Hope for the 113th Congress? Hope is not a strategy...

Hope for the 113th Congress? Hope is not a strategy... 

Regarding the 113th Congress, Gail Collins says, "The bar is low, since some people believe the departing 112th Congress was the worst in history, because of its stupendous lack of productivity and a favorability rating that once polled lower than the idea of a Communist takeover of America."

I really try not to be unkind but I am fed up to my eyeballs with the ignorant, close-minded people who insist on taking a hard line stand on issues (they oft know nothing about) and then making an enemy of anyone who offers facts on their position -- or God-forbid, on an opposing position. That ignorant, dug-in, positional “bargaining” is what causes gridlock. 

Since when is knowing the facts a bad idea? I have lots and lots of intelligent friends whose opinions and needs differ. Therefore their stands differ. They check the facts and take a personal position then give merit to another's stand. That's what partisanship is really about in a Democracy. Disagreement and debate are good things and America is well served when political parties represent different viewpoints and then compete vigorously -- INTELLIGENTLY, FAIRLY AND HONESTLY -- to recruit voters to their side. 

Considering the fact that the 112th Congress engaged in such ignorant and childish behavior we should not look to them as examples of civil political discourse or statesman-like behavior. Elected officials were crumpling up proposals and throwing them in fireplaces, calling each other dictators and telling each other to “Go f— yourself." The angry feelings that members of Congress have toward each other have somehow led the American public to think that treating others with such disdain is acceptable – often encouraged. Well, it is not. 

Stop being such undignified, ignorant, self-righteous jackasses acting as if your way is the only way. Maybe your way works for you but not for another. What is important to you may not be important to another. Get over yourself and start working with not against to move this country forward. You and I may disagree on a topic of discussion but I guarantee you this – YOUR positional rather than principled method of “negotiation” gets us nowhere. Compromise is not a weakness. Geez, even Tea Party favorite, Paul Ryan voted FOR tax increases in the final fiscal cliff proposal – which all agree was less than stellar. He is not stupid. 

If someone tells you we can fix this without cutting spending, he is lying, ignorant or confused. If someone tells you we can fix this without raising taxes, he is lying, ignorant or confused. 

News Flash: GROVER NORQUIST is NOT an elected official and the ONLY pledge the elected officials should have taken was the OATH of office!