Disabilities you say; go away don't bother me kid

[RgrF]

As Dole sat in his Washington law office in February, still stunned by the outcome, he blamed his own party and suggested a headline: “Republican Party closes its doors to make repairs.” The GOP, added Dole, one of the party’s most revered figures, “needs a timeout” to tone down the antigovernment rhetoric.

To be sure, Dole says there is a larger problem of political dysfunction in which Democrats also share blame. But if there is a legislative tale that symbolizes the rise and fall of bipartisanship in Washington during the past quarter-century — and the Republican Party’s own schism — it is the story of Dole’s initial success and recent failure on behalf of people with disabilities. It is also the story of Dole himself, discovering how Washington has changed and become a broken city. wrote:

The Globe

[Ombligo]

Dole is the last republican I have respect for. He understood the need for compromise, something both sides need to reaquire.

[Spock]

A noble idea voted down by the heard instinct of cowards. Sad for Dole and the rest of the world gets the message that the US doesn't care.

[cbelt3]

The development of compassion often requires a personal relationship, either directly or through family or friends. Dole was disabled in WWII. Most recently, Rob Portman's gay son caused him to develop compassion towards the plight of gays in the US. Ideology gives way, and humanity wins out.

[hal]

cbelt3 wrote: Ideology gives way, and humanity wins out.

Unless the republicans decide that scoring a political victory is more important...

That was a hell of a piece - thanks RgrF

[btfc]

Interesting, well written piece, thank you.

"Dole is the last republican I have respect for. He understood the need for compromise, something both sides need to reaquire."

One can only hope that there are still Republicans ready to stand up to the radical right wingers that are eating their party alive from within.


' “This is probably a naive view, but I always believed that if you had a view and I had a view, we are both well intentioned,” Dole said. That is different than “having somebody saying ‘never give in’ and not compromise.”
Solving Washington gridlock shouldn’t be that difficult. Think of it as a math problem, he said.
“If somebody is at a two and you are at four, there ought to be some way to get to three,” Dole said. “And you settle on three.” '