Another election is behind us and a major one looms this fall. Most folks reading this will agree that according to Gallup, there is a 16 percent approval rating for the U.S. Congress. Americans have given our representatives failing grades for decades, but we keep sending them back.

Why? The two major parties have now become the puppet masters for decisions made versus the constituents back home. How so?

The last full-year’s records available are for 2014. Sen. Patty Murray voted with her party 97 percent of the time after winning 52 percent of the vote in the 2010 election. Hardly a landslide. Sen. Maria Cantwell voted with her party 98 percent of the time after winning re-election in 2012 with 60 percent of the vote. Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers voted with her party 95 percent after winning re-election in 2014 with 60 percent of the vote.

I suggest we give our representatives more family time by bringing them home at the next opportunity. We need quality alternatives to run for these positions who will promise to listen to the voters back home.

If you like a candidate, support them. We have to do our part to end congressional gridlock.

Dwayne Brecto

Spokane