Reducing deficit requires skill, risk from politicians — Lee Hamilton

Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

As a member of Congress, you get used to being graded. Interest groups send you questionnaires, check your voting record, and then issue their report cards. Editorial writers opine freely on your performance. Pollsters issue monthly updates on how Congress is faring with the public.

Members of Congress learn to expect this judgment and criticism. Its part of being an elected official in this country and should be.

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