When the Democrats took control of Congress earlier this month many of us to the right of the aisle thought that they would raise taxes and cause a massacre to our economy, with their spend-now, balance-later budget ideals. Many conservatives thought that their action would only send our nation farther into debt.
But due to some sound economic and somewhat moderate thinking, the six acts they have passed since taking control of congress earlier this month have created incentives for those who matter most and have united one of the most polarized capitols ever.
These six acts included an ethics reform targeting lobbyists, enacting 9/11 Commissions recommendations, raising the minimum wage, funding stem cell research, lowering interest rates on student loans, and cutting tax beneifits for oil companies.
With the interest of the youth on their mind, the House of Representatives passed the Make College Affordable Act by a 356-71 vote, with 124 Republicans joining all 232 Democrats in support of the bill. This bill is the greatest legislation for the young since Megan’s Law, which requires residents to be notified if a convicted sex offender moves into their neighborhood.
This long over-due, bipartisan supported bill is the key toward a positive image of our representatives.
A prime example on simplistically sound legislation, the MCAA would help the average student save a staggering $4,400. The key component of the plan is that interest rates on student loans are set to drop from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent in 2011, just in time for the current freshman class.
Many opponents of the act point out the $6 billion cost to a nation in a deficit and the question of what will happen in 2012: will the interest go back up?
Yet, what the critics do not realize is that the time is now.
The $6 billion could not go to a better initiative, because in allowing the recent college graduates to save more in a period of tight money, their spending habits will dramatically stimulate the economy.
These first “100 Hours” of Congress have brought a tremendous amount of reassurance as to what Washington could be. A Democratic controlled Congress and a Republican president have brought us back to sixth grade social studies class and show us why our constitutional ideals of checks and balance are crucial to our political system.
With two tablespoons of bi-partisanship, a dash of moderation, and a handful of fresh ideas, it is great to see our legislators finally cooking up some productive governing.
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