Janice Ayres: For presidential hopefuls, heat is on

There is a great deal of speculation going on relative to the Republican candidate who will eventually face President Barack Obama in 2012.

There are a lot of nasty barbs being traded back and forth among the candidates, who totally thumb their noses at Ronald Reagan's edict that "no Republican shall speak ill of another Republican." But these are different times, and I'm sure Reagan's political style is now considered passe by today's standards. I like Sen. John McCain's remarks about running for president when he said, "The swimming pool always looks very inviting; however, you never realize how cold it is until you jump in."

I wonder how dumb the candidates must think we are when they make statements to the effect that when they are elected president they are going to do such and such. Well, they aren't going to do diddly squat unless Congress says so. This is especially true if the president and the majority of Congress are of different parties. We have seen this repeatedly in the House, where Republicans have voted against every plan the president has put forth to get this nation on track. This of course is a deliberate tactic to lower the president's approval rating so that a Republican can more easily be elected. It's called political strategy, and all parties practice it.

However, this can be a double-edged sword, and I truly believe that it accounts for the 80 percent unfavorable rating Congress has now earned for itself. I can't say it enough times - Congress needs to put its political parties on hold and get to work on what needs to be done for Americans who are out of work and out of patience with all these shenanigans. Republicans need to stop picking on seniors to balance the deficit. Entitlements aren't welfare, for heaven's sake. Seniors have paid their dues. I suppose we should all send apologies for living so long and screwing up the budget.

Congress could take a lesson from how Northern Nevada has handled the tragedy at the Carson City IHOP and the National Air Races in Reno. When these terrible events occurred, everyone present pitched in to minister to the injured and give solace to families. No one cared about political affiliations, skin color or what religion a person practiced before choosing who to give aid to.

These actions defined who we are here in Nevada, and I am proud of all of you. Now if we can just get Congress to get with the program, we might get something really good accomplished. Well, I can dare to hope, can't I? Stay tuned.

• Janice Ayres is president of Nevada Senior Corps Association.