Memo to an unpopular Congress

According to the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, 16 percent of Americans give Congress a positive job rating.

That means 84 percent are somewhere between congressionally disturbed and officially disgusted. We find ourselves closer to the latter than the former.

So what do we do about it, America? Rep. Raul Labrador, in a recent statement, said confronting the debt crisis and reforming the tax structure are two big steps in the right direction. We agree with the congressman. But we want to ensure he and the others on Capitol Hill hear what we hear every single day from the ranks of the 84 percent.

Work together. Unseemly as it might feel, members of Congress and the president need to stop throwing political bricks at each others' heads. Why? Because their aim is pathetic. The damn bricks always end up hitting John Quincy Citizen instead.

Work together. Put your all-important drives for re-election in neutral long enough to do the people's business. This will require softening political rhetoric and removing the demonic images from your portrayal of members of the other party. More importantly, it will shift your focus away from a select few contributors and influential lobbyists to the people you were elected to serve.

Work together. We're convinced most Americans would shelve their party pride if their elected leaders would actually lead by example. Most Americans want a stronger, smarter, healthier and richer nation more than they want to see their party win elections or the other guys lose theirs. Show the people how with integrity, respect and a lot of hard work. Make all Americans winners.

In fairness, this grand new approach would not be starting from scratch. Despite global knee-wobbling, America's economy is headed in the right direction, with forecasts of increased strength this year. We can all blame President Obama and Congress for many things, but we should also give credit where it's due.

If the dysfunction that has marked the past few years of congressional and presidential relations has not completely throttled economic progress in this great land, just think what's possible if their attention is laser-focused on solving the nation's problems together.

Work together and you get more than a mightier America. You also will see those approval ratings change places.