It is always nice when a major Montana newspaper and The Western Word agree on an issue. Yesterday, I commented about the “Spineless Leadership” in Washington from the Democrats regarding the energy issue.

Today, the Missoulian’s Editorial Board agreed with many of my points in their opinion called, “Politicians, call off those vacations”

In my comments, I wrote, “This is certainly not the time to take a vacation.”

The Missoulian agrees, “Now is not the time for our congressional leaders to be taking a vacation.”

I wrote, “Max Baucus and Jon Tester need to also get on a plane and get back to Washington to solve this problem.”

The Missoulian Editorial Board writes, “In fact, we highly suggest the nation’s senators – including Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester – get back to Washington, too.”

The Democrats, lead by Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid, allowed the House and Senate to take 38 days off. 38 days is a long vacation. Recently a friend of my family took vacation before heading to Iraq with the Marines. He received 15 days off before heading off to war. He gets 30 days vacation per year. Maybe Congress should only take 30 days off per year, too, with weekends and holidays included.

So take the suggestion Max and Jon. It’s coming from a newspaper that bends over backwards to give you good press coverage. Just because gas prices have fallen a few cents does not mean this problem is over. You can reschedule your barbecue.

The Missoulian Editorial team also mentions the fact that the House members back in Washington would normally use this August vacation to campaign since they are all up for re-election in November. People like Denny Rehberg have placed campaigning on the back burner to put the energy issue in the spotlight. I commend him and others who are doing this. Will Max Baucus do the same? Will Jon Tester stop jet-setting around the country to campaign for Democrats long enough to find a real energy solution? I highly doubt it because Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are their bosses and Max and Jon follow them like sheep.