ForConstructionPros.com

The partisanship in Washington D.C. is exhausting. I can't imagine any young, idealistic American wanting to run for a Congressional seat in hopes of making a difference for his or her constituents back home. Hard-liners on both sides of the aisle have proven time and again that compromise is akin to heresy of their party's core political beliefs, whether they are liberal or conservative.

Common sense or even the hint of compromise rarely finds its way into action that could benefit the average Joe who has put his trust in an elected official who promised to do the “right thing” if given the chance.

It's particularly frustrating to watch these goofballs, though I'm sure they are well-intended goofballs, blast one another over proposed legislation when so many Americans are struggling to find a job to pay their bills and support their families.

Health care reform, for example, became the Congressional albatross that consumed Washington for much of 2009, spilling into this year to finally find itself cast aside when those on The Hill decided it was no longer worth their time to debate and find a meaningful resolution. You may recall that in my February column I predicted passage by mid-February. I wrote that column in mid-January when I actually believed Republicans, Democrats and the Obama Administration would finish the job. Sorry, I must have had one of those idealistic average Joe moments.

So, now at the time of this writing (Feb. 24) I'm feeling pretty good about the $15 billion jobs bill the Senate advanced 24 hours earlier. I know I should be careful on this one, but the fact that recently-elected Scott Brown (R-MA) and four other Republicans helped to advance the bill has provided some hope that we do have elected officials willing to work in a bipartisan way to do what's right for those they represent.