The Diary - June 27
The Diary
The crowd, or what passes for a crowd in the Reading Room, 25 folks, has departed. I’ve put the folding chairs away, cleaned up a few stray water bottles, and wheeled the rolling shelves back to their regular spots. I’m tired but it was a wonderful afternoon—the type of afternoon I hoped for when launching River City Reading Room.
My university professor, Jim Nowlan, moderated a lively and informative conversation with Ray LaHood, former congressman and US Secretary of Transportation in the Obama administration. Ray has a written a political memoir, Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics, and the discussion focused on bipartisanship and civility in Congress and the political system.
Ray noted that he came by bipartisanship historically. After all, Lincoln, Everett Dirksen, and Bob Michel represented his congressional district. All three relied on bipartisan support to advance causes. He focused on Everett Dirksen’s role in passing the Civil Rights Act. President Johnson, who had strained relationships with conservative Southern democrats, relied on Dirksen, a conservative republican with a web of friendships throughout Congress, to get Southern democrats to support the landmark legislation. “You need bipartisan support to get big things done,” Ray said.
Ray and Jim fielded numerous well-informed questions. Asked how we can restore bipartisanship, Ray stated that we need to vote for candidates who realize that they are being elected to an institution, the Congress, and not to a party. Asked about the influence of money in politics, he indicated support for publicly funded presidential elections but cautioned that money would still infiltrate campaigns. He also decried the role of social media, which has allowed insults and lies to fester and which empowers unaccountable agitators.
“The world is upside down,” Ray concluded, “but our community is not upside down because of people like you.” He noted that Peoria has always been and continues to be a place where we take care of each other. He added that our lives are far larger than what transpires in Washington.
I am admittedly a glass half-full guy. Anyone who opens a bookstore must be. I found Ray’s final comment an affirming call to action—a call to be engaged and involved and work for the good but to remember that good surround us as well.