The problem with our Congress is that it is filled with people who are forced to act as if they know a lot about things of which they know next to nothing.
DB - The Vagabond
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Welcome aboard
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One of my other "wise guy" quotes which I may have posted somewhere is "Most of the authorities in the world aren't." Well, I'm no authority on the workings of the U.S. Congress, nor do I pretend to be. But I have made some observations over the years.
Congress people, especially if they've been there a long time, are primarily authorities on getting elected. Then they have to learn about Congressional politics, what the party that supported them expects of them, followed by bipartisanism and so forth. Then they are placed on committees through which legislation has to pass before reaching a final vote. Hopefully those committee assignments are logical, but not always. When Shirley Chisholm (D,NY) was first elected to Congress she was assigned to the House Agriculture Committee. She complained. She said that she represented an inner city district, didn't know anything about agriculture and the appointment was irrelevant to her constituency. She was reassigned.
So they sit on committees responsible for making decisions that affect major issues of out country. In order to do that they must learn as much as they can about those issues so they hold meetings and take testimony from "experts." If you have ever had the chance to observe some of those meetings you have seen the errant silliness that takes place on both sides of the desk. Not that much of the testimony isn't pertinent and authoritative, but some witnesses show up just to hear themselves talk, or to express a pointless opinion, or to throw spit balls or stumbling blocks in the way of progress. And some of the questioners on the committee are not seeking real facts but are merely indicating how much they think the other party is deluded or corrupt.
Then the Congresspeople on the committee have to sift through the net of fishes to find the valuable information and render a decision.
If the bill comes out of the committee and reaches the floor of whichever branch of Congress is to vote on it, the whole finger pointing, disputing and politicking starts all over again on a grand scale.
Pity the poor Congresspeople, it's not their fault. The are thrust by the voters into a job in which they are mainly and continuously ill prepared. Some of them are fools. Some are ordinary people who are bewildered by the morass of details and influences upon them. A few are honest, intelligent politicians who can grasp the realities and throw out the trash. Thank heaven for those.
DB
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Breathe deep the Autumn air.
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4 comments:
I keep thinking that some day somebody will "get it" A few do...too many don't. I miss the days when issues were discussed and the decission was based on what is best for the people of this country. Anne
Yes, it's a strange process, isn't it? I have to think that our political system is quite unique. Sometimes that's a good thing, but not always! Hugs, Beth
Seems the older I get the more cynical I become about finding a politician that I can trust. Why are all politicians so alike? Sure seems like it lately.
Until we get to the point that more than lawyers and career politicians get elected, it will not change. I have a desire to get involved in local politics some day, but not at the state or national level.
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