House of Representatives to Spend More Time Campaigning Than Working (ContributorNetwork)
COMMENTARY | The House of Representatives is scheduled to be in session for only 109 days in 2012, according to CBS News. The House will be in recess for 151 days in order to allow candidates time for campaigning. Really? My initial reaction to this announcement was to write an article expressing my outrage that our leaders are opting to work so little when our country is facing so many challenges. After all, shouldn't our Representatives be working double-time to address the myriad of economic, social and global problems on our collective plate?
Pick an issue...any issue and do something. Perhaps begin with an earnest debate of the jobs bill resulting in the enactment of even one measure to address unemployment.
Upon reflection, perhaps it is not the lack of work days the House has scheduled that has me frosted. It may, instead, be our leaders' lack of effectiveness when they actually do show up for work. The polarized politicians in Washington seem so concerned with posturing that our government is experiencing a complete pre-election paralysis.
At a time when every minute counts and we should be circling the wagons, our proverbial horses have gone lame. A clear example is the so-called "super-committee" charged with creating a 10-year plan to cut $1.2 trillion from the U.S. deficit, says CNN.
Not surprisingly, the committee appears to be grid-locked. Democrats on the panel proposed a plan to cut $3.2 trillion from the budget by cutting entitlement programs and raising $1.3 trillion in new tax revenues. John Boehner (R), has staunchly insisted Republicans would never sign any measure that would raise taxes, however, it seems that there may be a bit of compromise on this point as this article is written.
The Republican proposal would cut $2.2 trillion through cuts to entitlements and revised tax codes. Democrats refuse the plan because it fails to increase revenue. The committee has until Nov. 23 to produce a 10-year deficit reduction plan. If no agreement is reached, a sort of default plan goes into effect that will automatically cut $1.2 trillion across the budget, including billions in cuts to U.S. defense and Medicare.
Tough choices about the deficit and so many other matters of government will not be effectively addressed until leaders get serious about compromise and prioritize the work of government over political image and campaigning. Both sides of the aisle will need to work together to develop and implement innovative solutions.
Voters might actually be more impressed by candidates who spend time working productively with others to effect change than with those stomping the campaign trail.
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