Throw the Bastards Out
Apparently I have a full head of steam on today.Congress is making me want to throw things. Actually, it is mostly the Democrats who are vexing me at the moment. First there is the kerfuffle over the judges, filibusters, and straight up or down votes. Now there is this newest brouhaha over the Ethics Committee. They haven't yet met because the Democrats of the group have decided to take their football and go home. Petulant as a bunch of 6-year-olds refused a box of cookies, they have not been attending the meetings, effectively shutting down operations.
Why are their panties in a bunch? Well, mostly sour grapes. The Republicans now control both houses of Congress, and in typical "to the victor go the spoils" operating procedure, the Republicans changed some rules for the House Ethics Committee. It isn't clear whether the Dems dislike the new rules, or are just being pissy on principle. But, I suspect they are being pissy on principle.
Why? Well, because Republican members of the Committee promised to initiate an investigation into alleged ethics violations by House Majority Leader and Republican Tom DeLay. You would think that this group of namby-pamby bitchers and moaners would wet their panties to sling mud at a top Republican in an official forum. But no. They rejected the offer out of hand. Not interested. Why do you think that is? Hmmm? Is it possible that there are a few Democrats whom the spotlight of the Ethics Committee also must needs be trained upon? I wonder.
You can find more info here, by the way.
My issue is this: These individuals serve at the pleasure of their electorates. In the meantime, they are not accountable for their actions, depending on how irresponsible and reprehensible they want to be. Not the way you and I are anyway. What I mean is...they have been elected. Nothing can really be done to them until they come up for reelection. You and I have to live with our decisions on a daily basis...they just have to make the 9 months ahead of the reelection campaign look good.
I feel that if you can't make it to votes, if you boycott or fail to attend committee meetings...you should have to give up part of your salary for every instance. Maybe we could get some work done if that was the case. I'm not unreasonable. I am even willing to give them 2 personal days off in every session free of charge. I just think there should be consequences for those that stand in the way, like there are for those of us in the private sector.
Because it is at least two years 'til we can throw the bastards out.
