The primary failing of the 112th Congress has been its inability — and often downright refusal — to produce solutions to the nation’s problems, both long-term and day-to-day.
Since convening in January 2011, the legislative branch of the federal government has passed fewer than 180 bills into law. A USA Today analysis in August projected the 112th could finish this year as the least productive Congress since World War II. A glaring example of the body’s dismal performance is the looming “fiscal cliff,” a $500-billion bundle of tax hikes and automatic cuts to the military and multiple federal agencies, triggered at year’s end if lawmakers fail to finalize a budget. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office warns the fallout would plunge the economy back into a recession.
The nation needs bipartisan cooperation on Capitol Hill. Republicans and Democrats, tea partiers and liberals, must converse, compromise and act to handle America’s present needs and future concerns. Two years of nonstop, polarized, political grandstanding has thwarted the economy’s growth. The country wants results from its Congress, not endless complaints from its members about the other branches of the U.S. government.
Moderate voices of reason will be valuable when the 113th Congress begins early next year. Thus, our endorsement in the race for Indiana’s 8th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives goes to Dave Crooks. The southern Indiana businessman spent 12 years as a representative in the Indiana House, ending that tenure to be with his stepdaughter, who lost a battle with leukemia, and tend to his growing business — a small group of radio stations. Crooks is a Democrat, but aptly describes himself as a moderate conservative. That viewpoint fits the 8th District, a vast 18-county area with a mix of conservatism, progressivism and in-between-ism.
Crooks especially appears able to address the wide range of concerns of Vigo Countians, who elect both Democrats and Republicans with some regularity. During his time in the Indiana Legislature, the House was evenly split between parties, 50-50. Every bill required negotiation and compromise. Lawmakers had to buck their party occasionally. Experience in that atmosphere would be refreshingly helpful in Washington, D.C., next year.
The Republican incumbent, freshman Rep. Larry Bucshon, is an Evansville area heart surgeon, with a sharp intellect and firsthand experience in the health-care field. Bucshon also has shown a bit more flexibility on some party-line issues than expected, in light of the partisan rhetorical atmosphere in his first campaign of 2010. Nonetheless, Bucshon has voted with his party 95.9 percent of time, the 18th highest rate of 240 House Republicans, according to Open Congress, a project of the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation.
Bucshon has cited some cases in which he crossed the political aisle to reach agreement, including the highway funding bill as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. That is admirable, but that sense of compromise has not emerged in the issues that have gridlocked Congress. We see Crooks as a more likely candidate to bring resolution to problems that have been left unaddressed for too long.
Opinion
EDITORIAL: Team effort needed
8th District candidate Dave Crooks more likely to take bipartisan approach
- Opinion
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EDITORIAL: It’s happening, and it’s here
There’s nothing to do in Terre Haute or in Vigo County.
Or Marshall, Ill. Or Brazil. Or Paris. -
EDITORIAL: A timely call-out of NSA critics
As if it couldn’t get worse, politicians in Washington have again tied themselves in knots.
Yes, we know. What else is new? -
READERS' FORUM: June 19, 2013
• Nutrition info falling short
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RONN MOTT: Why Syria?
Russia is making a lot of noise in favor of Syria. They are supplying Assad’s army with more armaments and basic things such as ammunition and such.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Another beloved dog goes to heaven
We are short one granddog. This past week, “Indy” could no longer use her back legs and she went to that great dog kennel in the hereafter.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 18, 2013
• Beware those who follow Ayn Rand
• Poor excuse for gas price hikes
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MAX JONES: For loyal readers, a bit of news from the T-S newsroom
As journalists toiling to create a content-rich, relevant and compelling community newspaper each day, we feel a special bond with our legions of readers across the Wabash Valley and beyond.
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GUEST COLUMN: One Million Bones exhibit meant to raise awareness, inspire action to end genocide
The National Mall: A grassy corridor in Washington, D.C., lined with America’s greatest museums and monuments.
