It's an embarrassment that we don't have a broad enough consensus among political leaders that true reform should take place. I could count the members of Congress on one hand that took these issues seriously.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Reform is not for the short-winded. I'm committed to making sure the Senate is more than just a graveyard for good ideas.
When Congress puts party labels aside, like we did on VA reform, we can accomplish some great things for the American people. But those occasions were far too rare.
I've had a growing conviction that Congress is not operating as it should. There is much too much partisanship and not enough progress.
When Congress legislates in haste, it often causes more problems than it solves. But Congress rarely reconsiders its mistakes.
It always takes a scandal to bring about reform.
We have to reform the entire political process. It's got to start with leadership by example.
History shows that there is no more potent engine for reform than the passion of voters who feel betrayed by the politicians they hoped would do the right thing.
We've seen more reform in the last year than we've seen in decades, and we haven't spent a dime yet. It's staggering how the Recovery Act is driving change.
The fight for reform comes down to a simple goal: giving our citizens the confidence that government serves the people first and the people only.
There is a consensus of willing leaders from both parties coalescing around the right way forward in health care. Reform should address government-imposed inequities and barriers to true choice and competition.