Progressive policies aren’t working

A progressive score card:

Almost 50 million on food stamps.

A major portion of those receiving unemployment benefits out of work for more than six months.

Foreign affairs - successes or failures? Egypt, Libya, Syria, Benghazi, Ukraine.

Affordable Care Act - success or failure? Website fouled up, costing a half-billion dollars; implementation on business, individual plans, mandated youth enrollment all delayed until after midterm election.

A major push to increase the federal minimum wage and overtime pay for salaried personnel when many CFOs say this will restrict hiring or put more people on part-time status. This when the nation has a surplus of labor?

Recently, an education initiative. Will more federal dollars improve reading, math and science scores? I believe federal money invested in charter schools and vouchers, which would allow parents to choose a public school, would show more cost/benefit.

More money for infrastructure. A six-year wait?

No action on Keystone XL pipeline after six years of study? This delay is trying the Canadian patience. This oil will be moved and sold regardless of U.S. doddering and movement of oil by pipeline is safer for the environment than shipment by rail.

These progressive policies are not working as advertised and should receive a failing grade. We need change all right - change Congress, then look to changing the president. Get involved, do your homework, vote in the June primary.

John Stiegelmeyer

Vinton