If only we had a handful of Centrist Independents in the U.S. Senate right now to be the catalyst for a more constructive debate over real health care reform. Health care does not have to be a hyper-partisan issue; sadly the Republicans and Democrats have turned it into one.

The House veterans affairs committee unanimously approved changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill Wednesday. It is one of two bills introduced in the last month to better educational benefits to future veterans.

It was an all nighter for GOP Senate leaders as they search for 50 votes to open a debate on ObamaCare repeal-and-replace legislation.

And a change in tactics.

The meeting between lawmakers came after a scolding at the White House from President Trump, who demanded they come up with a solution to the repeal and replace ObamaCare.

The move reverses course from their plans to move to a vote on a straight repeal of ObamaCare.

Congress is debating whether to repeal the Affordable Care Act or improve it, but there is a third option that has gained serious momentum. Americans are more supportive now of a single-payer type health care system than ever before.

Wouldn’t it be nice if politicians engaged with their constituents in order to get their vote and their donations? One-on-one? Knocking on doors in neighborhoods? Speaking with them individually? Learning about the issues and concerns that they have, rather than listening to lobbyists and special interests?

Wouldn't it also be nice if we could return as much of the legislative and voting process to one person casting a single vote? If we could get the corrupting influence of money out of politics in general?

blah, blah, blah

I was in Seattle recently (great city, fabulous, everyone says so), and while there a very nice and gregarious person was telling us about how excited she was for the upcoming $15 minimum wage (it's currently $13).

I knew almost nothing about it other than brief headlines on the news, so I listened but didn't add much. But it was a good opportunity to then go do some research.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94TTJxOQ_ts

As a born and bred Jersey girl, it’s only natural that I’m stubborn about my politics. My friends and I all have ideas about candidates, issues, and New Jersey government.

Colorado is home to over 1.3 million independents, yet there is not a single independent legislator in either the State House or State Senate. Independents are the largest and fastest growing group of voters but they remain voiceless in the state legislature. This is, in part, due to the anti-competitive hurdles created by the two-party system.