Editorial

I would never use the term "lame duck" to describe Representative Brian Baird.
In the 16 years he has served this area and this district in Congress Baird has done so much to get federal agencies to pay attention to local concerns and so much to get the Washington establishment to pay attention to constituent concerns that the words "duck" and "lame" don't apply.
However, that term is used to describe an elected official who is nearing the end of his term and apparently has limited effectiveness, and he is starting to resemble parts of that description.
For instance, he spoke with Cathlamet Mayor George Wehrfritz about funding for Cathlamet's new waste water treatment plant. Baird said if he could channel money into federal programs for that work, it would be in the 2011 budget. So, one can see that he might be able to get the process started, but it would be up to his successor to make sure the appropriation succeeds.
Later, he spoke with the county board of commissioners. They want to purchase timberland to provide revenue for county government, and Commissioner Blair Brady suggested that the federal government could set up a loan fund for counties to finance this kind of program.
The congressman liked the idea. Counties like Wahkiakum could support themselves through a sustainable harvest on forests managed for conservation, recreation and revenue. One of the first things needed, he said, is a business plan to show the benefits to the congressmen who would work on the legislation. That would take time, and the legislation probably wouldn't be ready to introduce until next year.

One thing Baird can do in his remaining months in offices is speak out, and he did that in his Cathlamet visit. "Do the math," was his theme.
The people of the country need to realize that they are responsible for taking care of the growing budget deficit and national debt. It will take a three part effort to address the problem: 1. The nation's economy needs to grow with help from government; 2. Expenses need to be cut; this means military, entitlement and service programs. 3. Revenue needs to be enhanced; this means tax increase.
None of this is popular across the board, but it needs to be done.
I hope Baird's successor will be up to the job.