And thus begins the real work

While some would argue most political campaigns ended last November, I'm not among them.

National campaigns officially ended this week as members of Congress were sworn into office, and state campaigning will end tomorrow when Iowa lawmakers return to their chambers. If we are lucky, there will be about a month of the serious work of politics: governing.

And, given that this also is the start of the glorious presidential stampede in the Hawkeye State, let's hope for responsible governance, however quick it may be.

Campaigning is the fun part. Governing? Well, that's a more true test of character, which far too many of our elected officials fail miserably.

Campaigns are lofty public speeches, potluck dinners, pitches to the base and ugly advertising. Campaigning is passion, a steady conversation on the magic of tomorrow, and how this or that candidate is going to be everything you ever wanted. Candidates flitter from topic to topic with ease, promising everything along with the kitchen sink.

Governing requires looking at others who think differently without seeing the same devils you promised to destroy during the campaign.

Those answering the call of the pounding gavel will find few problems that can be answered with sound bites, and few issues that don't require focused attention.

Short attention spans have led to dirty water, decaying roads and diminished trust. Constantly planning for the next election, crafting bills intended for nothing more than campaign ad fodder, and searching for the next buzz phrase supporters of one party can zing at the other haven't solved the problems facing the young women who lived at the Iowa Juvenile Home. It hasn't lowered the instance of food insecurity for elderly residents, and it hasn't prepared our workforce for the next wave of jobs.

So, this year, let's call a truce. Plant some peace lilies in those now infamous Des Moines flower pots, and seek consensus instead of squealing.

Let's have a session where no public employees, including state troopers and clerks, are diminished for doing their job. One session when no lawmaker emits a thunderous curse word in the rotunda. One session where no political party hands the press a dossier on some member of the opposing party.

This session, let's make sure every bill and every amendment has more to do with pushing Iowa forward than pushing a political agenda.

Let's choose to applaud during speeches not because we respect the words, but because we respect the office. Let's resolve to make no sound bite that equates a human being to any member of the animal kingdom or piece of produce.

From this moment on, let's vow that each piece of legislation presented will be the work of the legislator or committee introducing it and not some two-bit boilerplate template geared toward a national agenda.

Let's make the House and Senate rules regarding courtesy at least as stringent as rules regarding attire. And, since taxpayers have been nice enough to provide the finest security money can buy, let's all leave the weapons at home this session - and promise to report and prosecute those who can't abide by such simple safety rules.

Instead of seeing lawmakers in 'safe” districts moonlighting as mouthpieces for political parties or advocacy groups, let's ask them to brainstorm innovative policy answers to broad-spectrum problems that have hindered forward movement.

If we've learned nothing else in recent days, it should be that free speech deserves protection. So, let's hope talk of a bill that would stifle opinion, even opinion some might find offensive, doesn't make it to the hopper.

Forget the comfort of lowered expectations - in fact, forget all campaign strategy phrases - and focus on meeting the needs of Iowans. I promise political score cards and horseraces still will be available sine die.

' Comments: @LyndaIowa, lynda.waddington@thegazette.com, (319) 339-3144.