Once again, Clinton faces a Republican-controlled Congress, and he was right in saying that voters surely "did not do this to advance the politics of petty bickering and extreme partisanship they plainly deplore. No, they call on us instead to be repairers of the breach and to move on with America's mission."
The question is how one defines the words "petty" and "extreme."
Just as surely as congressional Democrats are not likely to let House Speaker Newt Gingrich's ethics violations be forgotten as trivial misdemeanors, Republicans are not about to halt investigations into the Arkansas financial mess known as Whitewater, improper usage of FBI files by White House underlings and campaign finance irregularities. And Paula Jones is not likely to drop her sexual-harassment lawsuit against Clinton without at least an apology from him and acknowledgement that he engaged in conduct that offended her.
Clinton's pleas for racial harmony and compassion for immigrants, the poor and the elderly are shared by all until details are discussed. Affirmative action is a heated issue, as is the eligibility of immigrants to public benefits.
The biggest challenge of Clinton's second term may be to find compromise with Congress on lowering the cost of Medicare and Social Security before both programs run out of money. He is expected to discuss details of his policies in his State of the Union Address set for Feb. 4.
The middle ground on these issues is a laudable goal not easily achieved. Clinton and Congress hopefully will agree on solutions to the nation's problems despite probes into political mischief on both sides. Those investigations should proceed, since one goal that must never be forsaken is ethical government.
Now the Hawaii Labor Relations Board has ruled that workers, cheaters included, are protected by their labor agreement from having their pay delayed. If state negotiators are unwilling because of political pressure to insist that those labor agreements be amended to allow the pay lags, the state Legislature should enact a law to override the agreements. This outrageous thievery of public money must be eliminated.
Hawaii businesses should be allowed to schedule events at the convention center a few months in advance. Such a practice would help fill up the facility's calendar as it starts up and begins to gain international exposure and momentum.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor