From the file. Written for the paper dated December 2022. Opened in the public stacks July 14, 2026.
In a political climate fueled by urgency and tension, many are opting for process over performance. This week, as left and right navigate their respective narratives, the bipartisan habit of selective memory is becoming more pronounced.
The Left's Dance with Process
The left has consistently emphasized the importance of process, often to the detriment of actual results. Legislative procedures and committee hearings are hailed as victories, even when the substance of proposed policies remains elusive. This fervor for process can lead to a dangerous complacency. Politicians may feel a sense of accomplishment simply by participating in discussions, while real-world issues like healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality remain unresolved.
“We’ve made progress on the process front, but where is the tangible change?”
While it is essential to establish a framework for governance, the obsession with procedural victories can overshadow the necessity for substantive accomplishments. For instance, the recent push for extensive climate legislation has seen countless hours of debate and negotiation. However, the result has often been watered-down proposals that fail to meet the urgency of the crisis at hand. The left seems to be falling into the trap of believing that the mere act of attempting to solve a problem is as valuable as actually solving it.
The Right's Selective Amnesia
On the other side of the aisle, the right frequently engages in selective memory, often portraying their past policies in a light that ignores the complexities of their outcomes. For example, many conservative leaders have rallied against inflation and economic instability while conveniently forgetting their previous support for deregulation and tax cuts that critics argue have contributed to the current situation. This dissonance creates a narrative that is not only misleading but also detrimental to solving the very issues the right claims to prioritize.
“We can’t ignore our own history while demanding accountability from others.”
When faced with crises, the right sometimes opts to blame external factors or previous administrations rather than confronting the consequences of their own policy decisions. By focusing on process - like achieving a balance in the budget - over performance metrics like job creation or wage growth, the political right risks alienating constituents who are more concerned with their day-to-day realities than with ideological battles.
The Dangers of Bipartisan Complacency
Both sides of the political spectrum are guilty of becoming overly enamored with process at the expense of actual performance. This trend is concerning, as it reflects a broader malaise in governance. Constituents expect their leaders to deliver results, yet both parties seem more interested in the theater of politics than in enacting meaningful change. As crises abound, the public is left to wonder whether their leaders are truly equipped to tackle the challenges they face.
A Call for Accountability
It is imperative that politicians on both sides of the aisle recognize the need for accountability. While process is undoubtedly important in ensuring fair governance, it should not overshadow the goal of delivering tangible results. The public deserves leaders who are willing to confront the realities of their policies and make adjustments when necessary, rather than clinging to the comfort of procedural victories.
Looking Forward
As we head into a new year, the expectation for both parties should be clear: prioritize performance without sacrificing the integrity of the process. Voters should demand that their representatives engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to actionable solutions. The time has come for a collective awakening to the fact that process without performance is simply a hollow exercise in futility.
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