Monday, July 29, 2013

U.S. Congress Hard(ly) At Work

In a few days the U.S. Congress will be going into recess. Except for two sessions in the 'House of Representatives' on Thursday, August 1st and Friday, August 2nd both the senate and house are taking off the entire month of August. When they return on September 9th they will be facing a grueling 9 day schedule for the entire month of September.

When congress returns it will be facing the deadline for funding the United States. Failure to pass legislation will result in shutting down the government. Congress also has to enact legislation that would raise the budget caps both due by October 1st. This leaves them only 12 sessions between today Monday, July 29th and October 1st to figure things out.

Getting this work done isn't looking to too promising. According to an article Sarah Jones wrote for 'Politicus USA' on July 2nd congress only managed to pass 15 actual bills up until that time. It's no wonder. This bunch only scheduled themselves to get together only 4 months this year for a total of 126 sessions.

It isn't like congress was lazy as some accuse. They managed to vote 40 times against 'National Healthcare" despite knowing it was DOA in the Senate. Even if they could get it past the Senate there's no way in Hell the President would sign it. According to 'Govtrack', "Around 10,000 bills and resolutions are considered by the U.S. Congress in each two-year session, but of those only about 4% will become law." You know important things like..S.Res. 201: A resolution designating the first Wednesday in September 2013 as “National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day”.

S.Res. 35: A resolution congratulating the Baltimore Ravens for winning Super Bowl XLVII.

S.Res. 183: A resolution commemorating the relaunching of the 172-year-old Charles W. Morgan by Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea

H.Res. 107: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 890) to prohibit waivers relating to compliance with the work requirements for the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes

H.Res. 4: Authorizing the Clerk to inform the President of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk

H.R. 1411: California Coastal National Monument Expansion Act of 2013

* SOURCE
Point is, I have no problem with congress not passing another bunch of laws that most likely would only mucky things up anyway. What I do have a problem with is their callous disregard with the things that need to be done. Things like screwing around with the U.S. budget till the last minute before there's a government shutdown. Playing politics (with Obama) by forcing sequester to continue into 2014 . A move that according to the CBO could cost us up to 1.6 million jobs.

I have rather a simple theory. More governments have collapsed throughout history from within then by outside enemies. One of the most effective ways to defeat one's enemy isn't through the use of military force but rather by collapsing its economy. The United States tries to employ this method all the time through the use of embargos on other nations.

It's all fine and dandy to try and defeat the other political party in this manner, but when does it cross the line and we end up jeopardizing our nation's own well being?


Whoever is President represents not only their political party affiliation but also the American people. When congress ends up hamstringing the President, does it not also take down the American people who elected that person right along with him?

Many may see congress as nothing more the bunch of politicians blowing hot air. Not I. I view this current batch of legislators far more the that. They are playing games that could end up threatening the continued existence of the United States more then those who dare war against us.

The Daily Show - A$$holes Wanted for Congress 07/25/13


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