Sally Mauk: Former congressmen an example of intelligent debate

My father remains my barometer of what centrist America is thinking. Although he traveled the world for his work, he has lived his entire 86 years in south-central Kansas, where weather and family are the dominant conversation. He is not a member of any political party or movement, but he has voted in every election of his adult life and he pays attention to who and what he’s voting for.

Dad wants to throw the bums out. He’s had it with the bickering and the stalemates and the slogans and the pandering. He is not alone in his disgust.

I raised this disgust with two former members of Congress who were in Missoula recently as part of the new Mansfield Center Public Policy and Leadership Initiative. Gil Gutknecht was the Republican congressman from Minnesota from 1995 to 2007. Les Aucoin was a Democratic congressman from Oregon from 1975 to 1993.

They came to the University of Montana through the "Congress to Campus" program, where former members of Congress visit campuses to share a personal look at how Congress actually works – and to inspire young people to become active in politics and civic life.

Gutknecht and Aucoin agree the current atmosphere in Congress is "toxic," as is much of the current public debate. They cite several reasons, including the instant reach of the Internet and an ever more partisan media.

By SALLY MAUK for the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_c5815994-d352-11df-9a19-001cc4c002e0.html