Names and Faces

Names and faces humanize nearly every event. A random act of senseless violence makes nearly everyone take stock of how precious life is and serves as a reminder that many choices we make have real human outcomes.

The shooting at a congressional baseball practice this week that left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and three other people wounded has again, temporarily, put a human face on partisan politics. Congressional staffer Zachary Barth, Tyson Foods' Director of Government Relations Matt Mika, and Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner are the names that go with the faces of the others wounded. Capitol Police Officer David Bailey suffered a non-ballistic ankle injury during the attack and he and Griner are credited with saving the lives of those targeted via quick return of fire against the shooter.

Thankfully, none of the victims lost their lives though Scalise and Mika suffered serious injuries and face a long road to recovery. Best wishes to them and their families along that road.

The motive for the attack is not yet fully understood, but the shooter reportedly expressed strident anti-Republican views on social media and had a list of several Republican representatives in his pocket, according to officials briefed on the FBI investigation.

The shooting has made many realize, if for a moment, the need for civility, reason, and empathy in our public discourse. Partisanship has become toxic and political rhetoric has moved to a confrontational extreme. The us versus them mentality our the nation divided has removed individuals from the equation. Political decisions are ideology driven to the point where the individuals impacted by them are lost in a sea of nameless, faceless masses.

The congressional shooting reminds us that political service should not be a risk to life and limb. Yet we too often overlook the fact that political decisions can impact life and death.

The Senate is currently working on its own version of the House passed AHCA bill in near secret. It's a partisan play led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell more worthy of the Soviet Politburo than the most deliberative body of the U.S. democracy.  It's also a bold faced attempt to ram though legislation based on ideology rather than thinking about the actual life and death impact on individuals that have names and faces.

Senator McConnell, look at the reaction to the events of this week and re-think what you're doing.

The Senate does the people's work and the people have a right to see that work in the light of day. Republicans are entitled to propose legislative choices but they are not entitled to escape scrutiny. Real people may be hurt or even die if this bill is bad. Those people have the right to see the bill and you, Senator McConnell and your colleagues, do not have the right to look past their names and faces when crafting it.

The step back from bitter partisanship many experienced this week will likely be fleeting. Before it vanishes entirely, it would be rewarding if some good could come from it so the step forward into the business as usual mentality isn't quite so big.

Senator McConnell, the ball is in your court.