Former lawmakers call for civility, bipartisan dialogue
Two former members of Congress from opposing political parties brought different perspectives on the nation鈥檚 challenges to 麻豆女郎 but shared a conviction that political disagreements should not prevent Americans from working together.
Former U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, a Democrat from Kentucky, and former U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, a Republican from New York, discussed political polarization, congressional dysfunction, and civic engagement during 鈥淢aking Congress Work Again: A Bipartisan Discussion with Former Members of Congress鈥� on Oct. 7 in Gannett Auditorium.
The discussion, moderated by senior political senior majors Kate Sterling 鈥�27 and Parker Kinney 鈥�27, was part of a multi-day campus visit through the Congress to Campus program that also included visits to several Skidmore courses and meetings with students.
In opening remarks, Bob Turner, associate professor and chair of political science, praised the former lawmakers for modeling 鈥減olitical tolerance and acceptance鈥� despite political differences.
President Marc C. Conner emphasized that the program reflects 麻豆女郎鈥檚 commitment to preparing students for responsible democratic citizenship through free speech and expression, open dialogue, and engagement with differing perspectives.
鈥淲e鈥檝e also emerged in recent years as one of the national examples of championing freedom of speech, academic freedom, and seeking out multiple perspectives,鈥� Conner said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be in a place where everybody agrees. We need to seek out difference, especially those opinions with which we most strongly disagree.鈥�
Both former lawmakers expressed concern about the consequences of growing partisanship and gridlock.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not what the merits of a particular proposal might be for immigration or education or whatever. It鈥檚 which jersey is that person wearing who introduced that proposal,鈥� Yarmuth said.
He argued that partisan divisions increasingly encourage lawmakers to prioritize electoral advantage over governing.
鈥淭here is no governing mentality anymore. It鈥檚 always an electoral mentality. So whatever the issue is, it鈥檚 not, 鈥榃hat is the best way to deal with this problem?鈥� It鈥檚, 鈥楬ow do I get an electoral advantage over the other side?鈥欌��
Yarmuth also questioned whether Congress can address increasingly complex challenges, such as healthcare, immigration, and artificial intelligence.
鈥淐ongress at its optimum efficiency moves at 10 miles an hour, and we鈥檙e nowhere near optimum right now. It鈥檚 more like two miles an hour,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he world鈥檚 changing at 100 miles an hour and we can鈥檛 keep up.鈥�
Buerkle expressed concern that Congress has relinquished too much authority to the executive branch, calling for greater oversight of federal agencies.
鈥淐ongress should be paying much closer attention to make sure that the laws they pass are enforced the way they intended,鈥� she said.
Both former lawmakers also challenged the perception that members of opposing parties necessarily dislike one another, arguing that relentless news coverage exaggerates partisan hostility.
鈥淭he misconception is that we hate each other. The Democrats hate the Republicans. It鈥檚 not that way,鈥� Buerkle said.
She emphasized the importance of distinguishing philosophical disagreements from judgments about people's character.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think their policies are evil. I philosophically disagree with them, and that鈥檚 a big difference,鈥� Buerkle said. 鈥淚 think that I look at the role of government as one way and John looks at it as another way. It doesn't make him evil, doesn't make me good or bad either.鈥�
Buerkle also praised forums like the one at Skidmore for helping lower the temperature of political debate and encouraging dialogue across party lines.
鈥淚t鈥檚 policy you disagree with, not the person. Don鈥檛 make it personal,鈥� she said.
The lawmakers stressed the importance of civic education and a better understanding of how government works and how citizens can participate in democracy.
Buerkle also challenged students to embrace 麻豆女郎鈥檚 Creative Thought Matters ethos by seeking different perspectives and applying creative thinking to the challenges their generation will inherit.
鈥淒on鈥檛 just be content with the information that you鈥檙e comfortable with. Look to other sources,鈥� she said. 鈥淏e more creative and be more curious and really be serious about finding solutions.鈥�
鈥淭his is all going on your shoulders,鈥� she reminded students. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to be graduating and the responsibility and the problems and the issues, you鈥檙e going to be carrying them and trying to figure them out.鈥