POLITICS - Congressional Problem Solvers

"Congressional problem solvers" by Jeff Kirkland Helena, Helena Independent Record 8/28/2013

Poll after poll shows that Americans are mightily dissatisfied with Congress and hold the institution in low regard.  Gridlock seems to be the modus operandi, and partisan bickering by many members of Congress seems to put a premium on posturing rather than the cooperation and collaboration necessary to serve the country, the reason for which they were elected.

Now a coalition of more than 80 Congressmen and women, both Democrats and Republicans, are joining together to try to regain communication across the aisle to be able to collectively solve our nation’s myriad problems.  They call themselves “Problem Solvers” and are an outgrowth of a movement called “No Labels.”

These “Problem Solvers” have proposed a legislative package of nine initiatives called “Making Government Work.”  They have worked together to create a package of common–sense bills to address government waste and inefficiencies.

Each of the initiatives is co–sponsored by a Democrat and a Republican.  Some initiatives include:  No Budget, No Pay for Legislators; 21st-century Health Care for Heroes, which would merge electronic health records of the Department of Defense with the Department of Veterans Affairs; and Stay in Place, Cut Waste, which would cut 50 percent of agency travel and replace it with video conferencing.

If you’re interested in good government and the possible regaining of across–the–aisle cooperation, you should take a look at the “No Labels” website.  Check out the list of members and their legislative package.  It is a refreshing approach to finding positive ways to solve Congressional gridlock.  It would be nice if Montana’s Congressional delegation took a look, too, and decided to become “Problem Solvers.”