Senate dysfunction

Are members of the U.S. Senate really there for deliberation?


In a recent edition of The New Yorker, George Packer reported that the U.S. Senate does absolutely nothing. This is confirmed by freshman senator Michael Bennet, who stated: “Sit and watch us for seven days — just watch the floor. You know what you’ll see happening? Nothing.


Former Democratic leader Tom Daschle remarked, “When we scheduled votes, the only day where we could be absolutely certain we had all one hundred senators there was Wednesday afternoon.”


Where are they? Fundraising. They can’t raise money from their office by law. As the cost of running a campaign increases, more time and effort has to be spent in the pursuit of dollars and less time in running one of the three branches that govern our land.


Something has to change. Some states have adopted term limits to stem the flow of money in state races, but this has not changed the bitter partisan politics that prevail. Now that has its hungry jaws around the throat of our nation.


Bob Hemenway
Kansas City

Comments

[K. Sirridge]

Perhaps, if they miss a 'day of work'..they should forgo a day of pay. Don't ever recall getting paid for not showing up..why should they?