Just Govern Damnit!

Another monster column from Rick Casey. Casey's a treasure who chose to work for the Chronicle over offers from other states where people are more ably governed. Figured that he'd have more to write about here. Yesterday he deconstructed the Hammer's farewell speech to congress where he criticizes statesmen who "degrade our public debate by elevating compromise to a first principle." Casey harkens back to "when America was seen as a pragmatic nation dominated by moderate voters" before the moderate majority was marginalized, the electorate "divided into safe districts where candidates have to appeal to the most rabid partisans." Casey suggests that DeLay might have been more effective if he'd learned to forge coalitions between conflicting interests. He finishes with a call to "let the preachers and prophets stand erect on principles. We need politicians who bend to solve problems." Bravo!