Editor,

Regarding Walt Mistler’s Sept. 24 letter in the Whidbey News-Times, what we seem to have in Washington, D.C., is a party of “yes” and a party of “no.”

The Democrats want every social scheme they come up with passed without reservation or cost, and the Republicans say no, much like a parent talking to a child in a toy store, reasoning that we cannot afford every social and “green” program the Democrats want.

Republicans have been branded as obstructionists and causing roadblocks by the Democrats.

The blame lies elsewhere.

The Republican-controlled House has sent hundreds of bills to the Democrat-controlled Senate for a vote. One person, and one person only, is the obstructionist, and that is House Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who determines which bills come up for votes.

The Republicans forwarded bills with solutions to problems, tax and money bills, health care and a host of others that Harry Reid has blocked. Then, during news interviews or speeches, the president and Mr. Reid call the Republicans obstructionists for not forwarding legislation he can act on and not working together, meaning legislation that favors them.

I monitor the Congressional voting record in a regional daily newspaper and it is plain for all to see that our representative, Congressman Rick Larsen, votes in lockstep with the Democrats.

If it is Republican originated, they vote against it, regardless. Democrats do not want the Republicans to gain legislation they can crow about no matter how beneficial it would be to the country.

It is  extremely rare, if at all, that you see Rick Larsen’s name alongside a Republican’s on a vote. This is not representation of the people that elected him but loyalty to the Democrat party. Isn’t he supposed to represent all of his constituents?

Is it no wonder we have a stagnant Congress?

None in Washington, D.C., have the country’s best interests in mind.

Their only goal is re-election, and that is why Harry Reid only allows the bills he likes to come to the floor for a vote, the ones that will garner the votes come re-election time.

Every bill from the House should be voted on, yea or nay, not selectively culled by roadblock master Harry Reid.

Ed Hickey

Oak Harbor