrorism, Graham says now that his ability to work across the aisle may be in demand.

“I think my political profile for the last four years fits the next two years very well,” he told The Associated Press after the Nov. 7 elections. “I think my stock and my ability has gone up and my ability to affect public policy is as great as it has ever been.”

That’s good news for South Carolina and good news for the country. It is time for less confrontation and more cooperation as our government tackles major issues in difficult times.

Make no mistake, however, about Graham’s political roots. He’s a Republican and is now using his position as a moderate to push for change from within his own party.

He says Republicans lost the election more than Democrats won it.

“If there’s one lesson to be learned from Tuesday night, it is Republicans win when we act like Republicans. We get into trouble when we don’t,” Graham wrote in an article for South Carolina newspapers.

“Some of our successes such as cutting taxes, appointing conservative Supreme Court and federal court judges, banning partial-birth abortion, and class-action and bankruptcy reform were washed away by corruption scandals and fiscally irresponsible behavior.”

Graham says Iraq and the war were a factor, but he notes that Sen. Joe Lieberman was elected as an independent despite his support for the war. “Connecticut voters may have disagreed with his war position but they believe he took a principled stand putting the best interests of the country above political party. Conversely, many Americans believe the Republican majority chose self-interest over the common good.”

From there, Graham outlines what he believes is a formula for Republicans to rebound:

n Make budget reform and tax simplification top priorities. Push for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution to rein in Congress’ spending.

n Rein in the practice of congressional earmarks. “Alaska’s Bridge to Nowhere – a $250 million bridge to benefit 50 people – is a classic example of how we’ve lost our way.”

n Push congressional Democrats to ensure tax cuts are extended and tax relief continues in coming years.

n Return to Social Security reform. Put all options on the table including innovation to solve Social Security’s looming bankruptcy.

n Solve immigration problems. Legislation should include better border security, employment verification requirements, punishment for those in the country illegally and a guest worker program. “Both amnesty and the idea we are going to deport 12 million people should be rejected as unworkable.”

n Become energy independent. “Reliance on Middle East oil poses a threat to our economy and creates national security concerns as well. Global climate change is real and nuclear energy, hydrogen and other alternative sources of energy provide an opportunity to address both national security and environmental concerns.”

n The war in Iraq is front and center in efforts to win the global War on Terror. Make a World War II commitment to winning in Iraq and ensure the American people fully understand what is on the line should we fail. “Unfortunately, we have treated Iraq more as a police action than the central battlefront.”

n Put more troops on the ground in Iraq to improve the security situation, enlist sympathetic nations in the region to take ownership of the outcome, and push the Iraqi leadership to move quickly to take over control of the country. Failure in Iraq empowers Iran and will lead to regional chaos.

n Recruit another 50,000 troops in the Army and Marine Corps. Provide them with better benefits.

The senator’s proposals on Iraq and troop strength, as well as other issues, are certainly open to debate. And that is exactly what should happen. The time for major decisions being made by a small power circle that is only influenced from within is in the past.

E-mail this page

Print version

Comments:

Add Your Own Comments ?