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OUR VIEW: Not all Democrats are irresponsible (vote in poll)
In Colorado Springs for the Global New Energy Summit, Colorado Sen. Mark Udall stopped by The Gazette to meet with the editorial board Tuesday. Conservatives would do well to take a look at this Democrat. From what could be described as a Democratic political dynasty, Udall is the son of Morris “Mo” Udall, a former congressman from Arizona and candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976. His cousin is Tom Udall, a senator from New Mexico, and he is the nephew of former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall. With that legacy, you might say environmental and social issues probably are dear to his heart. You would certainly be right, but also wrong.
Yes, a major part of Udall’s focus is on renewable and alternative energy sources. He views this as essential for America’s long-term energy needs. He stresses that Colorado can and should be at the forefront of developing new technology and innovative ideas for energy. He can also opine eloquently on the need for controversial social programs, including Planned Parenthood. But there’s much more to this congressman. Udall feels little progress can be made on the energy front with the major budget issues that our country has failed to resolve.
Udall sounds a lot like a knowledgeable, creative conservative. He is the only Democrat to advocate for a balanced budget amendment. He says that it has to be on the list of things to “get our fiscal house in order.” Despite the fact that such an amendment would take years to ratify, Udall said he feels so strongly about it that he has thrown everything behind it. He is critical of the processes in the Senate, particularly filibusters, and seems ready to look at the so-called sacred cows: Social Security, Medicare and other popular entitlements, while pushing for innovation, new markets and new products.
Along with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Udall introduced legislation last month calling for an “unauthorizing committee.” It would target wasteful and under-performing federal programs for elimination. Udall sees a lot of redundancy that needs to be eliminated and feels this committee could save taxpayers billions.
On Social Security, Udall said he would support a Simpson-Bowles mix approach of raising the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) cap, slowly raising the retirement age while excepting manual laborers. On that and what programs to cut, Udall takes a more traditional Democratic line but still seems open to discussion and ideas. That is what Congress is designed to do, Udall said talking about the recent budget debates in Washington. “We (Democrats) stood our ground, and you saw the debate turn... That’s the point of Congress, bring your point of view, debate, put ideas on the table.”
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When Udall outlined the approach he would take to immigration it definitely wasn’t amnesty, favored by many Democrats. Saying we need to shore up the borders and establish a process to address illegal workers, Udall would identify those here illegally, deport any with criminal records and establish a process to let people work towards citizenship. The current quotas are too stringent he said, but blanket amnesty would not be on the table.
During this time of obvious fiscal crisis, it is comforting to know that Colorado, at least, has a senator who is willing to avoid the partisan game playing that usually defines Washington. Now, if only more of Congress would follow his lead. — Pula Davis , for the editorial board
