In today’s hyper-polarized political climate, it’s easy to view Washington as a place where little gets done among partisan debates.
This is demonstrated by the constant barrage of sensationalized headlines and divisive rhetoric. Not only is the harsh dialogue – often involving personal attacks – off-putting, but it can also make it seem like achieving meaningful progress on any issue is impossible.
Beyond that, some people feel that lawmakers are too performative and transactional, caring very little about the concerns or problems of anyone other than big donors and other influential people.
A Genuine Desire For Change
Frankly, it’s true, our politics have become very partisan. Because of that, both sides of the aisle would do well to dial it down a notch.
Yet, the reality is at odds with conventional wisdom regarding whether lawmakers sympathize with and care about their constituents.
What many don’t appreciate – and it isn’t always apparent from the sensational debates on cable news and social media – is that when elected representatives hear from voters directly, it can profoundly impact their views.
Indeed, beneath the surface-level theatrics, many in Congress desire to bring about real, impactful change. How can I be so sure this is the case? I see it happen every year during our annual Capitol Hill Day.
Citizen Advocates
Each year, our members gather in Washington to become citizen advocates for a day, meeting face-to-face with their elected representatives and voicing their concerns about issues impacting our industry.
Going into these meetings, we know we’ll sometimes be greeted by a sympathetic audience that appreciates the nuances of our industry and the role it plays in allowing millions of Americans to save for a dignified retirement.
Other times, however, you can sense that lawmakers and their staff are suspicious of whether it’s possible to find common ground with us. The feeling is palpable.
But in those instances, the conversations often end up being productive and educational. There may not be a wholesale change in the way they view things but they often at least come away with a greater understanding of our perspectives.
It doesn’t matter what the issue is. It could be protecting advisors’ independent contractor status, stopping the DOL fiduciary rule or slowing the pace and breadth of SEC rulemaking. The truth is that hearing directly from those who live, work and serve Main Street investors in their district helps provide real-life context to the issues lawmakers are debating in our nation’s capital.
Overcoming Partisanship And Gridlock
Despite the loud voices on the fringes, many lawmakers are committed to collaborative and solutions-oriented approaches.
Ultimately, the experience of Capitol Hill Day shows that when voters join forces and constructively engage with their representatives, it’s possible to overcome some of the partisanship and gridlock that grips our political system and have a meaningful dialogue. Indeed, despite the loud voices on the fringes, many lawmakers are committed to collaborative and solutions-oriented approaches.
Yes, the political temperature needs to come down. At the same time, we remain committed to our constructive engagement approach to advocacy, which has proven successful over the past two decades and gives us a voice in Washington and the states.
Dale Brown is the President and CEO of the Financial Services Institute.
