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OK, I get it. There is something to be said for “divided government” — a government in which a single party does not control all branches of government (”Voting for gridlock might be the most rational thing you can do,” Strib Voices, Aug. 27).
But there’s also something to be said for an administration that can actually get something done to secure the border, address climate change or make housing more affordable.
D.J. Tice seems to think that the “gridlock zone” is a good thing — a safeguard against policies too far from the wishes of the median voter being forced upon the nation. But where does gridlock get us?
Here’s another idea: Rather than trying to game the system by voting for a president of one party and a Congress of another, vote for the people most willing to listen to the other side and reach compromises that make it possible to achieve positive results. Yes, I know, there are not enough of those kinds of people running for office, but we have to start somewhere.
Then, make those elected understand that we expect compromises that most Americans can live with and that we will vote them out of office if they don’t get the job done. Vote! But don’t stop there. Hold their feet to the fire.
And however far you lean left or right, admit that it is folly for your candidate to think they can simply impose your faction’s ideals on the majority. You may be certain you are correct, but don’t be too sure of that.