By Michael Mandigo, Staff writer
Edward Rendell, former governor of Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2011 and former mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2000 gave a guest lecture as part of a two part series by SU College Republicans and SU College Democrats.
The goal of the lecture, like that of past speaker Ben Shapiro who appeared March 20, was to represent different political views and understand how conflict impacts everyday life.
Rendell also teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and does consulting work for several companies.
Along with his educational duties, Rendell writes a column for news organizations and participates in the football team Philadelphia Eagles post game show.
He remains political, including still having his political activities committee. Rendell stated that he came to Susquehanna because the events were co-sponsored by the democratic and republican student groups on campus, which spurs healthy political discussion.
Other than being asked to speak at the April 11 event, Rendell also maintains close ties to Susquehanna as a university board member, alumni and longtime friend, Bruce Ficken, was also a factor in bringing the former governor to campus.
Rendell also gave the commencement address at Susquehanna University in 2008, where Rendell received an honorary degree with the 150th graduating class of Susquehanna.
Although the topic was serious, Rendell interjected with hints of humor, such as saying that he did not want to look like Rep. Marco Rubio, R-F.L., drinking water, referring to the public broadcast that Rubio conducted in 2013 for which he was the center of several comics.
Rendell started the evening with a joke during a press event that the speeches he gives are “not for Bill Clinton money.”
At the main speech, Rendell said that the event would focus on two main ideas, the overall status of the United States and the hyper partisanship of the current political climate.
Rendell said, “the best way to get rid of hyper partisanship is for young people to do it.”
Rendell first discussed that the issue with elections now are more focused on getting re-elected than focusing on the issues of the nation.
He believes that political beliefs and what an individual thinks will move the country forward is more important than getting elected.
Rendell also suggested that a staggered legislation term limit, instead of the constant election cycles. Although, the former governor also maintained that politicians should not make their positions as a career.
The former governor expressed his desire that there needs to be more “crossing of the aisles”.
This tone was seemingly set by the program containing an article by Judd Gregg, a republican regarding fiscal stability.
Rendell referred to the Rolling Stones’s song lyric of ‘You can’t always get what you want’ as support for more compromise in developing and discussing legislation.
Rendell also commented on the recent $500 billion deficit of the new budget, saying that Republicans are typically fiscally responsible but lately seems that they are not always.
In regard to American infrastructure, Rendell said that he has had a great deal of experience in that field. Since his time in office, the United States has fallen from top in the world to 10th place in this area.
Rendell emphasized that raising taxes and cutting things like social security could help to elevate the failing infrastructure. These things should start out at the executive level and follow by legislation based upon what the person in office believes, Rendell said.
With regard to the future of the nation and political participation, Rendell parted saying to the students, “Get out there and change things.”