Using Bikes To Promote Bipartisanship : Roll Call Opinion

• Published in: Roll call (Washington, D.C.)
• Main Author: Blumenauer, Earl
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, D.C CQ Roll Call 15.11.2012
• ISSN: 0035-788X

For years, I've traveled the country preaching "bike-partisanship" - using bike (and pedestrian) facilities to help people burn calories instead of fossil fuel, improve their health, have fun and enrich the community. Red State, Blue State, Republican, Democrat or independent, it doesn't matter. The public gets it, and has been part of an amazing renaissance in communities large and small. Eighty-six percent of Americans think getting full information about their situation as a loved one nears the end of life should be a top priority. Before the controversy over "death panels" overshadowed it, a provision in the 2010 health care law requiring dissemination of such information enjoyed bipartisan backing. Almost no one is opposed to the objective, and new legislation could be passed easily now that we're implementing the health care law. These are all bipartisan initiatives overwhelmingly embraced by the public, and they save tax dollars. Is it perhaps time to have a Legislator's Caucus, where members in both parties who just want to get something done can come together with ideas like these? Concentrating on "second tier" issues that don't have to be controversial or expensive would have significant effect.