Mike Johnson on Steny Hoyer’s retirement announcement:
Voters hold the key to the future, of course. They can change the dynamics that have disabled representative democracy and restore the balance of power among the branches of government. But voters today lack the civic knowledge and access to the system to be effective. Unfortunately, many also lack the will or the realization that they must change their own behavior, before they can change others.
Changing the behavior of both citizens and politicians is critical but it is also an imposing mountain to climb. My friend Jerry Climer (a fitting last name) and I wrote a book, Fixing Congress: Restoring Power to the People to help reverse those conditions. We believe with the right tools, civic education, a resurgence in civic engagement and a resolve to repudiate bad behavior and strident attitudes voters can make a difference.
I can’t speak for Hoyer, of course, but I would think he would agree. He holds out hope that the future need not be dark: “I fear that America is heading not toward greatness, but toward smallness, pettiness, divisiveness, lawlessness, and disdainfulness. We must respect and love one another. We must remember that we are not great or unique because we say we’re great, but because we are just and generous and fair. I hope that spirit can guide us the rest of this Congress…”
Hoyer indicated he would have more to say. We should all listen, learn and act in that spirit.