Chasing the Bus as an "End" Rather Than the "Means"

By: dsvabeachdems
Published On: 7/29/2007 3:45:31 PM

Among the accomplishments for which I understood Senator Rerras stake a claim for the Virginia Republican Party during Saturday's breakfast is Virginia's recognition for both the best management and best business environment. This chain of attribution combined with an earlier discussion of his running habit reminded me of a simile I've heard Senator Creigh Deeds use. An apology to the Senator for sharing one of his shticks, but he has a kit of effective folksy metaphors anyhow.

As Senator Deeds tells it, the Republicans are like the dog chasing a bus and finally catching it. Once they are elected they prove time and time again that the dog adds nothing to the bus. But, the dog's been chasing that bus so long, it just can't let go. That dog just gets dragged along getting beaten up. The truth is that the dog can't swallow the bus; the dog doesn't believe in the bus. The dog doesn't believe that government is the tool that we use to improve people's lives. Certainly government can't do everything, but it is the tool we use to level the playing field; to make sure everyone has an opportunity.

You see, Senator Rerras should choose whether government can make a difference, giving credit where it is due, embracing the successes that Virginia has achieved through good governance, or he should dismiss that recognition as circumstantial. But he has another challenge with those two distinguished accomplishments. Management and execution are functions of the Executive Branch, not the Legislative. And the leadership that achieved that recognition has been provided by executives who are Democrats.

Getting elected should not be the aim. It should be the means to an end. Locking your jaws around that rear bumper isn't sufficient. You must take the wheel and steer clear of the abuser fees, so to speak.


Cross posted at VBDems.org - Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach! Go RK!


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