Matt Micros's Blog: Rantings, Ravings & Remembrances - Posts Tagged "congress"

AS THE POLITICAL WORLD BURNS...

Not much makes sense in the world of politics these days, but one thing that is extremely puzzling is the filibuster rule. For those not familiar with what a filibuster is, it comes from the word "filibustero", which has Dutch and Spanish origins meaning "robber" or "pirate". I can't think of a better word to describe members of the US Congress. Stealing money from the people to accomplish little except investigations of each other.

The filibuster has been in place for 100 years, and allows a Senator to block legislation by speaking against it for as long as the person likes. To get them to stick a sock in it and move to a vote requires 60% of the senators in attendance. Amazing that a Senator can get elected with 50.1% of the vote. A President can get elected with TWO electoral college votes more than their opponent, but it requires 60% to stop someone from droning on and on in the senate. The House of Representatives has no such rule presumably because the people in it are actually interested in representing the people, or because they get bored easily.

The rule (Senate Rule 22) is in place in an effort to maintain checks and balances in our government, so that radical ideas in both directions cannot get passed and also to encourage bi-partisan work in Congress. The problem is that bi-partisan efforts are rare as Senators follow the party line far more often than not, out of fear of being voted out at the next opportunity by the people that voted them in. The rare exceptions are those areas that are decidedly Republican or Democratic but voted for a President from the opposite party.

You might then wonder, how does anything ever get done in our government? The simple answer is that it doesn't. The last time either party had a filibuster proof senate was in 1977 when Jimmy Carter was in office. The Republicans have had a majority but never a supermajority in the senate. Which brings me to my main question. What is wrong with a simple majority to pass legislation? Democrats fear the "Nuclear Option"--changing the rules to a simple majority to end a filibuster--because of the legislation that could get passed right now with the GOP controlling the Presidency, House and Senate. The Republicans fear what would happen if they lost control of those three. What they are all forgetting is that there is another form of checks and balance. It's called an election. If one party or the other ramrods through legislation that doesn't work or isn't helpful for the majority, they'll get voted out plain and simply. I'd rather see something get done even if it isn't perfect, than nothing at all. If it's nothing, why have such a large and intrusive government? I'm fairly certain the money could be better spent elsewhere. And who knows, when the Senators see the alternative, maybe they will reach across the aisle and work together. One can only hope they are smart enough to see that. Personally, I'm not convinced.

STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES...
Speaking of things that make no sense, what on earth is wrong with the fans at Fenway? Don't get me wrong, it isn't fair to broadly paint the entire city of Boston or Red Sox fans as racists based on the idiotic actions of a few, but when I read about the comments being hurled at Baltimore Orioles outfielder, Adam Jones, my reaction was one my wife has heard many times. "What the hell is wrong with people?!" You want to say he stinks, well that would be untrue, but within your rights as an opposing fan. But to call someone out based on the color of their skin or their ethnicity is cowardly, not to mention extremely unimaginative. You can't think of anything more clever than the most obvious thing that pops into your head? So you're a clown, a disgusting human being, and an unimaginative one at that. Congratulations, moron. I think what bothers me second most behind what Jones must have felt, is that kids undoubtedly heard these idiots. Kids aren't racists. They don't see color. They just want someone to play with. It isn't until they hear things at home or someone comes into school having heard something at home that they change. Too bad some adults don't learn from their kids instead of the other way around. And it is for that reason that I'll always think the world looks like a much nicer place when viewed through the eyes of a 9 year old.

MOVIELAND
In keeping with my tradition of promoting the best movies you've probably never heard of, I've got a terrific one for you this week. Stealing Home (1988) stars a youngish (compared to his NCIS role) Mark Harmon, Jody Foster, Jonathan Silverman, William McMamara and the late Harold Ramis.

The film is about a washed up 30-something baseball player Billy Wyatt (Mark Harmon) who learns that his childhood sweetheart, Katie (Jodie Foster), has killed herself. The fun-loving but troubled Katie, a few years older than Billy, had a dramatic influence on his life. She indicates in a note, that she wants him to handle her ashes, and so he embarks on a train ride to return to the seaside town where he grew up and hasn't returned in quite some time. It is a nostalgic look at the joys and pains of his youth as he tries to come to terms with his friend's death. This movie has a bit of everything. Romance. Friendship. Loyalty. Family. The dialogue is terrific. The acting underrated. And the music score by David Foster memorable. It's one of those movies that takes you on a bit of a roller coaster ride of emotions but leaves you walking away with a smile and wanting to hug an old friend. It might not be easy to find, but track it down. You'll be glad you did.

