Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
Political courage needed in Washington
Submitted by Jack McCullough on August 24, 2012
POLITICAL COURAGE: In order to make any progress in Washington, we need leaders who will make the tough decisions, even when they are unpopular. No Labels Citizen Leader Ed Conant writes for Savannah Morning News: “Fixing the deficit is the greatest political challenge of our time. It will require shared sacrifice from rich and poor, right and left, east and west. America’s president needs the skill and courage to unite us in this struggle, not divide us.” Ed Conant forSavannah Morning News: Conant: Courage at the Top
REPORTERS FRUSTRATED: Those covering the news on Capitol Hill are frustrated with the red team/blue team rhetoric. All too often, the daily news stories are defined by conservative and liberal spin -- and anything else is left out. An ex-NPR reporter wants to ask tougher questions: Patrick Gavin for POLITICO: Ex-NPR Hill reporter: Lied to daily
THE ELUSIVE SWING VOTER: The swing voters are being courted by both campaigns, but according to a poll by The Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation, six in 10 swing voters haven’t made up their mind yet, and don’t think they will until Election Day. And this group doesn’t think either party is better than the other on the economy. Both campaigns need to focus more on their positions, instead on small issues, to inform voters what they are voting for: Scott Clement for The Washington Post: Who are the swing voters? They’re not just independents
INSIDE LOOK: Mike Lofgren, a former congressional staffer in the House and Senate Budget committees, takes a look at the dysfunction in Washington. Lofgren believes that partisan primaries and gerrymandering favor candidates in the extremes of both parties. He also says that citizens are part of the problem. He believes people have become more polarized as they only listen to the news that agrees with their personal views. “People have to be civically engaged, intelligently engaged and informed,” he says: Shannon McGovern for U.S. News and Report: Who Is to Blame for Washington Gridlock?
EDWARDS INTERVIEW: No Labels Co-Founder Rep. Mickey Edwards recently released his new book, The Parties Vs. the People. In an interview about his book he looks at why elected officials are choosing to move closer to the poles saying, "Today, neither Democrats nor Republicans are open to proposals—no matter what their merits—that emanate from a member of the other party." Anna Meier for the Project on Government Oversight: The Parties Versus the People: An Interview with Mickey Edwards
BAD YEAR: Most people would agree that it has been a bad year for Congress. But how bad has it really been? It has experienced record-low approval ratings in both The Wall Street Journal and Gallup polls and only 61 pieces of legislation have been passed. Congress hasn't even been in session for 100 days this year. In addition, the state of the farm bill, automatic spending cuts taking place in January and the expiration of the Bush tax cuts are among the issues that need resolutions: Linda Killian for The Atlantic: Our Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Congress
LISTEN NOW: No Labels Co-Founder Dan Schnur was recently on the Jim Bohannon show to discuss the approaching fiscal cliff. Schnur discusses the approaching fiscal cliff and what a more effective government could do to improve the situation. Click here to listen to the interview: The Jim Bohannon Show: August 22nd, 2012
ACROSS-THE-AISLE SOLUTION: After the Congressional Budget Office released its prediction that the fiscal cliff would cause the American economy to fall into another recession, voters will look at both presidential tickets' budget plans more closely. Agustino Fontevecchia argues that this is a perfect chance for both candidates to find a common ground solution. Both budgets feature fiscal tightening and could help pave the way for a short-term solution for the fiscal cliff: Agustino Fontevecchia for Forbes: Fiscal Cliff Should Help Obama And Paul Ryan Find Common Ground On Budget
FROM THE FIELD: Jill Rahrig of Traverse City, Michigan and her team of No Labels citizens have placed 60 yard signs on roadways and front lawns all across the State of Michigan. Follow Jill's example and tell your neighbors about No Labels!
THE DAILY BREAK: Do you know the words to Carly Rae Jepsen's hit "Call Me Maybe?" Rep. Joe Crowley does. Check out Jepsen's performance on the Today Show as Crowley appears at the 1:40 mark: Patrick Gavin for POLITICO: Call Congressman Joe Crowley, maybe
ACTION OF THE DAY: Connect with us on LinkedIn. If you don't have an account, click here to create one.
STAT OF THE DAY: A new USC/Times poll found that 58 percent of those surveyed said they watched their local TV news daily, making it the most visited news media outlet: James Rainey for the Los Angeles Times: Voters still tuned in to traditional news media, poll finds
Written & edited by Kelsey McLaughlin, Collin Berglund, Lauren Gilbert and Jack McCullough
Tips, questions or ideas? Email the Problem-Solver's Daily team at psdaily@nolabels.org or tweet at us (@nolabelsorg).
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12 Ways to Make Congress Work!
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
11 Ways to Make the Presidency Work!
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointment
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointment
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
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