Angry with Congress?

I've been lobbying the U.S. Congress for over 25 years. I've seen the good, and I've seen the bad.

My most memorable lesson from walking the halls in Washington, DC, is that, while that Capitol dome is big, one single person can make a big difference. That single fact got me into this work, and that single fact keeps me flying back.

Americans have never been so angry and dissatisfied with the legislative branch. There are times when the cynicism is misplaced. Media dumbs down good work I commonly see getting done, and the people let themselves get spun by junk posing as real news. When the media and its consumers get lazy, we're all in trouble.

But there's also ample cause for dissatisfaction with Congress. The polarized pandering posing as politics should make us angry.  As the bumper sticker says, "If you're not angry, you are not paying attention."

Right now inaction on Boulder-White Clouds has me angry. I've watched nearly a decade of extraordinary work by Idahoans across the board craft a commonsense compromise. I have also recently watched this compromise—largely shaped by tireless Rep. Mike Simpson—improve, tighten and get what seemed to be support from all members of the Idaho delegation and other leaders.

And then nothing. I was in DC again last week at a White House conference. Several senior congressional leaders asked what's up? It's so close; why the delay?

There are reasons America is angry with Congress. Leaders who fail to lead is one of them.

You can help give the delegation a push.