Work together to end gridlock

Conservatives, Democrats and President Barack Obama share in the blame for the gridlock we see in Washington. They all point fingers at one another, but all of them have been disingenuous and misleading to the American people. Gone are the days when a Hubert Humphrey and Everett Dirksen could support one another and hammer out a bill together from both sides and get it pushed through the U.S. Senate. Gone are the days when bills, not emergency funding measures, were the mainstay of legislating.

I am sick to death of our current situation in Washington. Obama has exceeded his presidential authority, but impeachment is ludicrous. The Republicans have to get back control of their party to the Bob Michel and Bob Dole wing of the party. These conservatives have gone too far in being obstinate and playing games on every little measure trotted out by the Democratic Left. The Democrats also play games, we know they make their living staying in office off the backs of the poor. Where they can meet Republicans is in waste and cronyism, who is being served and served effectively? I do not want the U.S. Postal Service to go under. I favor an Internet tax. I do not want our roads and bridges to suffer more. I favor a gas tax of modest proportions to that end. In other words, let's get real about paying our bills and doing the nation's business.

Cort Stapleton

Cedar Rapids