by Democrats. Perhaps Muskie summed it up Chicago Professor Theodore Lowi In fact, in 1977, it was one of best when explaining the reason the published a book called “The End of the top three priorities on Capitol idea enjoyed such broad political Liberalism” (see box on next page Hill. The top priority, S.1, was a jobs support. “Conservatives see this as a for more information on the origin bill aimed at easing unemployment, way of reducing the responsibilities of the Sunset proposal). In that which stood at 7.5 percent when of government,” he explained, while book, he first suggested establishing Jimmy Carter took office. The third it is viewed by “liberals as a way of a “Tenure-of-Statute” act, which priority, S.3, was a bill to reform getting our house in order to take on would require any law that created health care. The second most new responsibilities.” a federal agency to expire in five to pressing priority, S.2, was a bill to The Senate overwhelmingly 10 years. When Mr. Lowi’s idea was get federal spending under control approved S.2 by a vote of 87-1 later considered by Congress, another by establishing a federal Sunset in October 1978. Unfortunately, Chicagoan, Abner Mikva, testified Commission. the bill was never voted on in the in its support, saying a Sunset The bill’s Commission main sponsor “would force on was Edmund us a discipline of Muskie, the reviewing what legendary we have done Democratic in established senator from periods of time.” Maine. Its At the time supporters of his testimony, ranged from Mikva was Republicans serving in Barry Goldwater the House of and Jesse Helms Representatives. to Democrats He would later G e o r g e go on to serve McGovern as a mentor for and Edward Barack Obama. Kennedy. “I In 2006, he regard the sunset counseled the concept as one young senator of the most to seek the imaginative White House. and innovative His advice approaches to helped convince Its supporters ranged from Republicans government Obama that the Barry Goldwater and Jesse Helms to reform that has time was right been proposed then to pursue Democrats George McGovern and in many years,” the presidency. Edward Kennedy. Kennedy said. Perhaps his All told, S.2 testimony will had 59 cosponsors in the Senate - House, and the idea was never convince Obama that the time is right 30 Democrats, 28 Republicans and seriously considered again. It should now to pursue another bold idea – one independent. In the House, the be considered now for the reasons establishing a Sunset Commission. bill had more than 150 cosponsors, previously discussed - the idea is It is an idea that would not only including such conservative binding, proven and bipartisan. provide the President the scalpel Republicans as Mickey Edwards But there’s another reason he needs to cut the federal budget, and Bob Walker and such liberal President Obama might find but one that would also help him Democrats as Dick Gephardt and the establishment of a Sunset overcome the obstacles he is likely Shirley Chisholm. President Carter Commission appealing: to face on Capitol Hill. RF also backed the plan, as did interest The idea originated in his groups ranging from the Chamber hometown. Lou Zickar is the editor of The of Commerce to Common Cause. In 1969, University of Ripon Forum. 26
RIPON FORUM Spring 2009