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Definitions of Political Terms
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1-26-05
Many citizens of the great state of Wyoming follow the actions and inactions of the
Wyoming Legislature and shake their heads in wonder; they can’t quite get their minds
around the political activities that occur up there under the golden dome.
Before I offer my observations, let me say that I don’t believe corruption is
endemic within the confines of our State Capitol. There may be citizens who are
convinced that the actions and inactions of the legislature are driven in part by direct
payoffs, but they’re wrong.
What we have at the Capitol is a group of people who would make great neighbors;
for the most part they’re cordial, helpful and would go out of their way to lend a hand to
a person in need. Unfortunately, this accumulation of good intentions does not translate
into the far-reaching progressive philosophy that Wyoming needs in order to bring about
the brightest future for the most people.
There are three key components of the Legislative attitude to always keep in mind
when trying to make heads or tails of the proceedings. First, the best description of the
thinking that dominates the discussions is “traditional”. Secondly, the overriding dynamic
within the Legislature could best be described as “don’t rock the boat”. Finally, the aspect
of human interaction most avoided in the proceedings is ”conflict”.
What we have in the Legislature is a group of fine folks who are afflicted with the
curse of traditional thinking. Traditional concepts are accepted without question, while
new ideas and progressive thoughts are viewed with suspicion and, for the most part,
automatically rejected. Traditional thinking is not always a negative dynamic of
course, but when the group in question has the responsibility of leading an entire state
into the future, it is an issue to consider.
Traditional thinking predominates in the legislature because the political system
filters out the progressive and independent thinkers before they can gain a foothold.
New, different, and independent thinking is given the cold shoulder at every opportunity.
Progressive thinking is a threat that must be stamped out because it is different and calls
into question the existing order. Traditional thinking protects an existing social order that
is sorely in need of reform!
Which puts the traditional thinking elected officials in the position of having the
responsibility of working through their own traditional viewpoints, considering the
progressive opinion, and representing what is best for all the people all the time. How
well they do that varies, but it is safe to say that many legislators are progressively
impaired.
“Don’t rock the boat’ is a practice followed every day within the legislative
walls. The power of the legislative leadership has become oppressive to the point where
participants in the process are zipping their lips for fear of incurring the wrath of those
further up the food chain. That’s true within the majority party, as well as within the
minority party, as well as within the ranks of the lobbyists, as well as among the general
public.
The retaliatory methods used by the leadership are well known to all that frequent the
Capitol. For members of the minority party, the biggest threat is that the majority party
leadership will unilaterally eliminate the bills that are sponsored by a “boat rocker”.
Within the majority party, that same threat exists as well as the possibility of getting
kicked off the ladder leading to a committee chairpersonship. The existing order must be
maintained!
Conflict is avoided because that’s just not the way we do things around here; we seek
and prefer social environments that are cordial and warm. The idea of challenging the
status quo and bringing down the wrath of the leadership, thereby creating an atmosphere
of ongoing conflict and bad feelings is an anathema to almost everybody in the legislative
ranks.
Most Wyomingites, even those in the Legislature, would much rather have a cordial
social environment than one with an undercurrent of conflict coursing through it.
Conflict makes everyone grumpy and mean, it creates a hostile work environment, and
people become uncomfortable. Believe it or not, within the confines of the Capitol, the
idea of political conflict is distasteful. I know that statement will strike some readers as
odd, considering the basis of a two party system is to have honest and open conflict, but
that’s exactly what is going on up at the seat of power.
This combination leads to unwillingness to take a progressive long-term look into
the future, and a corresponding tendency to repeat the mistakes of the past while
expecting different results. The people are not being well served by this environment.
So, fellow citizens, if and when you ponder the acts of the Wyoming Legislature, keep
my comments in mind. They will help you have a more accurate view of the motivations
of the ninety Legislators that vote on the hundreds of issues that affect your life each and
every day!
Bio; 1988 to 1992…State Representative from Natrona County
1993 to 1994…Lobbyist for the Wyoming Coalition against Domestic Violence
1994 to 2004…State Senator for District #28…Downtown Casper
Forester…Woodcutter…Peace Corps Volunteer
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