COLUMN: The process matters

In the past few months, the American public has seen the legislative process laid bare in an unprecedented manner.

Yes, we all know that deal brokering is a long standing practice in Congress. The difference this time is that the sweetheart deals, arm twisting and coercion have been made very public as this largely unpopular piece of legislation has been rammed through Congress.

An already disenchanted public has had a front row seat as 24/7 news coverage revealed just how revolting lawmaking can be. There is a saying that the two things you never want to see made are sausage and legislation. After watching this process play out, give me a tour of a sausage factory any day.

Apparently a lot of people feel the same way. A recent Gallup poll showed that 80 percent of those surveyed disapprove of the job Congress is doing.

Since the poll was taken before the final health care vote, a great deal of the displeasure would seem to be over the process itself and not the outcome. The American public clearly does not like how Congress does business. When faith and trust in our legislative branch is eroded to the point that 80 percent of the population disapproves, that is a serious issue.

Leading Democrats, including the President, have held the attitude throughout the health care debate that the end justifies the means. As Pelosi said earlier this year, “You go through the gate. If the gate's closed, you go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we'll pole vault in. If that doesn't work, we'll parachute in. But we're going to get health care reform passed for the American people.” By hook or crook, just get it done.

That is exactly why Congress currently has an abysmally low approval rating. This Congress is so disconnected with its constituents that its majority leaders spent more time considering legislative chicanery to achieve their goal than listening to the people they supposedly represent.

Poll after poll has shown the majority of the American people are worried about the financial implications of health care reform, are worried about the bureaucracy this bill creates and are worried that the health care system will deteriorate as a result of its passage.

A piece of legislation that is truly beneficial and truly good for the American people should pass through Congress easily and with broad, bipartisan support. A sound piece of legislation should not require passage by bribery, coercion or legislative trickery. The fact that passage of this bill required expensive promises, dire threats and rides on Air Force One to pass says a great deal about the content.

The American people are right to be concerned about the legislative process. Either we are a country in which the end justifies the means or we are a country that values honesty, integrity and virtue above all else. If our leadership is reflective of our values, then the recent events in Washington are a sad commentary on the principles the majority of Americans must hold dear.

Congress may have succeeded in passing health care legislation, but, in so doing, they have done irreparable damage to the public’s faith and trust in the democratic process. Just like health care reform, that damage will be felt for years to come.

Kristi Reed is a reporter for the Barrow Journal. She can be reached at kreed@barrowjournal.com.