Spring Break
Being in the minority party sucks
Caleb Thornton
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Opinion
This semester I have had the opportunity to work as an intern down at the state Capitol.
Aside from the 6:30 a.m. wake-up time every Tuesday and Thursday, it has actually turned out to be a great learning experience. Honestly, if you are really interested in how the political process works here in Colorado, there really is no better way to learn than through first-hand experience.
And of all the things that I have learned over the course of this semester, one lesson in particular has become abundantly clear to me: Being in the minority political party sucks.
As you may or may not know, the Democratic Party currently holds significant majorities inside the state House of Representatives, state Senate, as well as the governorship. In short, Colorado's state government is controlled by Democrats across the board.
Of course, being in power has its privileges. I will admit that I do not spend much of my time in the offices of the majority party, but I can tell you this -- they are definitely nicer than the office that I work in. To let you know what I mean, let me attempt to give you a visual.
Personally, I like to say that I work in the bat-cave, and, granted, it may not be as dark, bat-ridden or as cool as the caped crusader's secret lair. However, it does share some common characteristics, such as the lack of natural lighting, a consistent cold breeze (the air conditioner that never turns off) or the simple fact that the office is stuck in the far-reaches of the Capitol and fairly difficult to find.
Of course, in reality, none of the offices in the state Capitol are that much nicer, but it just goes to show that being in the minority party can, at times, be something of a drag.
However, there is no time more difficult to be in the minority party then when it comes to the debate over partisan legislation.
In reality, the majority of bills passed through the state legislature are common sense laws that are necessary, have bipartisan support and are, in short, boring. But, there are also a fair amount of bills that may not have bipartisan support, and it is these bills that can bring on the real debate.
Aside from the 6:30 a.m. wake-up time every Tuesday and Thursday, it has actually turned out to be a great learning experience. Honestly, if you are really interested in how the political process works here in Colorado, there really is no better way to learn than through first-hand experience.
And of all the things that I have learned over the course of this semester, one lesson in particular has become abundantly clear to me: Being in the minority political party sucks.
As you may or may not know, the Democratic Party currently holds significant majorities inside the state House of Representatives, state Senate, as well as the governorship. In short, Colorado's state government is controlled by Democrats across the board.
Of course, being in power has its privileges. I will admit that I do not spend much of my time in the offices of the majority party, but I can tell you this -- they are definitely nicer than the office that I work in. To let you know what I mean, let me attempt to give you a visual.
Personally, I like to say that I work in the bat-cave, and, granted, it may not be as dark, bat-ridden or as cool as the caped crusader's secret lair. However, it does share some common characteristics, such as the lack of natural lighting, a consistent cold breeze (the air conditioner that never turns off) or the simple fact that the office is stuck in the far-reaches of the Capitol and fairly difficult to find.
Of course, in reality, none of the offices in the state Capitol are that much nicer, but it just goes to show that being in the minority party can, at times, be something of a drag.
However, there is no time more difficult to be in the minority party then when it comes to the debate over partisan legislation.
In reality, the majority of bills passed through the state legislature are common sense laws that are necessary, have bipartisan support and are, in short, boring. But, there are also a fair amount of bills that may not have bipartisan support, and it is these bills that can bring on the real debate.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Jim Carlson
posted 4/16/09 @ 7:55 AM MST
Caleb:
First, I must admit that I am addicted to responding to op-ed partisan rants. I really dont know why?
As for republicans being a minority party in Fort Collins, the stste of Colorado, and the United States, all I can say is you have no one to blame but republican policies. (Continued…)
Chunk
posted 4/16/09 @ 10:59 AM MST
Jim Carlson is exactly right, and I'll add that those of us who affiliate with parties/candidates from without the two-party system are ALWAYS on the outside looking in. (Continued…)
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