A FEW Congressional Democrats and Republicans will be sitting next to each other Tuesday night during the State of the Union address, straying from their glowering bunkers on opposite sides of the aisle. It's a lovely idea, intended to show that ideological divisions do not require personal rancor, said the New York Ties in its editorial, but added that it is essentially a gesture to the cameras, and it should not obscure what remains a wide and fundamentally deep aisle between the parties. Excerpts: Most Democrats, for example, believe it is important to provide health insurance to the uninsured. Republicans do not. Democrats believe in using the financial powers of the government to help revive the economy. Republicans believe instead in the power of tax cuts, primarily for the wealthy. Democrats believe regulation can help protect the environment and consumers, and help avert another financial collapse. Republicans have fought virtually every proposal to regulate. These debates are important and need to continue, wherever members of Congress choose to sit for the annual presidential address. There is nothing wrong with sharp ideological argument, as long as partisans do not seek to demonize their opponents and make their cases without ridicule and threats. If lawmakers really want to impress the American people with their new commitment to a joint sense of purpose, there is much they can do that is more vital than seating arrangements. They can, for example, stop pushing stunt legislation. Wednesday's vote in the House to repeal health care reform was never intended to create law; it was simply an elaborate message to the Republican base. Any voters who thought it might actually build momentum toward repeal are likely to be disappointed. Republicans are welcome to propose a detailed alternative to the law and explain to the public how it would address matters like the uninsured, pre-existing conditions and lowering the deficit. Simply saying “get rid of it” is an act of provocation by one party against the other. Democrats could lower the temperature in the Senate by agreeing to new rules that make it harder to filibuster, even if that could put them at a disadvantage should they slip back into the minority. The right to filibuster on the most significant issues must remain, but its abuse over the last four years to obstruct virtually every nomination or piece of legislation has severely damaged comity in the Senate. __
