It’s no secret that the state legislature has been in a standoff for the last two months over a budget vetoed by the governor of this great state.

The governor says there are a few reasons he vetoed the budget, but the one that was at the root of the standoff is expansion of Medicaid in the state. Republicans said a hard no on that one; Democrats argue that expansion ultimately will cost the state less, as treatment for the uninsured is costing taxpayers money anyway.

For the past two months, neither side has been willing to budge.

Then came Wednesday at The Capitol and a session that many people chose to sit out. Everyone was told there would be no votes that morning. Some, it’s said, were attending 9-11 memorial services. But once certain legislators realized there weren’t enough Democrats present to vote against a veto override, a vote was called. The House passed the veto override.

It’s questionable politicking, at best.

The first thing that happens when questionable politics by one party are called out by the other party is a knee-jerk, finger-pointing, “Well, they did it first!”

Yes, the Democrats pulled a similar stunt to get the education lottery passed in 2005.

So both parties are guilty of using questionable means to get what they want. And they are both wrong.

There’s this thing called the Golden Rule. Our legislators might remember it. It goes something like, “Do unto others as you would have them do until you.” It’s pretty much a foundation of many religions and cultures, including our own.

The Rule is not “Do unto others what will benefit you the most, at others’ expense.” It’s also not, “Play fair, unless you’re not winning. Then play dirty.”

No one would teach a child those maxims. Yet that exact behavior was not only on full display in Raleigh this week, it was celebrated by many.

It seems that those tasked with doing the most important work to be done in this state and for all its people might want to take a refresher course on what it means to do the right thing; to work with others; to be honest and fair; and the fact that two wrongs will never make a right.