Sunday, April 3, 2022

Bill Crawford: Representatives Owe Constituents Open and Honest Debate

 Sometimes it’s the juxtaposition of things that gets your attention. Without the timing that throws them together you might not consider them in context with each other.

Last week a visit to the North Jackson Rotary Club reminded me of Rotary’s transcendent motto, “Service above self; he profits most who serves best.”

This followed my contemplation of one of the Bible verses I receive by text each day, “Learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have His way with you” – 2 Peter 1:6. This wording from The Living Bible caught my attention.

Then there was the story in Mississippi Today headlined, “Rank-and-file legislators have no influence in budgeting process because they gave it away.” That followed an earlier story suggesting House Speaker Philip Gunn uses closed GOP caucus meetings to strong arm members into supporting his positions. 

In the first story long-time government reporter Bobby Harrison explained that in 2012, when Republicans took over both the House and the Senate, Speaker Philip Gunn and then Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves pushed through significant rules changes. In particular, these new rules severely restricted opportunities for rank-and-file members to amend appropriations bills for the benefit of their constituents. As Harrison noted, this year “legislators are sitting on an unprecedented revenue surplus of more than $2 billion,” but due to those rule changes, “most members will have little say in how those funds are spent.”

In the second story editor Adam Ganucheau wrote, “rank-and-file members often feel forced to vote for a policy they may not personally support or feel their district would support over fear Gunn or other House leaders will retaliate against them.”

The Rotary motto and the Bible verse describe the ideal public-servant legislator for our representative form of government. At its best this form of government consists of selfless representatives voicing the interests of their constituents, working through contested issues, then coming together to make government serve the diverse interests of its people. 

At its worst this form of government yields power to special interests and enables autocrats to dictate policy and practice. The two stories in Mississippi Today portray a House of Representatives moving in that direction. 

Constitutionally, each legislator serves as the voice of his or her constituents. When powerful interests can use secrecy and intimidation to silence and ignore those voices, they deny those constituents representation. Not only is that contrary to the way American government is supposed to work, it has the aroma of the despotic power our forefathers revolted against.

Now, representative government seldom works at its best. Money, special interests, and strong egos always shape results. But neither does representative government work for long at its worst. I served in the House when enough representatives finally got so tired of Speaker Buddie Newman’s heavy-handed ways they forced a change.

Open and honest debate plus transparency go a long way toward making representative government work as best it can. Representatives owe at least that to their constituents. 

“Power corrupts, and when you're in charge, you start doing things that you think are right, but they're actually not” – Star Wars creator George Lucas. (KF note: Irony, Mr. Lucas)

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

3rd world state.

And legislators wonder why their kids and grandkids are leaving in droves.

Anonymous said...

Zzzzzz.

Anonymous said...

@ 9:12

You can go ahead and ad retirees to that list. That's coming next.

Anonymous said...

I hate it that so many Mississippians ( or is it our Governor and Gunn) who want to snooze rather than read the truth.

As long as we protect and get defensive about a failing system both socially and politically and economically, our brightest will leave rather than be a the mercy of the incompetent and unethical.

Anonymous said...

This state is in sad shape

Anonymous said...

They use racial division and other crap to keep us distracted from the “against the people” policies they push. They’re sell outs more interested in some think tank dogma than actually improving the state. At least I can get my Allegra OTC again and not have to go to the doctor for a prescription. ITS RIDICULOUS!!!

Anonymous said...

The rank and file members “gave away” nothing in 2012. Nada. Zero. In reality, “rank and file” Republicans in 2012 consciously changed the Rules (by House majority vote) to secure their ability to protect their budget from “rank and file” Democrats (most of whom who had been McCoy team adherents and who dearly wanted to take their old power back. Dems would have used every trick available to scuttle GOP plans to create and maintain a fiscally responsible budgeting culture that had been totally absent at the Capitol for decade after decade of uniform Democratic control. The ancient cycle of party power was utterly broken by the voters in the 2011 elections, and there was no turning back. Democratic “tax and spend” (usually with one-time money) was “out;” Republican spending only within our means was “in.” Without the Rules change in a closely divided House, and with ex-Democratic chairman possessing the bulk of the institutional knowledge, post-McCoy Democrats were poised to turn the House budgeting process into a circus by creating deliberate confusion and chaos. GOPers understood this and were determined to neuter the Dems, and for good reason. The voters had given Republicans the power and they expected results. The 2012 Rules change was the answer. It worked. Although Gunn and his senior leaders were the engineers, “rank and file” Republicans, by and large, still support today what they supported in 2012. Without the Rule, “woke” Democrats would be unnecessarily empowered. Mississippians emphatically do not want that. Bobby Harrison and his ilk rue the change because they were (and are) unabashed partisan proponents of yellow dog Democratic revival in the Magnolia State.

Anonymous said...

Soooo, are things different now than they have ever been? Were things really different under Tim Ford and Ronnie Musgrove?

Anonymous said...

Best and brightest leave....the lazy and ignorant stay. What is new ?

Anonymous said...

Fish, why do you publish this crap? Crawford is the Stuart Stevens of Mississippi punditry.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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