Wiston Papers

The Freshman Class

Much is written about the ideological divide between Democrats and Republicans.  And there is almost equal discussion regarding intra-party bickering:  liberal vs conservative Democrats; Tea Party Republicans vs the moderate and liberal GOP.

In a Congress comprising 435 members ,a broad philosophical spectrum is expected and, in fact, should be welcomed.  The problem is accomplishment and this Congress has produced little of significance.

Despite frequent criticism of the Freshman class of Congress, they offer fresh ideas and a much-needed passion for change.

When my wife and I watched President Obama’s State of the Union address earlier this year, the cameras panned across the faces of the assembled Representatives and Senators. 

We were immediately struck with one observation:  there are too many elderly members who have served too many years.  As the cliché goes “They are part of the problem not the solution.”

In my state, both Republican Senator Charles “Chuck” Grassley and Democrat Tom Harken have been in Washington too long.  Grassley first elected to the Senate in 1980; Harken in 1984.

They are symptomatic of what is wrong with our legislative leadership.  Both are too much part of the  “inside the Beltway” establishment to  express credible creative approaches to problem solving.  And they are too far removed from the Iowans they purportedly represent to understand the contemporary problems citizens of the Hawkeye state face or to offer fresh, passionate and enthusiastic service.  In a word, they are too old and too tired for the job.

Meanwhile, Congressional redistricting in Iowa has tossed two incumbents against each other this fall.   Regardless of who may win, Leonard Boswell (D-1997) and Tom Latham (R-1995)  are veteran lawmakers who have outlasted  their usefulness for many of the reasons cited for Grassley and Harken.

There is risk in change, but given the current legislative stalemate and growing animosity across the aisles of Congress, the only solution is to start fresh.

That’s the reason that this fall I will vote against all incumbents and hope that we can begin anew with fresh faces and fresh ideas.  Only if voters in all other states do the same will we see the possibility of meaningful change.

Another Freshman class is needed this fall.

Steve Coon

April 23, 12