Congressional Reprieve--A Sad Commentary on America

A couple of days ago, Congress passed another continuing resolution. I believe most people in America barely blinked an eye at the passing of the CRA, as it is called.

However, passing the CRA is significant. It allows the government to continue functioning--at least for another two weeks. This year's budget battles represents everything that needs to be fixed in our system.

The government is working without an approved budget. Congress is supposed to approve a budget and forward it to the President for signature and execution.  Sadly, neither the Democratic controlled congress (before January, nor the newly divided congress seems to know how to get through this process.

Here is the rub--the new fiscal year began on October 1, 2010--over five months ago. People forget that if the formerly fully Democratic-controlled Congress had done its job, we would not be in the position of playing partisan politics with the newly Republican-controlled House squared off against the Democratic-controlled Senate and the President.  But, alas, they didn't take their responsibilities seriously enough to put the work and functioning of this great nation ahead of personal politicking.

What is the impact? Inefficiency! In the end there is going to be a huge amount of waste, ineffectively spent fiscal funding, and maybe even a total governmental breakdown.

Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution begins to define the powers of Congress as follows:
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

As this is the first of  about 17 statements regarding what the congress is supposed to be doing, I would surmise that it is fairly important. Without a budget, none of the items listed can be accomplished. Congress is so focused upon internal politics that they are failing to accomplish their Constitutionally mandated mission.

Write your senators and representatives and remind them to get back to work governing this great land and providing "for the common defense and general welfare of the United States."

Whose fault is it?

It does not matter--they all are at fault.