Sunday, February 18, 2024

Yea and nay

 The Congress is in continual debate. That is, after all, what their function is, to debate a topic, a subject, an action or proposed action and decide upon a course of action. So, what is the problem? Why doesn't that seem to happen in a timely or orderly fashion? The problem lies in the proposed bills put before congress. Each bill actually contains many different and often unrelated proposals. Instead of presenting a single topic, a single line item to be discussed and debated the waters are muddied with unrelated topics. Take the one facing congress right now. What does aid to Ukraine have to do with securing our own border? Separate issues entirely in my mind. But one is dependent upon the other. The Democrats are accusing the republicans of withholding funding for Ukraine. The Republicans are saying the Democrats are failing to secure the border. There shouldn't be a barter between the two parties! That isn't how the system is supposed to work!
 I think we should pass an amendment to the constitution that forbids all of that. Each item presented to Congress should be a single line item, period. No more of this deal making. I'll give you this if you give me that. That needs to end! The decision is supposed to be what is best for the country, our country, the United States of America. That is what those representatives were elected to do, represent the American people. And this should be obvious to anyone paying the least amount of attention to what is going on. When an elected official makes a statement like, "we need to pass the bill to know what is in the bill" that should be a gigantic red flag! Why should a bill be passed without everyone involved knowing the full context of that bill. I understand all the inclusions and exclusions in the contract with my bank before buying the car! I don't buy the car and then read the contract. I also don't include that contract with my vacation plans, home remolding plan and what I'm going to give to charity. Each item is separate. 
 It's something I encounter on social media all the time this "bundling" of ideas and concepts. I may mention one thing and the argument I get back is totally unrelated to that topic. I get frustrated with that really quickly. I expect many of our representatives in congress feel the same way. The price of gasoline is rising and the response I get might be, Denmark has more electric vehicles than we do. And your point? A socialist country provides free healthcare. yeah, and we are a Republic, what's your point? These bills presented to congress often contain multiple items. There are currently 12,959 bills before Congress! About 907 will become law. If you divided those bills into single line items that number would be significantly larger. I just wonder how so many bills make it out of committee in the first place. 
 Congress is in session about 147 days each year. Yeah, they debate, review, discuss and decide on those bills 147 days a year. That would be like you or I going to work two days a week and maybe a little bit on a third day. But that is when legislation get passed. Of course, the politicians themselves will tell you how hard and long they work and all the sacrifices they make. They work practically 24/7! Couldn't prove that by me, is my response. Didn't you campaign to get that job? You didn't just apply, you actively sought out the job! In my way of thinking you should be at work every day same as the average American taxpayer. That's 238 days on average. That's the minimum as far as I'm concerned. No bill should make it out of committee that includes more than one line item! You get one request at a time. Bills will be decided one item at a time. Today we decide on the border, tomorrow we decide on Ukraine, and Friday we decide if we need to conduct gender studies. One has nothing to do with the other. All in favor say Yea, those that oppose say nay. That's how that works. 

 

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