Ending at the U.S. Capitol building, it is a symbol of our belief in the power and greatness of America. Last weekend, we turned it into a mass grave.
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EDITORIAL: Insisting on ISTEP quality lawmakers’ primary duty
Now that everyone, on both sides of the aisle, seems backslappingly happy to agree that this spring’s ISTEP school testing debacle was unacceptable, that at least some of the results lack credibility and that the issue carries high-stakes significance, what next?
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The Obama Debate: Is he a liar or incompetent?
I read the letters on the opinion page daily and I find an unusual silence from your liberal progressive contributors lately. Could it be because they don’t have anything to expound upon? Well, maybe I can give them some material.
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A Fathers Day Tribute: Transition — from child to father
Transition seems like a big word to use as his story unfolds. Transition was probably never used in conjunction with speech, his speech, but it demonstrates his life, as it does in many lives lived in his generation.
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READERS' FORUM: June 16, 2013
Horrible crime cries out for stern justice
Confused about groups’ merger
Global warming fraud exposed
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The Obama Debate: President has served us well
I have not heard a positive thing by those in this area about this president since his 2008 election and 2009 inauguration. Why this manifestation, I just can’t understand.
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RONN MOTT: Not hurried a bit by 21st century tech
Unlike so many of you, I do not get up in the morning and run to turn on my computer. In fact, if you need to reach me in a hurry, I would say that 19th century invention of Alexander Bell’s would be the best way. If you do email me or use some other electronic convenience, better give it a couple of days because I am not in that big of a hurry.
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READERS' FORUM: June 15, 2013
America needs another hero
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EDITORIAL: And now we wait for justice
It is a word we would rather never have on our front page — homicide. That we had to use it twice on Wednesday’s front page is sad, but unavoidable.
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READERS' FORUM: June 14, 2013
Mott statements contradict history
Display the flag
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RONN MOTT: Kill the Umpire!
I don’t know who appointed Major League Baseball’s umpires “Gods,” but if they have been appointed “Gods,” they have appointed people who cannot see or think very well.
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READERS' FORUM: June 13, 2013
Bad odor from gas prices
Build personal library
Morning after? No worries
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EDITORIAL: Remembering Sister Jeanne
Terre Haute is mourning the loss this week of an accomplished and beloved community activist and leader whose life’s work is an inspiration to all who strive to serve.
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EDITORIAL: Embrace the value of traffic planning
Never underestimate the value of a good plan to deal with a crisis, large or small, even if the final analysis of the management of a specific crisis is, “It could have been worse.”
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READERS' FORUM: June 12, 2013
Like it or not, change coming
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RONN MOTT: What’s happening?
I know I may have looked at these situations differently when I was in my twenties. The world, my life, my career, and the growth of my family all lay ahead of me. So perhaps now, many years later, I see it differently.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 11, 2013
• Great support for local cause
• Another idea on housing issue
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LIZ CIANCONE: Withdrawn society not very social any more
My Best Friend and I went out for lunch the other day. It was a sit-down place with our own “server” (in my day I was called “a waitress”) and everything offering personal attention. The manager even came over to ask if everything was all right.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 10, 2013
• What is the cost of our austerity?
• Vintage campers to gather at rally
• Seek a healthy food alternative
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EDITORIAL: It’s time to assess ISTEP
Later this month, the company behind this spring’s abysmal online administration of ISTEP testing for 27,000 Hoosier schoolchildren is being called to the principal’s office.
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Readers’ Forum: June 9, 2013
• Taking time to help the world
• Reform by politics will not improve education
• Questions from a wondering mind
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FLASHPOINT: Storm chasers must heed warnings, remember why we chase storms
The tragic death of noted weather researcher and former Discovery Channel storm chaser Tim Samaras has shaken all of us in the meteorological community.
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Will you be happy if you win the lottery?
A Psychology Today article titled “What Will You Do if You Win the $550 Million Powerball Lottery?” caught my attention. Helping lottery winners with their money is my long-time gig.
- More Opinion Headlines
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