Issue 18 Restrain it Some More!! feb,23,2011

Part 2 of this series is here...it's the Texan inspired way to restrain the government. :)

Restrain it Some More!!

            So we want term limits, but did you know that there is another way to limit excessive spending, and lobbyist money corrupting our government.  The way to do it is to limit how often and at what times the United States Congress can meet.  I got this idea from Texas and its legislature which meets for up to 120 days every two years.  So I say lets limit Congress to meeting for 90 days once a year.  You’re thinking that ridiculous right.  Well in 2011 Congress only met for 155 days and still passed numerous legislation as Congress attempted to be a part time Congress under House Speaker John Boehner’s leadership.  The 90 period is thus more than adequate to pass all essential legislation, and limiting arbitrary legislation due to time constraints.  We must remember, thousands of pieces of legislation are introduced to Congress each day it is in session and even if Congress met every day of the year it does not mean that that piece of legislation will ever come to a vote and will then sit on the back burner while more important issues are addressed first.  This means much of the legislation that supports corporate welfare and spends American tax dollars arbitrarily may not come to vote as often.  It makes you wonder, how many pieces of good legislation were put off to support corruption which harms the economy, competition and increases our national debt.

            Other advantages to this idea are that it forces Congress to go home to its constituents.  This is obviously a good thing as it keeps the members of Congress from losing perspective on the needs of those they represent.  It also reduces the need for the excessive amount of Congressional staffers as they would be working mostly during the 90 day period leaving only basic personnel to man the more important offices.  

            The only possible problem is a state of emergency.  While treaties can wait until the next legislative session, a state of emergency cannot.  I say if we are attacked like on 9/11 the President can call forth Congress to vote on a military issue and aid the affected areas only.  But even then, I would think Congress would have already prepared a contingency plan and the President can already repel an enemy attack here at home thanks to the Constitution.  Natural disasters should be handled by National Guard troops, emergency service personnel and a reserve fund at the Presidents disposal to provide monetary support to the affected areas.  The only time I believe that the Congress can meet outside of the 90 period is if a State government makes a direct overture for aid from the Federal Government after that State has declared a state of emergency.  Congress would be limited to financial relief and the President can call forth the National Guard from other States to help out.  After voting, Congress will then retire until the next scheduled session or is called due to another emergency.  It may be prudent to limit how long Congress can meet due to a state of emergency as we do not want them voting beyond what is called for in that emergency situation.  I would limit them to 10 day sessions with a 2/3 majority vote to extend it by an additional 10 days, with them voting to extend it on the 10^th day exclusively to prevent them extending the 10 day period until the next legislative session.  Also, any law passed that did not relate to the state of emergency will be rendered null and void even if signed by the President thus preventing further abuse of the emergency session by Congress.

            This is just an idea.  It does not guarantee any form of success, but it may be worth a try as our government is consumed with people trying to justify the continuation of their life as an elected official.  Voting today is no guarantee of shoving out a bad politician as they bribe the electorate with pork barrel spending.  Term limits and limiting how long a Congressional session lasts is but two short term solutions which hinder the foolishness and the political horse trading that goes on in Washington.           

look foward to the next and final installment of this series :)