Health & Fitness
Congress Desperately Needs Reform
United States Congress is a complete mess. The lastest round of "Deal or No Deal" is playing out now as congressional members try to break for the holiday.
While there may be differing opinions as to "how" to fix it, I think everyone will agree that the United States Congress is a disaster and "needs" to be fixed. Even Mother Nature couldn't create this sort of mess.
The Republicans and Democrats are in the middle of another "pissing contest" in the House and Senate. This time over payroll tax breaks and extending unemployment benefits.
The Senate voted on Saturday to pass a temporary two-month extension, they did so by attaching another item in the bill--an item that has NOTHING to do with payroll taxes or unemployment benefits.
Find out what's happening in Santeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Senate approval REQUIRES President Obama to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline within 60 days unless he declares the project would not serve the national interest.
While the House is scheduled to vote on the bill Monday, House Speaker John Boehner made it clear today that there is NO CHANCE that the bill will be passed in the House.
Find out what's happening in Santeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This is ridiculous. First off, how can you run any business, let alone a country, by making two month financial arrangements? How can you expect states and more importantly businesses within those states to operate with such uncertainty?
More importantly, the single biggest issue that needs to be fixed in Congress is this whole idea of attaching one issue with another in order to slide it through. This is nothing more than legalized blackmail!
Not that requiring items to be on individuals will solve the problem. Congressional members still will hold bills hostage by stating "I won't vote for your bill unless you vote for mine".
Ultimately, the change that needs to be made is the removal of the two party system within Congress. I think EVERYONE..no matter what side of the table you sit on is tired of all the "pissing contests" and 11th hour deals. Seriously, would ANY member of Congress be successful as a CEO in a company with the way they operate? They essentially are CEO's of OUR company--The United States of America! They are FAILING us and CHANGE needs to be made.
