At first, I was concerned that Bill Bloonfield's refusal to caucus with either party would stunt his effectiveness in Congress.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6-jFd4-B6M -- Bloomfield's Interview with Libertarian/Progressive.com
If he does not choose sides, then where will he stand on issues? How will have any impact in Congress
Bloomfield made the case in an interview with Thomas of "Libertarian/Progressive" that his independence from special interests will make an ideal fixture in major committees.
He can make decisions that will benefit the entire country, not just his party -- since he has none -- or a special interest group -- since he is beholden to none.
Bloomfield has outlined in previous interviews that he demands that leaders of both parties come together and put him on committees were gridlock has been the rule.
On the Ways and Means Committee, he could play a crucial role in getting members of Congress to work together and respect the interests of the majority party as well as the opposition. For the past fifty years, the Ways and Means Committee has prospered the legislation of the majority party, pushing out the interests of the minority.
An independent could broker the compromises needed to bring in minority support and get the majority caucus to consider the needs of the entire country. Imagine a team of independent minded legislators who could block unseemly legislation or who could remove easy handouts and pork barrel spending during the mark-up sessions.
Real budget reform, with tax and spending cuts and appropriate revenue increases, would be the order of the day.
Bloomfield's refusal to caucus with anyone party may strike some decline-to-state voters as naive or arrogant, yet the first step towards compelling members of Congress to work together and solve the massive debt and deficit problems in this country must take place by whatever means, and independent leadership may provide the catalyst for change.
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