[r52] House Democrats Set Poor Example for Hoosier Children (3/9/2011)

The Indiana House remains in a standstill for the third consecutive week after 37 Democrats fled the state to prevent the required minimum 67 members needing to be present on the House Floor for a session to begin.

The lack of a quorum has cost the Hoosier taxpayers more than $250,000 and the cost is growing daily. Many essential bills are also at risk of dying such as a two-year balanced state budget with no tax increases, and some bills have already died such as one providing retired teachers with a cost of living adjustment and a resolution for the creation of an independent redistricting commission.

This walkout, though, is having an adverse effect on another group of Hoosiers that is going un-noticed, and that is our young people.

As a teacher, one aspect that is part of a good education that I always emphasize in my classroom is teaching students how to problem solve.  This includes using higher thinking skills to look for a solution that may not be obvious or readily available. 
We teach our young people about the values of leadership, being a leader and not a follower, and standing up to meet challenges head-on. We also teach responsibility to yourself, your family, your community, and your nation as well as the responsibilities involved with being a responsible citizen. Finally, we try and get parents and adults involved in our children's educational process and how with their involvement we can make the above happen.

Unfortunately, with this walkout we are showing our young people and parents that if you have a problem, just run away. Don't try and discuss it or look for a solution. Forget about being a leader and responsible community member. Don't try and discuss or work on a solution that may be beneficial, but walk away.

Throughout this entire session the House Republicans have been more than willing to discuss our differences with Democrats in civilized debate on the House Floor. Prior to the walkout, every bill passed out of the House had bipartisan support, "Yea" votes from both Republican and Democrat representatives. In addition, a handful of the bills that have passed were authored or co-authored by Democrats or had amendments add to them offered by the Democrat caucus. This legislative session had been an example of working together and problem solving until the start of the House Democrats' walkout.

The ability to problem solve and work out differences openly is a critical part of democracy. State representatives fleeing the state and hunkering down at a hotel in Urbana, Illinois is just in poor taste at a time when Hoosiers are facing serious issues that need to be addressed.

With this walkout, everyone is losing. Now more than ever Hoosiers need us to conduct their business at the state level. Until we can get back to having a quorum to discuss and debate issues, a great injustice is being done to all Hoosiers. A walkout like this by any political party is totally unacceptable.

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