Inside D.C.

All I want is…

The universal question of the season is “so, what do you want for Christmas?”  Feel free to amend that question with Hannukah, Kwanzaa or your holiday of choice.  In any event,  I’m not one of those who demurs and says, “Don’t bother, I’ve got everything I need.”  Nope, I hit ‘em with my list, detailed down to style, size, color, model type and serial number.  I’ve perfected this list-making skill since I was a greedy five-year-old.

So, when I’m asked what I want out of the 114^th Congress – or more generally, the next couple of years in DC – I whip out the list.  My subjective desires are as follow:

I want all members Congress – particularly the freshmen – to get a tattoo or a semi-permanent marking, easily visible at all times, bearing the message: “Constituents always come first.”  Philosophy and grand purpose are great; results and service are better.

I want every member of Congress and the Administration to meditate daily over the phrase: “Debt is bad; surplus is good.”  As proof, I want to see all 12 appropriations bills individually debated and approved for FY2016 and 2017 – which hasn’t happened since 1996 – and the notion that “riders are the new earmarks” must be banned.

I want House Speaker John Boehner (R, OH) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R, KY) to demonstrate the leadership and statesmanship of which we know their capable, leading by example when it comes to reaching across the aisle and letting regular order and open debate be the rule of the day on all issues.  I also wish them the fortitude to look at members of their caucus and just say “no.”

I want House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D, CA) and her Senate counterpart Harry Reid (D, NV) to sit down with Boehner and McConnell and work out 114th Congress issues agenda and strategy for success.

I want Boehner, McConnell, Pelosi, Reid and their lieutenants to take an oath they’ll banish blame, finger pointing, partisan sniping and ridicule from their public statements.  The President can join if he wants.

I want all members, no matter their party affiliation, who keep saying to anyone who’ll listen, “I don’t care if I’m reelected,” to ask themselves, “Then why am I here?” or, perhaps more importantly,  “Why should anyone listen to me?”

I want the President to banish the consideration of “legacy” from all White House  discussion of issues priority and strategy.

I want the President to back nice words with actions.  If you praise homegrown technologies, if you want to keep tech companies in the U.S., then allow the regulatory/approval system to work efficiently.  If you praise transparency, then be transparent.

I want the President to stun the socks off Boehner and McConnell by being the first adult in the room to propose policy innovation, seriously offering to work with them to negotiate best-possible outcomes whether the issue is immigration reform, climate change, the environment or foreign policy and trade agreements.

I want to see both Congress’ and the President’s public approval ratings at the end of the 114^th Congress sitting comfortably over 60%.

That’s my top 10 “wants” for Christmas.  But, I’m also reminded that as a child, as I crafted my Christmas list, my Grandma Ellen – a fine, but crusty Swedish lady – would scan the list, mentally note the price of some/most of the items, smile, and say sweetly, “Oh, honey, people in hell want ice water, too.”

To you and your family, please have a superior holiday season!