WASHINGTON WATCH: Yes, veterans, there is a Santa Claus

In my last column, I wrote about wishing that the Christmas spirit of Carson City would rub off on Congress so they could pull together and do some great things for America.

Well, you can imagine my astonishment to pick up my Nevada Appeal and see that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, and Sen. Dean Heller, a Republican, actually got together and sponsored a jobs bill that emphasizes and pushes for more job opportunities for veterans.

?This legislation is an example of what can get done when Congress engages in a real bipartisanship dialog. These joint efforts are long-overdue,? Heller said.

Reid noted that the jobs bill had been a priority of his for a long time and he was pleased to have Heller sign on. I just hope that this bipartisanship can continue and that Reid and Heller can set an example for the rest of Congress that good things can happen when people work together, rather than have the constant bickering that accomplishes nothing and which America is sick of.

A tip of the hat and kudos to the two senators, and let this not be just one shot at compromise or a re-election ploy, as suggested by Jon Ralston on ?Face to Face,? but an honest attempt at ?getting along,? which I truly wish to believe.

On a less happy subject, I see that the Republican-controlled House on Monday dropped its objections to a two-month extension of the Social Security payroll tax cut that President Obama called ?the only viable way? to prevent a drop in take-home pay for 160 million workers on Jan. 1.

The standoff had caused confusion in business as the clock ticked on the need to adapt to any new payroll tax measures.

In the meantime, stay vigilant, as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid still are on the chopping block come 2012 and don't let anyone tell you differently. Don't be caught napping.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas, and let's hope for the best in 2012. Stay tuned.

? Janice Ayres is president of Nevada Senior Corps Association.

Source: http://www.nevadaappeal.com/ARTICLE/20111227/NEWS/111229843/1029/RSS

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