Don't Get Me Started

Children in Congress

Don't Get Me Started   By ANDY HEFTY

GLEN SAINT MARY, FL -- Let’s apply this movie quote to today’s Congress:

I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress! And by God, I have had this Congress! For ten years, King George and his Parliament have gulled, cullied, and diddled these colonies with their illegal taxes! Stamp Acts, Townshend Acts, Sugar Acts, Tea Acts! And when we dared stand up like men, they have stopped our trade, seized our ships, blockaded our ports, burned our towns, and spilled our BLOOD! And still, this Congress refuses to grant ANY of my proposals on independence, even so much as the courtesy of open debate! Good God, what in hell are you waiting for?

-- John Adams, in the movie 1776, portrayed by actor William Daniels

It’s not too difficult, really. All you have to do is substitute the various "acts" with any number of modern-day taxations or regulations. Couple that with the stagnating inaction on important matters while Congress holds hearings on steroid usage in sports and hosting American Idol style campaigns for re-election or the White House.

Congress allowed the Federal Intelligence Services Act (FISA) to expire. Now, we are back to pre-Vietnam statutes that dictate how we use our various intelligence systems to gain the upper hand on terrorists. What’s the sticking point? Mainly, Democrats in Congress don’t want to let the communications companies off the hook for assisting officials in hunting down terrorists. It seems that to be a Democrat, you have to believe there is someone out there somewhere looking to spread lies and rumors about whether you brush your teeth with the right hand or left instead of hunting down Bin Laden’s goons.

First of all, despite the fact that our government is bloated beyond compare, we don’t have enough people in power to spy on our everyday dealings. If a domestic crime is discovered while using FISA, the courts won’t allow it to go to trial. But Democrats and a few Republicans would rather allow private citizens to sue the wires off of the telephone companies instead of assisting intelligence agencies in protecting them.

The clock continues to tick, and Congress is more worried about useless campaign resolutions.

I have been verbally struggling with friends and (political) foes over the issue of pork-barrel spending for decades. Some say it’s a good thing. I wholeheartedly disagree. When a congressman dictates specifically where and how much money should be spent -- in his district, of course -- he binds the particular branch of government involved into conducting their business in a manner that may actually do more harm than good. Thus, if a department would have rather spent the money elsewhere, they would either have to "re-allocate" the money or simply "pad" the budget.

Neither is good.

It’s high time Congress becomes ashamed over their spending habits instead of campaigning on them. These clowns help Egypt secure its borders but refuse to stop the gushing invasion of illegal immigrants here at home.

When it comes to funding our current military efforts overseas, politicians get quite testy. On one hand, someone like Corrine Brown of Jacksonville will disparage the troops, demand they be brought home right away, vote to de-fund the war, and then blame President Bush when the claims of equipment shortfalls or low morale begin to fly. And when we point out the hypocrisy in this (which these thin-skinned professionals consider questioning their patriotism), we are suddenly supposed to pipe down? Not today.

Congress has the unmitigated audacity to demand that Wall Street moneymakers keep their financial dealings on the level but have yet to submit their own budget. And they’re more than half way through the federal fiscal year already. You would think that our esteemed members of our top lawmaking body would straighten out its own affairs before ordering someone else about.

Did you catch the latest berating of the energy executives? Don’t worry. You didn’t miss much. As I’ve written before, Congress increases the taxation and regulation of a vital industry before, during, and after demanding to know why prices for electricity, gas, and other energy products and services are so high.

They want inexpensive, alternative energy. But when a clean refinery is proposed, Congress shoots it down. When a proposal for increasing nuclear energy is brought forth, it’s dead on arrival. And don’t even think of bringing in new technologies for coal.

Now, that takes a lot of brass.

But this foolishness can be stopped. It starts with you and me. Demand action on real issues from your congressman and senators. Call and write as often as necessary and let them know that their jobs are on the line. And if they refuse, we must vote them out. No bluffing. Find a candidate who will stand for what’s right and step down when he has gotten too comfortable.

Ander Crenshaw, are you reading this? All I am waiting for is the next John Adams to step up and declare the "august" body in complete contempt of the United States, its citizens, its Constitution, and the laws of common sense and decency. Or at least let’s invite Tony Boselli to turn over a few buffet tables to get their attention.

Cue the chirping crickets.

Fade out.

Andy is a father of 13 children who lives with his wife of over 23 years in Baker County, Florida. His opinions usually center around mixing politics and religion with hot-button topics as his specialty. You can contact him at ACHefty@yahoo.com.