Readers React: Tracking senators’ ‘Compromise Quotient’

To the editor: Polarization in the Senate prevents Congress from performing its most basic duties. The situation is so bad that the U.S. is without ambassadors in countries vital to our national interests. (“You’ll never guess what partisan politics are damaging now,” Op-Ed, July 17)

In its past, despite fierce debate from entrenched interests, the Senate managed to pass groundbreaking legislation, including anti-trust laws, an income tax amendment, Social Security and civil rights laws. These watershed moments were made possible by skilled politicians negotiating compromise.

If Americans want a functioning Senate, compromise is an inescapable obligation. We should track, measure and widely publicize during elections the number of successful bipartisan measures our elected officials have participated in.

The seeming inability to find common ground and craft successful legislation is an illusion perpetuated by well-funded, narrow interests. Though an inexorable feature of modern politics, by definition they do not represent the majority of Americans who wish for a more effective legislature.

Track, publish and promote the Compromise Quotient.

Maggi Messina, Camarillo