Last night, as I finalized the copy for this website, I tuned in the State of the Union address by President Obama. With Prom Night seating arrangements, the shared heartache at the sight of the empty chair of Representative Gabby Giffords, the “let’s work together” themes from the President’s speech – there seemed, more so than in the recent past, a sense of civil togetherness in the House chamber last night.
On the other hand, there remains little expectation that that feeling will generate genuine cooperation among the members of Congress in the months to come as they develop their agenda and work to implement it. Perhaps as a portent there were not one but two rebuttal speeches following the President’s.
As the climate of “business-as-usual” returns to Washington, I launch this website to convince you that it doesn’t have to be that way. I hope you will look over the Public Check on Congress proposal and imagine how a climate of collective responsibility and accountability for members of Congress could permanently change for the better the atmosphere surrounding the work of Congress and its impact on the country. Your thoughts will be welcome.
Bill B.