Legislative paralysis upsets US voters

Congress will soon be returning from its Easter recess, and if its members have been doing what they say they have been doing they will be a crestfallen lot. Before adjournment the Democrats in the Senate managed to scupper a compromise immigration bill that would have bolstered border security and laid out a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants living and working in America. Result: no action.

A brawl between Republicans who want to rein in spending, and Democrats and Republicans who have never met a spending programme they disliked, stalled agreement on a budget. Result: no action.

Petrol prices soared 25 per cent while congress maintained swingeing tariffs on imported ethanol, an anti-pollutant additive, and at the same time mandated increased use of ethanol in petrol. Prices up, motorists angry, congress impotent because it cannot agree on a sensible energy policy. Result: no action.

There’s more, but you get the idea – a restless electorate, a paralysed congress, and an election approaching. We may well see some real changes in the makeup of congress come November.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-2136078.html

Comments

[Frank Schnittger]

In most democracies it is the job of the executive branch of Government to govern, and to propose legislation to that end. It is the job of the legislature to debate, amend, delete and insert into that legislation as it sees fit – and usually to allow itself to be cajoled into supporting the leadership and policies of the executive branch. When that system breaks down you have renewed negotiations, sometimes a re-alignment of parties, and if all else fails, an early general election. It is then up to the electorate to give a verdict on the performance of the executive and a renewed direction to the legislature on where policies should lead.

Although the American system is somewhat different it is still the primary function of the Executive to provide leadership and direction. To blame congress is to kick the cart rather than the horse. Irwin Steltzer, in his usual quest to exonerate all things Bush, seeks to blame congress instead. Or the Chinese; or those greedy Oil producing countries; perhaps the EU and the CAP. What about the French and UN failure to support the Iraq invasion?

Virtually all the problems besetting “a restless electorate” can and should be laid at Bush’s door. When will Irwin get the message?