Until next week, may the sun shine wherever you walk and the crap stay out of your cornflakes...peace.

My wife says I’m turning into a crusty curmudgeon and while this post will do little to counteract her belief, I’m plowing ahead with it nonetheless. There are a lot of things that piss me off, but these are a few of my least favorite things (with a nod to Julie Andrews and The Sound of Music):

Geniuses who decided it was a good idea to have construction on two major highways that run parallel to each other at the same time. Do you really need to block off traffic in all possible directions?

Five people watching another person dig a hole on a construction site. Wouldn’t four be enough?

A tax code so complicated that it is nearly impossible to know if you are paying too much, too little, or exactly the right amount. How about doing away with the loopholes and then you pay what you owe? Or is that too simple?

Reality shows on network television. Toooooo maaaach. And how about some reality. Not really truthful to call a show “Dancing with the Stars” when you can’t tell who is the star and who is the dancer.

That no one makes music videos anymore.

Major League managers who feel the need to overmanage. If a guy can’t hit righties and lefties, should he really be in the major leagues?

Congress. All they do is call for investigations of each other. I’m picturing them sitting in a room sipping brandy, saying “Hey listen, we have to make it look like we are doing something. Tell you what. I’ll call for an investigation of you. Then you call for one of Chuck. Then we’ll make sure the investigations last so long people actually forget about them.” Brilliant! CLOWNS. Cue the Bad News Bears music.

Judges who are supposed to be impartial and yet feel the need to inject their opinions into cases.

People who complain about rights violations by rioting and inciting violence. Do you really think you are helping the cause when you hurt people and businesses that support your cause? On the moron scale of 1-10, this one is a 17.

The two party political system. Where are people supposed to go who believe in ideas and not platforms? There are some people that believe in ideas from each party. Why does it have to be one party or another?

People who drive slowly in the passing lane. If you’re not in a hurry, that’s wonderful, but why do you need to block other people? If you’re the traffic police, join the force. Otherwise, get out of the way!

Weather people that can’t get a forecast right until they stick their head out the window. By the way, it’s sunny outside.

Rainy weekends.

People who say they’re going to do something, don’t want any help, and then don’t do it. I think this is self explanatory.

The Motion Picture Academy thinking that most movies can’t possibly be good if they have a happy ending.

Car washes that close at 5:00pm. Umm, are we supposed to go during our lunch hour?

Rude people. (I get that this one is ironic given the title of this article)

Athletes that don’t sign autographs or give an attitude when asked for one. Shouldn’t you be flattered? Besides, you’re making millions. Pay me that much money and you can ask me in the middle of slurping my soup.

Super Bowl Sunday. Wouldn’t it make far more sense, and probably stimulate the economy much more if they played the game on a Saturday?

People who think that punching someone in the face is the answer to any problem. (Hitting them with a car is much more effective.)

But after I’ve been pissed off, there’s nothing like sitting down to watch a movie that doesn’t piss me off.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Dead Poets Society (1989) is the story of an unorthodox English teacher at a prestigious New England Prep School who inspires his students through a love of poetry and the classics.

I’m going to be honest. The first time I watched the film, I was pissed off that the kids caved to pressure from the school and their parents to railroad Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) into taking the fall for a student’s suicide. Yes, they stood on their desks at the end in a sign of solidarity and support, but give me a break. The guy was still out of a job. There is no way I would have allowed it to happen. But my parents were great parents and I didn’t grow up in the 50’s. Once I took a step back, I realized the power of the movie and what an amazing actor Robin Williams was. The only actor I know that could combine hilarity with sensitivity. You just felt there was something more inside him waiting to come out. His Mr. Keating was the teacher everyone wanted to know better. The one you respected and learned from because you wanted his respect.

Dead Poets has a terrific cast and does a wonderful job expanding on the pressures of adolescence. It’s a must see for any who have not yet seen it.

Until next week, carpe diem, and try not to piss me off…

I've tried to sit on the sidelines, thinking like most things, this too, shall pass--the "this" being the ever growing political divide in our great nation. But as I watch nightly depictions of rioting, protests ending in violence, court rulings, and FBI firings, I realized I can't sit back and do nothing. I can't sit back and not SAY anything. I see friendships torn apart. I've even heard of marriages falling apart following this year's presidential election.

