Op-ed: The End of Playground Politics

If you want to get a taste of our state politics, just visit a schoolyard during recess. You'll see the same kind of taunting, bullying, blaming and name-calling that has Connecticut government tied up in knots. (Then again, third-graders eventually get back to work, so maybe it's not a fair comparison.)

Republican Party loyalists in Hartford dutifully point their fingers at the Democrats.  And the Democrats point right back. Every hand there is played for political advantage, and it's no wonder that gridlock is the result.

Our recent budget struggles are a perfect example. The governor sent the legislature a budget she knew they would not approve. They sent her back one they knew she would not sign. The ensuing standoff dragged on for months past the deadline, ending only when the governor let the budget pass into law without her signature.

And how was the budget finally balanced? With borrowing and one shot deals! Incapable of making tough decisions, cutting spending or raising revenues, our governor and legislators played a game of smoke and mirrors.

It's often said that people get the government they deserve, but I believe we deserve much, much better than this.  We deserve a legislature that can set aside differences and work together with the governor on our most pressing challenge—creating jobs in Connecticut.  We need to make investments that will create jobs, and that means spending on education and transportation, even in a tough environment.

Finally, I believe everyone has to give a little, even if it means taking positions unpopular with the loudest-screaming interest groups.  In this election, some are calling for "courage" and "toughness." But the last thing we need is more political clichés from partisans digging in their heels. This is the time for a fresh start—for taking off partisan blinders and being open to new ideas.

It's time for playground politics to come to an end, and for us to elect leaders whose only loyalty is to the future of Connecticut.

John Hartwell, a Democrat and Westport resident, is running against incumbent state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-26, in the November election. The district represents the communities of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton.