Congressional gridlock

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Congressional gridlock

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With Congress unable to agree on sorely needed legislation on climate change, the housing collapse, Medicare pricing and immigration problems, it appears that both parties are more interested in getting re-elected than in addressing serious problems we face.

The one area they are able to agree on is spending for war in Iraq and Afghanistan, adding another $162 billion for a total of $862 billion with no provision for how we are going to pay for it.

And now Democrats and Republicans have joined in sponsoring House Resolution 362, demanding that the president initiate an international plan to blockade Iran, which in effect is like declaring war. They can agree to support war, but disagree on the serious problems we face here at home.

No wonder there are more and more voters considering independent party candidates. And here in the Eighth Congressional District we have an opportunity to send a message to Rep. Christopher Van Hollen (D), who along with Rep. Steny Hoyer (D), is a co-sponsor of the Iranian blockade resolution.

We can support the election of Gordon Clark, Green Party candidate, who has asked Van Hollen to retract his co-sponsorship of the bill.

Charles. H. Harker, Sandy Spring