But here's the thing, and there's really no way around it. Everyone is wrong. Yes, you read that right. Everyone is wrong.

Full disclosure: I think the press should report the news, not make themselves a part of it by inserting themselves and their opinions into it every single day. I don't like some of the careless and hurtful things candidate Trump said, but I like President Trump's ideas on business and taxes in an effort to jump start the economy. I think building a wall between the US and Mexico would be a historical waste of money and time. I agree that the ACA has helped a great many people, but at the same time, has hurt a great many people. I think it needs to be replaced or at least improved, but I think the current replacement being offered is ten times worse. I think Merrick Garland should have been given a hearing for the Supreme Court, but that the Democrats in Congress that tried to block Neil Gorsuch's nomination, missed a tremendous opportunity to show the country that the country comes first, just like the Republicans did.

I think Paul Ryan is a waste of space, who is out of touch with half the population and lacks the leadership skills needed to run a kickball league much less a Congress. I think Chuck Schumer is a smarmy, hypocrite who seems to have trouble recalling what he said yesterday, much less a few months ago. I think both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have served the country, sometimes well, sometimes not so well, and now they need to ride off into the sunset, never to be heard from publicly again. I think Jim Comey was horrendous at his job, but recognize that factors out of his control probably impacted his ability to DO his job. I think Congress should pass through a rule that requires only 51% of the senate to break up a filibuster in order to pass legislation, regardless of which party is in control. How else can anything be expected to get done? If legislation passes that works, aren't we all better for it? And if it doesn't, vote them out at the next opportunity. Unfortunately, I think many in Congress recognize that the buck stops with the President, and they can get away with doing absolutely NOTHING and keep their jobs, rather than putting themselves out there and risk alienating their voting base. It's the Potomac Two Step, and a pretty good reason for term limits.

But more than anything, I realize that I could be wrong on one or two or even all of the above. They are my "opinions" and this country was founded on the viewpoints of its founding fathers, some of which needed to be amended over the years. So who am I to think that my viewpoints are all correct? Who is anyone for that matter? And that's why everyone is wrong.

They're wrong because too many people are intolerant and insulting to anyone who sees things differently than they do. The thing is, you could take nearly any issue and bring up valid points on opposite sides of the argument. Think the ACA helped millions of people gain insurance that otherwise would never have it? You'd be right. But if you think that the ACA had loopholes in it that raised premiums for people that couldn't afford to have them raised, in turn dragging them into the poverty level, you'd be right on that as well.

Don't want to see the families of illegal immigrants split up? Understandable. But if you're upset because friends can't gain a Green Card or Visa that have tried to do everything the correct way, that's understandable as well.

Think the rich should pay their fair share of taxes? I'd agree with that. But how do you define rich? Is it fair to drag upper middle class into the middle class because you classify them as "rich" in comparison? Doing so might help preserve some excellent entitlement programs, but in the long run, does it demotivate the work force? What's the point of working hard if you aren't going to end up any better off than someone who maybe doesn't work very hard?

Social issues are even more complicated. Personally, I'm in favor of live and let live. People should be free to marry whomever they want or dress however they want. Pro-life? I can see how some people view the moment of conception as a life being created. But I also see the point of those that don't see it that way. And then I wonder if the government should even have any say on those issues at all? We could shrink the government, but then that might mean less help for the less fortunate.

I see people giving speeches that I completely disagree with, but still find it sad when those same people aren't allowed to speak at all. Isn't it a free country? Since when is violent protest the answer to any question or problem?

The bigger question is how do we solve the problems at hand? I'd start with a healthy dose of Aretha Franklin--respect. And follow it up by listening to opposing views rather than trying to shout over them. There are two sides to every argument. How can someone in California, who has never spent a minute living in the Midwest or rust belt, be critical of someone from there that has real issues and real struggles? Likewise, how can someone from a town of 10,000 people, understand the economic and social problems of a city of 10 million? They can't. Unless they listen.

Here's hoping people listen more, and insult less. Here's hoping that Congress and the President will attempt to do the greatest good for the greatest number. Respect--for each other. Sacrifice--to help others. Compassion--for those less fortunate. Understanding--that not everyone comes from the same background as you do.

In a world of left and right, right and wrong, the middle can be a lonely place to live. The good news is that there's plenty of room here and you'll always be welcomed with open arms.