Seeing Senator Jones

It is easy to get caught up in the political polarization that is so much talked about in our country. You would think that the Congress is totally consumed by it. The polarization is real, but listening to Senator Jones last week reminded me that in his Senate Democrats and Republicans often work together for the good of their constituents.
The Senator makes it clear that Senator McConnell runs the Senate. Nothing comes to the floor of the Senate unless McConnell allows it. McConnell is dictator of the Senate much like Lyndon Johnson was in the 50's.
Senator Jones does not attack Republicans like Republicans attack Democrats with their hate-filled rhetoric toward Democrats. So with McConnell, but he does refer to the Senator from Kentucky without any affection.  :)
He did mention working with Susan Collins and Ted Cruz on some issues. This is the good and decent man that Senator Jones is as he does SO MANY things for the good of Alabama and the country. He talks about how he and Sen. Shelby are friends and how they often sit together on the floor of the Senate to discuss issues. (Although I chuckled when he revealed that he tried to get Shelby to join him in a resolution saluting the Auburn basketball team last spring, but Shelby refused to do so, big Bammer that he is).
This is the flavor of what he means when he talks about seeking common ground. Big issues, polarization, but on many issues, common ground can be found for the benefit of all Americans.
Sen. Jones has done things for Forts Rucker and Maxwell. Democrats can be pro-military. The Senator makes mention of two death benefits for the spouses of veterans. Somehow the law was changed so that spouses can receive one or the other, but not both, but he is a co-sponsor of a bill to let them receive both again. He is a hunter though in this appearance he did not get into the 2nd Amendment. He decries Alabama's failure to expand Medicaid---unforgivable and it's costing the state millions. 
In the context of today's rhetoric of progressive vs. moderate Democrats, which is oversimplified of course, Sen. Jones along with Biden is in the moderate category. 
His motto is "let's get things done." He has certainly done so for Alabama and continues to do so.
He tells us Democrats that he sits in the same desk on the Senate floor once occupied by John Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, and Ed Muskie. Oh, my!