13 Politicians (Both Parties) Who Did at Least 1 Good Thing (T13 #3)

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To be sure, some unpleasant things (deliberate understatement) have happened in our nation. During periods of extreme frustration, it's only natural that sensible citizens might throw up their hands and emphatically proclaim that all politicians in Washington suck.

After the blood pressure stabilizes and we get back to calmly reviewing the evidence, it's easy to see that it's not all bad. In fact, many politicians from both parties have done or are doing a few good things: hence, my Thursday 13 list.

1. Charles Grassley (R-IA): investigated FDA corruption

2. Henry Waxman (D-CA): investigated contractor waste and fraud

3. Arlen Specter (R-PA):  investigated Justice Department corruption

4. Patrick Leahy (D-VT): investigated Justice Department corruption

5. John Hoekstra (R-MN): investigated federal spending

6. John Conyers (D-MI):  investigated Justice Department Corruption

7. John McCain (R-AZ): made efforts toward campaign-finance reform

8. Ted Kennedy (D-MA): voted to increase funds to state/local police

9. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA): supported making college more accessible

10. Hillary Clinton (D-NY): sought Pentagon info, graciously withstood attack

11. Chuck Hagel (R-NB):  investigated pre-Iraq-war intelligence

12. John Tierney (D-MA): called for reform of veteran-care system

13. David Dreier (R-CA): called for reform of veteran-care system

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While you're here, check out a recent BN-Politics post:

Approval Ratings: What do the Numbers Mean?

Also, thanks to those who responded to our T13!  Check out their lists:

• Milan-zz of While Sleepwalking
• Comedy Plus
• Toni of Being an Air Force Wife
• Irreverent, Barefoot Ragamuffins
• Thomma Lyn of Tennessee Text Wrestling
• Lara of Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing
• Nicole Austin of Romance Author
• Joan of Daddy's Roses
• The Gal Herself of One Gal's Musings
• Janet of Fond of Snape

• Tea Mouse of TeaTime Ramblings
• Eric of Secondhand Thoughts
• Teena in Toronto
• Denise of Blissful Life of a SAHM and Military Wife
• Jennie of Unabridged Opinions
• Lyn of Bloggin' Outloud
• Ed of Ed's Thread
• Qtpies7 of Our 7 Qtpies
• Sue at My Life in the Urban Zoo
• JenniBoo at O So Mo Love

• Tommiea at Tuesday Update
• Malcolm at Pop Culture Dish
• Rae at Rae's Alley
• Gina at Not from the Peanut Gallery
• Linda at Markeroni and Raven's Roads
• Miss Profe at It's a Hardknock Teacher's Life
• Mark Caldwell at Too Many Ideas
• L-Squared at Dog's Eye View
• Kristi K. at Kristi's Place
• Robin at Around the Island

• Michelle B. at Random Ramblings
• Vixen at Vixen's Den
• Cheryl at Journey of Cross & Quill
• MissMeliss at Escribition
• Frances at The Meme Section
• Frigga at Many Apples
• JHS at Colloquium
• Twisted Cinderella at Ever After My Way
• Candy Minx at The Gnostic World of Candy Minx
• Haley-O at The Cheaty Monkey

• Jill at Live Your Life and Smile
• CJ Hill at My Year of Reading Seriously
• Jean Marie Ward at Ward Smith
• Robyn at Pistols, Passion & Potions
• Dawn at Colours of Dawn

Comments

[Milan-zzz]

OK not being American (and not living in States) I'm not familiar with all the names but I do like that ability to recognize good thing no matter which political option observer belongs. That is actually quite rare ability (here on Serbian political scene and among supporters that is not normal!).
Cheers!
My TT is up as well :)

[Comedy Plus]

I didn't know any of them did very much of anything except collect $$ for their re-elections. Good to know. Have a great TT. :)

[Toni]

Very interesting T13- thanks for sharing!

[Irreverent, Barefoot Ragamuffins]

Interesting list. I don't follow politics very closely.

Please visit my TT this week. Its 13 prizes (and more) that you can win in a contest that benefits a very special little boy named Parker.

Happy TT!

[Lara]

Glad to hear it's not ALL bad -- !!
Great TT and thanks for stopping by mine!
Lara

[Thomma Lyn]

Good to know politicos do *some* good things, LOL!

Happy TT, and thanks for visiting mine!

[Nicole Austin]

Interesting TT! It's nice to hear something positive about politics.

[Joan]

I like this approach! One of my frustrations with American politics is that almost EVERYBODY has their bias and cannot seem to even SEE any virtue in any opposing opinion.

[The Gal Herself]

This was a terrific list! I'm a Democrat, and many assume that means I can't appreciate John Warner, Orin Hatch or David Drier. Lots of politicians are doing wonderful things, behaving like statesmen/women. It's our job as citizens to stay informed. Thanks for putting this out there.

[Janet]

It's good to see that good things DO happen in BOTH parties :-)

[TeaMouse]

A nice way to look at the positives of both parties. I think there is good on both sides, but it can sometimes be hard to find unless you really pay attention to politics.

[Eric]

I like the list, especially the veteran issues! But one correction: Ted Kennedy is a democrat not a republican!

[Teena in Toronto]

I've only heard of Hilary.

Thanks for stopping by mine :)

[Denise]

good list. I didn't know all of those but I knew most of them. Way to educate people. :)

[Jennie]

What an interesting list! It's funny how things like this are not...emphasized as much as the negative.

[Lyn]

What? Politicians that do cool cool things? lol Lyn from Bloggin' Outloud

[Ed]

Thanks for reminding us that most politicians start with a passion for service. It seems that once they get power some turn to the dark side to retain it. It is always a pleasure to visit your blog.

Ed

[Qtpies7]

You are right, most of them do good things, too. Sometimes the good things are really not as good as they seem, but I'm sure they only see it from their own perspective.
Thanks for visiting my TT.

[Sue]

Well at least they did "one" good thing, that's more than most of them do! Kidding .. ;) Well kinda kidding .. :)

[JennieBoo]

I didn't know this stuff! Where did you find it?

Thanks for sharing.

Happy TT!

[The Crux]

JenniBoo: I do a lot of research on politics, so some of it was in my memory. Some I found by digging into voting records. Than God for the Internet.

[tommiea]

who knew some did good things??

thanks for visiting my TT

[Malcolm]

Thanks for posting this list. It's easy to forget about the good that some politicians do.

[Rae]

Thanks for the visit - you've got a good list here, most I only know through the Daily Show. I guess I need to stick my head out of my backyard a bit more often

[Gina]

Thanks for checking out my T13!

I only know of Hillary Clinton & Ted Kennedy. It's always good to know when politicians/ public officials deliver.

Informative list!