A Rebuke Of One Is Not An Endorsement Of Another
Yesterday’s election results are coming in. Not exactly fast and furious, but more like the election in my own district: a steady flow of results, with enough suspense to keep people checking their phones every five minutes.
Across the country, there have been some impressive, and in certain cases rather surprising, results. Apparently, the people have spoken. And judging by some of the outcomes, they aren’t particularly thrilled with what they’ve been hearing from their elected representatives lately.
One thing that stands out is the number of voters who appear to have crossed party lines. Much like the 2024 election, people weren’t necessarily voting for the party they traditionally support. They were voting for something different. Or, perhaps more accurately, they were voting against something they no longer wanted.
There is an important distinction here, and one that I hope those celebrating their victories understand.
A rebuke of one is not an endorsement of another.
Congratulations to everyone who won. Enjoy the moment. Have the balloons, the confetti, the victory speeches and whatever celebratory beverages your campaign budget allows. But once the balloons deflate and the campaign signs come down, it’s time to get to work.
You know, that little thing we hired you to do.
We didn’t elect you to continue the same political circus with a different collection of performers. We didn’t send you to Washington or our state capitals to spend the next several years conducting endless investigations, attacking the entire opposing party or finding new creative ways to blame someone else for everything that goes wrong.
We have enough reality television already. We don’t need Congress auditioning for another season.
We want results. Real results.
We want relief in our pocketbooks. We want job creation and an economy that provides opportunities for people trying to get ahead. We want our relationships with allied nations restored and strengthened. We want government officials who understand that the problems facing Americans don’t magically disappear because the person sitting across the aisle has a different political affiliation.
And here’s a radical concept: common sense.
I know, I know. In today’s political environment, common sense is practically a contraband substance. But perhaps we should try bringing some back into the building.
Part of that means elected officials need to reject the idea that their counterparts in the other party are foreign adversaries intent on destroying America. They are Americans who happen to have different opinions about how the country should be governed.
That distinction used to be fairly obvious. Apparently, it now requires a committee hearing.
It’s also time for some new leadership. We need people who are willing to work with others, not those who have spent decades perfecting the art of political warfare. Some of our longtime political leaders have become so entrenched in their own grievances that they seem incapable of seeing anything beyond the next opportunity to defeat the other side.
At some point, it’s time to pass the baton.
Leadership should be about moving the country forward, not protecting a political throne. We need leaders who understand that their job isn’t to make their party look good. Their job is to make the country better.
The two parties don’t have to agree on everything. That would be unrealistic, and frankly, rather boring. But they do need to find common ground on the issues that matter. The goal should be a win for the American people, not another party victory that leaves half the country feeling defeated.
And while we’re discussing common sense, let’s talk about legislation.
Can we please simplify the bills being presented for votes?
Stop stuffing legislation with multiple unrelated subjects, hidden provisions and enough additional material to make War and Peace look like a pamphlet. If a bill is about one subject, keep it about one subject.
Make legislation readable. Make it understandable. Give elected representatives the opportunity to know exactly what they’re voting for.
If someone cannot explain what a bill does without needing a team of lawyers, three congressional aides and a decoder ring, perhaps it needs a little editing.
The American people deserve transparency. More importantly, the people voting on these bills should actually understand what they’re voting on.
Now, let’s bring some perspective to the election results.
Regardless of what certain media outlets may want you to believe, this was not necessarily a blue tsunami. For that to happen, you would need enough votes to override a presidential veto without crossing the aisle.
What we witnessed was something different.
It was a message. A warning, if you prefer.
The electorate is telling those currently holding office that they are paying attention. They are watching what you do, what you say and how you conduct yourselves. They are also watching how you select your leadership, who you place in positions of influence and whether you are willing to work with people who disagree with you.
So, when it comes time to elect a Speaker of the House or appoint committee chairs, remember that your decisions matter. Don’t assume that simply because you won this election, you have been given permission to do whatever you want.
You haven’t.
We expect strength, but strength doesn’t mean shouting the loudest. We expect conviction, but conviction doesn’t mean refusing to listen. We expect you to stand by your principles while still recognizing that other Americans have principles of their own.
Most importantly, we expect virtue, integrity and a willingness to put the country ahead of yourselves.
There are enough challenges facing our nation without our elected officials manufacturing additional ones for political entertainment. And before someone jumps down my throat for mentioning international relationships, remember that what happens around the world affects us here at home. Our economy, national security, trade, energy and relationships with our allies are all interconnected.
America doesn’t operate in a bubble, no matter how appealing that might sound to some politicians.
A final thought for those who won yesterday:
Congratulations. Seriously.
But don’t confuse the voters’ dissatisfaction with your opponents as unconditional support for everything you stand for.
Some people voted for you because they believe in your policies. Others voted for you because they were tired of the alternative. Some may simply have wanted to send a message to those currently in power.
Those are three very different things.
You have an opportunity to demonstrate that you deserve the confidence placed in you. Don’t waste it by repeating the same behavior that helped get your opponents voted out.
Think before you speak. Think before you act. Listen to the people who elected you, including those who didn’t vote for you.
And remember that the next election is never as far away as it seems.
We didn’t hire you to win political arguments. We hired you to solve problems.
Now get to work.
America has waited long enough.
