Toss ‘em out and start over again

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    By the time you read this, the federal government shutdown may be over.
    But one thing is certain: both political parties need to shoulder the blame for this mess. So I think the only solution is to start a new, non-violent American revolution.
    How? I’d like to see every incumbent Congress Critter and U.S. Senator up for reelection next year defeated.

    I’m dead serious. Congress has become ineffective as well as stubborn. In addition, it’s almost impossible to unseat an incumbent. Some members of Congress have been around so long that they’re like furniture — and just as effective.
    Let’s consider how and why the federal government shut down.
    Congress is required by the Constitution to pass a federal budget from Oct 1. – Sept. 30 every year. The majority in the House and Senate have to agree on the budget, vote and then send it to the president for his signature. If the president doesn’t sign it, it can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate.
    Most House Republicans are upset about the passage of Obamacare. So in order to show their constituents that they mean business, they refused to vote for the budget.
    Since Obamacare is funded by federal dollars, does this mean the health care program won’t go into effect? No.
    The bill was passed as a permanent entitlement much like Medicare and Social Security, according to the Health and Human Services Department. Therefore, it doesn’t require Congressional approval every year. So when the shutdown started, the very program that caused the ruckus went into effect anyhow. Go figure.
    Other programs weren’t as fortunate.
    If you lose your Social Security card and need a duplicate to apply for fuel assistance this winter, you’re out of luck. The field offices can’t issue replacements during a shutdown.
    The federal court system, already bogged down with heavy caseloads in rural states, slows down even more. Employees considered non-essential are furloughed.
    Veterans appealing the denial of disability benefits have to wait longer for a determination because the government can’t issue any decisions during a shutdown.
    Families of service members who died in combat or training were nearly denied financial assistance during the federal work stoppage, but Congress put an end to that madness last week.
    You know how the game is played. After a serious, heart-wrenching problem gets on national television, Congress trips over its own feet to fix it.
    So the shutdown has affected more people than tourists who can’t visit Acadia National Park.     Now it’s our turn. Toss ‘em out and start all over. Bring some newcomers to Washington who are serious about representing our best interests, not just holding down a $174,000-a-year job with more benefits than we’ll ever enjoy.
    They shut us down. We need to shut them down next year and send them packing.
    Mike Lange is a staff writer with the Piscataquis Observer. His opinions are his own and don’t necessarily reflect those of this newspaper.