Stephens Media columnist Steve Brawner writes this week on the
partisanship and potential bipartisanship in the nation’s
capitol.  Brawner highlights the collective support of
Republican Sen. John Boozman and Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor to
endorse a trucking industry bill to keep drivers with drug and
alcohol records off the road.  He wonders if this small
bipartisan gesture could be applied to greater problems
impacting the country:  So what about issues where the stakes
are higher? If Arkansas’ senators can address irresponsible
truck drivers, can they work together on the nation’s fiscal
irresponsibility?  Last week, Republicans and Democrats chose
compromise after making the country endure a lot of drama that
was unnecessary and frankly not very interesting. Hours before
shutting down the government, the two sides agreed to a budget
deal involving relatively minor spending cuts and then went
their separate ways, each blaming the other for the brouhaha. I
don’t want to say the whole thing was orchestrated,