OBAMA: Rally on common ground

In his State of the Union address, I was pleased to hear that President Obama called on members of Congress, and all of us, to work for public policies that are a reflection of our shared values. I support many of the specific proposals he laid out to move in that direction-such as raising the minimum wage, expanding child care and sick leave benefits, and working cooperatively with other nations.

Now it’s our turn, and Congress’ turn, to find places of agreement, and even to go further than the president has been willing to go to bring about a more peaceful and just world.

In particular, I would like to see my representative, Raul Labrador, and senators, James Risen and Mike Crapo, cut military spending and repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force.

Today our country is spending as much on the military as we did at the height of the Cold War and the Pentagon still wants an extra $50 billion in a slush fund (the Overseas Contingency Operation fund) not subject to congressional oversight. I would like to see Congress eliminate that funding.

After more than a decade of war, we know that there is no military solution to the threat of violent extremism Yet the Authorization for war passed just days after Sept. 11 is still in place. If we are really to “turn the page” on the past 15 years, Congress should start by repealing this law.

The State of the Union address marks the beginning of a policy discussion that will last all year. I look forward to seeing how Congress will continue to pursue policies that solve our common problems.

MO OLIVER

Coeur d’Alene