Chaos in Congress

The below is a commentary on recent events in Congress. It is not a judgement of right, left - or wrong; simply my thoughts around what the new year has sprung on us from DC.

Congress started the new year with what hopefully is not a harbinger of things to come. After 4 days and 15 rounds of voting, Kevin McCarthy was finally elected Speaker of the House on January 6th, but only after giving in to all the demands of a handful of extreme right-wing Representatives that gives that caucus outsize power over the Republican party and the entire House. Now the party famous for creating gridlock will have to deal with its own internal obstruction. While the Democrats play the foil in the Senate.

It takes a lot to make the Democrats look good, but the divided Republican party has done it in splendidly comical fashion. The schisms in that party and the gyrations from both sides of the aisle added to the circus atmosphere of the first week of the new year. Unfortunately, this was likely only the first installment of the absurdity that is now the United States Congress.

I can’t fathom how the party that puffed its chest that taking the House was a mandate for their platform can govern when they don’t really have a platform or even a plan – other than investigating those who investigated their former leader. Obstruction and fear mongering is their tried-and-true playbook – both of those when a Democrat is in the Whitehouse, and only the latter when they own that space.

On top of the voting catastrophe, there is the election of George Santos who made up his entire life story yet is sitting in the House having finally been sworn in. The fact that he was allowed to take his place after committing such blatant fraud is beyond amazing. The fact that a local newspaper broke the story at least a month before the election yet it was not picked up by even his opponent raises serious questions about the competence of his opponent and of the system in general. It would appear some influential actor ensured that information didn’t go beyond the local community. But why didn’t anyone in the community act on it? That he is not being held accountable for such blatant disregard for the truth and the flouting of the public trust is incomprehensible to me. If we condone such behavior in our elected officials, how can we expect anything different from ordinary citizens?

We, the voters, have allowed all this to happen. Those elected are the symptoms and results of our apathy, disconnect with the real issues, and too often with reality. Both sides are so far out of touch with mainstream America now that our democracy is being hijacked by the extremists on the left and right who care more about their personal “glory” than about what is best for this country. Santos and those extremists (left and right) sitting in Congress are the most egregious examples of the affliction crippling the US right now. Lack of responsibility and accountability.

As the extremists continue to pull farther and farther away from mainstream America and basic common sense, we risk losing what so many fought so hard to protect – our democracy. While there are many complex issues to address, a basis for the cure rests on two basic principles: Equality and Accountability – for everyone. True equality is the only way to end discrimination, and full accountability for one’s actions (and inactions) is the only way to sustain civilized society.

Even though it may seem like our government is trying to get us to feel disenfranchised so we will stop participating, don’t give up or give in. Stay informed, be active, understand the issues in your community, state, and the country as a whole. Treat everyone equally and hold them accountable. That is especially true for elected officials who are supposed to be putting our best interests above all. Remember that when the next election cycle comes around and vote accordingly.

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com 1-16-2023