It was nice to see Indiana House Democrats return to work Monday after their nearly six-week walkout/boycott. No kudos to them, though. They never should have left in the first place.
Now, the state legislature will need to move on lots of matters before the regular session is scheduled to end April 29.
“This timeout gave millions of Hoosiers a real voice in their state government,” House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer said in a statement.
Not exactly. Hoosiers already had a voice in their state government. They exercised it loud and clear last November, when they voted Democrats out of majority status in the House and Senate. Hopefully, the actions — or inaction — of Democrats during the last several weeks will convince even more voters to kick them out of office. If they don’t want to show up for work, we certainly can accommodate that.
Democrats responded to their newfound minority status by fleeing to Urbana, Ill. They apparently have returned after winning some concessions from Republicans. We hope not many.
Changes have to be made in order for all Hoosiers to prosper and have a proper chance for a good education.
In the meantime, we hope they enjoy the long hours that await them between now and April 29, the $250 to $350 daily fines they will pay for missing sessions and the possible special sessions that Gov. Mitch Daniels might foist upon them, if there is no agreed-upon budget by April 29.
The point is not how effective the Democrat boycott was. In fact, Bauer said the compromises aren’t perfect. This is not how responsible politicians govern. Unfortunately, the mere fact that Republicans did cave on some of the legislation that caused the Democrat walkout will embolden future politicians — on either side of the aisle — to do the same when they are the minority party and don’t get their way.
Think of how Congressional Republicans would have been disparaged had they walked out en masse during the national health care debate last year. It might have been effective, but Republicans didn’t do it. They acknowledge that it’s their job to show up, debate and vote on the legislation presented before them.
What the Democrats who walked out don’t seem to understand is that they represent more than the people who voted for them, or their special-interest groups. They represent all of their constituents. Democrats made that point frequently when Barack Obama was elected president. It was a fair and correct point. Now, the same holds true for Indiana House Democrats.
It is the Democrats’ duty to show up, debate and vote on proposed legislation. They have failed at even that basic responsibility. If they don’t to do their jobs, perhaps they shouldn’t have those jobs. Here’s hoping voters make that happen at the next opportunity.
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