[Vision2020] Do-Nothing Congress

[Tom Hansen]

>From Bob Schieffer's commentary on today's (June 25, 2006) "Face the Nation"

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Do-Nothing Congress
By Bob Schieffer

Before long, Congress will be leaving on its Summer Vacation. My question
is, how will we know they are gone? 

It's been so long since Congress did anything I have to stop and think to
remember what it is they are supposed to do. 

Oh I remember now, improve the lives of the people who elected them. Can't
think of another reason, can you? 

Don't misunderstand me. Congress does stay busy. The debate on the
constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage took a lot of time. Of course,
all sides knew there was no chance it would pass. Did the debate improve
your life? 

The debate on immigration policy took up more time, but the House and Senate
never came close to consensus so they have basically thrown in the towel and
decided to hold hearings around the country. Maybe they could appoint a Blue
Ribbon Commission and waste even more time. 

This week begins perhaps the greatest time waster of all: yet another debate
on a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning, which has as much chance
of passing as I have of pitching in the World Series. 

Nevertheless, both sides love it because it's an excuse to raise campaign
contributions. The Conservatives can appeal for money to help them protect
Old Glory, the Libs to protect free speech. 

But even those in Congress expect nothing to happen. "it's an election
year," one Senator told a friend, "nothing is going to fly this year, but we
all have to do a lot of flapping." 

Funny, except it's our time and money they're wasting.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Uh, how about a 1-strike law. Death doesn't seem too extreme for a Level-3
sex offender."

- Dale "Comb-Over" Courtney (August 3, 2005)