The midterm elections left the nation with a divided Congress. So what happens next -- gridlock or real progress? Yahoo! Contributors told us what questions they'd ask their local politicians any why. Below are their questions followed by their reasons for asking them.
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What questions would I have for local politicians if I had the chance to chat with them? I have interviewed Rep. Aaron Shock and hopefully will have another chance. Obama and the Democrats have seen a lot of changes in the past couple months. Previously, they had taken advantage of an overwhelming majority to push through some questionable legislation.
Now that political power is more balanced, what's next? Though young, Shock knows his politics.
Representative Shock, what is the outlook for Social Security considering all of the news about the Deficit Commission wanting to make drastic changes?
The Deficit Commission wants to make changes in Social Security. It is scary to older voters like me to think that the Deficit Commission is so aggressive with respect to retirement funds. Consider the fact that they are covering ridiculous payouts to keep people employed with the present and future funds of those who have already paid into society. What should we expect? Will the change in power protect us?
Why are the roads in Illinois so bad and what can be done about them? It seems they are always being worked on yet they are terrible.
I need no reference with respect to our roads. Month after month and year after year, they remain terrible. Potholes ruin tires and in snowy and rainy weather can cause major accidents. Why is there always work going on ruining traffic and yet the roads are in such terrible shape?
My greatest question is what is the future in the next two years? We have problems with Russia and China and the Middle East. The country is torn on many issues and in a terrible economic slump. Can the current Government do the job?
I do not trust the Democrats led by Obama. I don't like the way they have governed the last two years. Will they work with the reformed government? How vulnerable is our country right now?
My overall questioning to Congressman Shock would be the movement of government. Will it be too much of a push? Will it be a stalemate that ends up in a impotent group of politicians? And of course I worry about our retirement.