No one can deny that Senator Barack Obama is a strong public speaker. His speeches are engaging and often inspiring. However, many people, including me, are absolutely astounded that Obama can move crowds of supporters and skeptics alike with a message of change, without really saying anything about the change he intends to implement. No real specifics or concrete plan, just rhetoric.

Most folks do agree with one of his claims – that partisan fighting in Washington, D.C., yields little in the way of results and merits nothing but immediate change. I agree.

What would Congress be like if Republicans and Democrats chose to be concerned with their constituents rather than their own incumbency, ego or campaign war chest? What if the party in the majority allowed, with regularity, the party in the minority to bring decent and significant legislation to the floor for debate or even to chair committees that shape bills before the whole body considers them? What if every member of the legislature had an equal say in where and how tax dollars were spent?

Cynics among us would contend such scenarios are dreams and should be relegated to the world of fantasy. But I’m proud to report that in the Georgia Senate, these are no longer hypothetical “what ifs,” rather the daily reality of our chamber. Since Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle took office, the Senate has changed and for the better.

Lt. Gov. Cagle made it clear that the chamber would operate with decorum and the utmost respect for each and every senator. He believed, as do I, that no senator is more important than another because we all represent about 160,000 Georgians who depend on us to speak and to vote on their behalf. Two Democrats received committee chairmanships. No district was penalized in the budgeting process because of the party affiliation of its senator. Every member is afforded the highest respect by the presiding officer, staff and fellow members. Instead of ostracizing the minority party, Lt. Gov. Cagle embraced them and allowed its members to carry some of his significant legislation through the General Assembly. As the ultimate testament to the cordiality in the body, many, if not most, bills pass the Senate with 85 percent support or higher.

To list the pieces of noteworthy legislation that the state Senate has passed in recent years would require a number of separate articles. However, a few examples should be mentioned:

Mother’s Right to Know and ultrasound bill – this single bill will have the effect of limiting abortions by approximately 40 percent.

Tort reform – we can now limit the number of frivolous law suits in Georgia.

Stronger laws against child molesters and predators.

Saved HOPE Scholarship program from going broke and ensured funds were properly used.

Funded $67,300,000 (not counting 2009) for land conservation grants to purchase threatened parcels of lands and buy development rights from landowners.

$1.7 billion in Homeowner Tax Relief Grants to lower property taxes since 2005.

Stronger eminent domain laws to protect the rights of property owners.

An ethics law with teeth to root out corruption in government.

A comprehensive water plan to protect one of our most valuable natural resources.

One of the strongest state immigration laws in the country.

A legislative body needs structure. There will be a majority and there will be a minority party. No one questions that. And no one will argue that everyone should agree on all issues. Debate, discussion, and compromise are essential ingredients to make our government work.

However, when that structure and division are tinted with retributive and often petty politics, then the fabric of our “republic” suffers. When the two work together, the amount of good that can be accomplished is virtually limitless.

I am thankful that I serve in such a body that does work together, and I hope and pray that other similar bodies, including our Congress, would take note and learn.

As always, please contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area by calling 404.656.9221 or emailing to chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov.