This drives me crazy

[30A Skunkape]

We get whipped into a frenzy over religion in politics, abortion, how many houses a candidate owns, etc, yet most have no realistic idea just how impotent our government is when it comes to addressing issues that actually matter. :bang:

Congress left for its traditional August recess after accomplishing nothing. Of the 106 bills enacted since January, 94, or 89 percent were to name government buildings or lands, extend or make technical corrections to existing laws, or passed either by unanimous consent or with less than 10 dissenting votes. The accomplishments included “Frank Sinatra Day,” National Plumbing Industry Week,” and “National Day of the Cowboy.”

http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_porkerofthemonth&JServSessionIdr011=cixgkd4yx2.app20a

[BeachSiO2]

Only 1 of the 12 domestic spending bills have been passed to date and it is expected that there won't be much movement on on any others prior to the election. FYI, the US governments fiscal year starts on October 1 just like Walton County's. Could you imagine the BCC not passing a budget until months after the fiscal year has begun?

[Smiling JOe]

I guess I don't see it the same way. I wish they would do more of nothing, not passing bills ($$$$$). Bills may not have been passed, but bills $$$$ were passed. Congress spent more money than we have in the Federal coffers. If that is your idea of doing nothing, we are on different pages.

[Margarita]

I guess I don't see it the same way. I wish they would do more of nothing, not passing bills ($$$$$). Bills may not have been passed, but bills $$$$ were passed. Congress spent more money than we have in the Federal coffers. If that is your idea of doing nothing, we are on different pages.

This definitely drives me CRAZY - especially when you look at the billions of dollars of our tax money that they spend on the most riduclous things. Add to that the fact that a certain would be president wants to raise our taxes and it not only makes me crazy but almost insane :bang:

I agree with you SJ - Considering what Congress does when they do show up on the job, I prefer they do nothing.

[30A Skunkape]

I guess I don't see it the same way. I wish they would do more of nothing, not passing bills ($$$$$). Bills may not have been passed, but bills $$$$ were passed. Congress spent more money than we have in the Federal coffers. If that is your idea of doing nothing, we are on different pages.

I agree with your sentiments and feel that gridlock is generally a good thing, but with that said, we are facing a fiscal crash thanks to medicare/medicaid/social security and we need to figure out solutions now even if politically unpopular.

[BeachSiO2]

This brings up an interesting discussion because by not funding any of the appropriations bills then zero federal agencies will know their funding allocations for the coming year. Isn't this like throwing the baby out with the bathwater? How are we as citizens better off without the funding of at least some federal government agencies? I don't think that US Fish and Wildlife Service, EPA, NOAA, and a variety of environmental protection agencies would agree that no funding will benefit US citizens.

Before we get into earmarks and such, I want to point out that they accounted for less than 2% of the overall federal budget last year.

By the way, I was wrong, none of the appropriation bills have been passed.

[Smiling JOe]

skunky, I don't disagree that Congress should be working on finding GOOD solutions for all of the things you mention, but the reason for the current ef-ups with those items, isn't due to not passing bills. It is due to wild and crazy, unbridled unnecessary spending. Not all spending it bad, but much of what Congress spends, is unnecessary and wasteful, with little thought for the People. Once the pockets of Congress, and their friends, are lined with cash, they could care less about taking care of anything except getting more of the same.

Calling the funds in Social Security, a "surplus," is so wrong when Gov't knows that money was supposed to be paid out in the future. Hell, Social Security doesn't even keep up with the rate of inflation, so we lose money when we contribute to it. I'm not foolish enough to expect to receive SS.

Rather than Congress writing more Bills, how about getting them to remove the stupid laws currently on the books? www.dumblaws.com

[Smiling JOe]

bchsio2, I'm not referring only to earmarks. How about the money spent in the IRS, war on drugs, and the money spent on rebuilding countries which we blow up, and the act of blowing them up in the first place? Why not invest that money (oh that's right, it isn't even our money. We are borrowing it from the middle east and China!) on bettering our own country, and letting the People make up their own minds on how they would like to FREELY spend their earnings?

[seagrovegirl]

What is it going to take to get our government to work for us? We keep voting the goobers out, but they just fall into the same pattern.....

We need farmers, surfers, school teachers, firemen and other real people in our government, those who are really concerned about our economy and our future. It's okay to be wealthy and represent us, if the wealthy truly understood the struggles of everyday Americans.

I am sick of this, and I think most Americans are. Is it going to take a revolt to get some sense back into our government? We need a tea party! Or a boycott on paying taxes until the IRS is abolished..............Think about it....if everyone refused to pay federal taxes how would the gov. prosecute everyone in the US? Those goobers in the house would be brought to their knees.

[Margarita]

What is it going to take to get our government to work for us? We keep voting the goobers out, but they just fall into the same pattern.....

We need farmers, surfers, school teachers, firemen and other real people in our government, those who are really concerned about our economy and our future. It's okay to be wealthy and represent us, if the wealthy truly understood the struggles of everyday Americans.

I am sick of this, and I think most Americans are. Is it going to take a revolt to get some sense back into our government? We need a tea party! Or a boycott on paying taxes until the IRS is abolished..............Think about it....if everyone refused to pay federal taxes how would the gov. prosecute everyone in the US? Those goobers in the house would be brought to their knees.

I share your frustration. We have got to take a greater interest in our local and state races and hold those that we elect accountable IMO.

[BeachSiO2]

bchsio2, I'm not referring only to earmarks. How about the money spent in the IRS, war on drugs, and the money spent on rebuilding countries which we blow up, and the act of blowing them up in the first place? Why not invest that money (oh that's right, it isn't even our money. We are borrowing it from the middle east and China!) on bettering our own country, and letting the People make up their own minds on how they would like to FREELY spend their earnings?

I agree with all of the above, but these are the yearly appropriations bills, not supplemental bills or military or military construction. The military is funded through the non-discretionary side of the budget, which encompasses over two-thirds of the overall budget. While there should be a prioritizing of what programs should be involved in, not passing any discretionary appropriations bills is not the right idea either.

[Miss Kitty]

Welcome to my little world. I have been holding back a bit on all things political :biggrin:....it seems to me that everyone is too focused on the POTUS race and forgetting about the do-nothing Congress. It hurts my head. :bang:

[Mango]

I am sick of this, and I think most Americans are. Is it going to take a revolt to get some sense back into our government? We need a tea party!

Count me in, especially if it involves Thai chi and green tea.

[Smiling JOe]

Someone once said, "We get the government we deserve." I love tea parties, but i think most Americans prefer to drink beer while sitting on the sofa watching NASCAR and sports, on their days off. As long as people don't think for themselves, we will have these POS politicians. Why do you think we automatically deduct taxes from people's pay checks? So they won't have to question how much they are paying.

[kathydwells]

We get whipped into a frenzy over religion in politics, abortion, how many houses a candidate owns, etc, yet most have no realistic idea just how impotent our government is when it comes to addressing issues that actually matter. :bang:

Congress left for its traditional August recess after accomplishing nothing. Of the 106 bills enacted since January, 94, or 89 percent were to name government buildings or lands, extend or make technical corrections to existing laws, or passed either by unanimous consent or with less than 10 dissenting votes. The accomplishments included “Frank Sinatra Day,” National Plumbing Industry Week,” and “National Day of the Cowboy.”

http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_porkerofthemonth&JServSessionIdr011=cixgkd4yx2.app20a

This explains alot Skunky, they have other "things" on their minds. ;-):wave:

[Mango]

This explains alot Skunky, they have other "things" on their minds. ;-):wave:

:floor:

[full time]

I guess I don't see it the same way. I wish they would do more of nothing, not passing bills ($$$$$). Bills may not have been passed, but bills $$$$ were passed. Congress spent more money than we have in the Federal coffers. If that is your idea of doing nothing, we are on different pages.

It's not organized crime we have to fear, it's organized government.

[6thGen]

Too many beat me to it, but I'll agree that we need more bridges named, we need further investigations on steroids in baseball, and we need more discussion on violence in video games. That will ensure they are too busy to pass windfall taxes or another Sarbanes-Oxley.

[Tootsie]

read the article skunky attached. it is very biased/lop sided, of course. and doesn't take into consideration many many many things about this congress and what it has had to friggin deal with.

not saying our govt or congress is doing all that great, but personally they need to just hold tight (stop work) until we have a qualified leader in the white house.

people like to say this Democratic congress has done nothing. its funn to say, I guess. but do you really know? there are many sources you can check if you have an interest in the agenda of democrats in congress and what has happened in the last few years. you can choose which slant you like best, of course. here is mine...:wave:

speaker nancy pelosi...
The 110th Congress is making progress for the American people on the toughest challenges we face—working together to defend our country, restore accountability, grow our economy, strengthen our families, and preserve our planet.

Since January, more than 177 key measures have passed the House, with nearly 70 percent receiving significant bipartisan support. In critical instances, the President and his Republican allies in Congress have stubbornly stood in the way of progress with 11 vetoes and 54 vetoes threatened.

The New Direction Congress is working to change course in Iraq. This war, now into its fifth year, has not made America safer, even as our troops have bravely performed their duties. This Congress continues to demand that President Bush and the Administration be held accountable, that the Iraqi government take responsibility for its own country, and that we responsibly bring this war to an end. The New Direction Congress is protecting America—acting to finally make the work of the independent 9/11 Commission the law of the land. We are rebuilding our military readiness and requiring that we re-engage our diplomatic allies. We are honoring our troops and veterans with pay, services, and care they deserve. We are declaring our energy independence and working to reverse global warming.

The New Direction Congress is providing the keys to the American dream—investing in American ingenuity and innovation. We are working to bring quality health care to every American child, and every child to school ready to learn. We are making America’s rural heartland a key to America’s future economic and energy security. We have changed the way we do business in Washington by restoring fiscal responsibility, government transparency, and the highest ethical standards to Congress.

These are the first of many steps in a New Direction for a stronger and more secure America. Learn more about the legislation of the 110th Congress: (http://www.speaker.gov/legislation)
if you want to know about the above quote, in any detail, don't hesitate to read about it and do your own research on any of these issues.

the way I see it - if pelosi wants to go on vacation to promote her new book and simultaneously avoid a vote on offshore drilling. well, she's smarter than ever.

save it for obama's administration and leadership please.

[30A Skunkape]

read the article skunky attached. it is very biased/lop sided, of course. and doesn't take into consideration many many many things about this congress and what it has had to friggin deal with.

not saying our govt or congress is doing all that great, but personally they need to just hold tight (stop work) until we have a qualified leader in the white house.

people like to say this Democratic congress has done nothing. its funn to say, I guess. but do you really know? there are many sources you can check if you have an interest in the agenda of democrats in congress and what has happened in the last few years. you can choose which slant you like best, of course. here is mine...:wave:

:blink:Toots, CAGW is not biased. Nancy Pelosi is. My definition of 'doing something' is derailing impending budget disaster. Pelosi's leadership leaves much to be desired. Effective leaders can accomplish tasks working with the opposition-Reagan did it, why can't Pelosi? I think it speaks volumes that she put out a book a few weeks ago, made the inevitable tour of the talk shows hawking it yet it isn't selling and it is already in the bargain bin. She is not an inspirational nor effective leader.

[Miss Kitty]

:eek:...should the entire gov't just shut down? I know about lame duck and all, but that is just scary talk! Can we impeach Congress? :idontno:

disclaimer...this ain't no bash on the democratic congress, i could point fingers all day long.

[Tootsie]

:blink:Toots, CAGW is not biased. Nancy Pelosi is. My definition of 'doing something' is derailing impending budget disaster. Pelosi's leadership leaves much to be desired. Effective leaders can accomplish tasks working with the opposition-Reagan did it, why can't Pelosi? I think it speaks volumes that she put out a book a few weeks ago, made the inevitable tour of the talk shows hawking it yet it isn't selling and it is already in the bargain bin. She is not an inspirational nor effective leader.

actually, I think the article is very oversimplified and does nothing to inform. however, I cannot sit here and defend Pelosi either. I cannot truly say if she is effective at all or not. reagan did it - he was the president for chrissake - he should have done it. Bush has failed miserably of course at any attempt to lead or work with opposition. really, its a really big pile of sheeit they have all had to step into. I hope it gets better after the election. and not worse.

[BeachSiO2]

:eek:...should the entire gov't just shut down? I know about lame duck and all, but that is just scary talk! Can we impeach Congress? :idontno:

It won't shut down. They will pass Continuing Resolutions until they can agree on something. That "something" will likely be an omnibus bill where most of the appropriations bills that have to be passed (per our constitution) will be rolled into one. When this happens, the ornaments come out and the Christmas Tree is decorated to the detriment to almost everyone.

[Tootsie]

:eek:...should the entire gov't just shut down? I know about lame duck and all, but that is just scary talk! Can we impeach Congress? :idontno:

disclaimer...this ain't no bash on the democratic congress, i could point fingers all day long.

lame duck is putting it mildly

[Miss Kitty]

actually, I think the article is very oversimplified and does nothing to inform. however, I cannot sit here and defend Pelosi either. I cannot truly say if she is effective at all or not. reagan did it - he was the president for chrissake - he should have done it. Bush has failed miserably of course at any attempt to lead or work with opposition. really, its a really big pile of sheeit they have all had to step into. I hope it gets better after the election. and not worse.

It won't shut down. They will pass Continuing Resolutions until they can agree on something. That "something" will likely be an omnibus bill where most of the appropriations bills that have to be passed (per our constitution) will be rolled into one. When this happens, the ornaments come out and the Christmas Tree is decorated to the detriment to almost everyone.

lame duck is putting it mildly

:banging: quack quack quack. Look, there is a duck in that bush! :biggrin:

OMG....that was a crazy quote outcome for me!!!! Remind you of something?

[ronfrazer]

Here's a list of active legislation (http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/b_three_sections_with_teasers/active_leg_page.htm) in the House and Senate. There are one or two [;-)] that are probably more important than "Frank Sinatra Day" but unfortunately will probably take more debate than honoring ol' Blue Eyes.