Congressional Hearings
By inallduetime
@inallduetime (741)
United States
April 2, 2007 3:23am CST
Who else is sick and tired of this non-sense? Some things require and in-depth analysis and further explanation but what good is all of it really? The majority of hearings do not amount to anything.
I think there should be a grass roots effort to amend the constitution that says, any un-necessary hearings will be paid for by the parties requesting the hearing(s).
What would constitute un-necessary? Anything that did not lead to some sort of change in the status quo, would be classified as un-necessary. Why so harsh? The harshness in my rhetoric is due to the fact that, I think these people hold these hearings so it appears to the public as if they are actually doing something, when in reality all they seek to do is to make the other guy look bad.
I think only a small percentage of these hearings are conducted with the intent to introduce "change". Well enough of this non-sense. If they want to hold hearings, they can do it with their own money and own their own time.
Therefore, I would love to see some new amendment that dictates: hearings would be paid for by the parties requesting it and that there would be no breaks. In other words, not only would they pay for un-necessary hearings but - they would be in session all year round - on their own time.
I know I cannot be alone in my thinking, so who agrees with me? Regardless if you agree or disagree, please state why you agree or disagree?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@MrCoolantSpray (1005)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Personally, I think all elected officials should be unpaid. That would pretty much erase the corruption in Congress, and instead fill the seats with people who vehemently care for change.
A small living stipend would be necessary, but something along the lines of a student pastor who gets a free parsonage and free utilities would be enough. There are too many poor people going without necessities while congressmen are debating over whether or not to lower student loan interest rates by half a percent for six months. It's ridiculous.
1 person likes this
@inallduetime (741)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Personally, I agree with you! But, there would be no stipend either. I have spent many hours thinking about this and my reason for such a stance includes but is not limited to:
1-the benefits they get in their public sector jobs are far better than some get even some in the private sector. In addition, we pay for their: retirement schemes, healthcare, investment schemes, travel, etc. etc. etc. Sure they pay into social security without taking anything out, but they have two very sufficient retirement programs to choose from and both are far better than SSI.
2-Everyone should receive a cost of living raise, these people are not special. If most jobs are no longer giving cost of living adjustments - regardless of the reason - then they should not expect one either; Especially in a public service job taking money from tax payers - the very tax payers who are not receiving a cost of living allowance. If they feel the benefits in addition to their salaries is not enough, then leave. In fact, I wish some of them would leave because the longer some of them are in office, the more we have to pay them(based on position and grade level). The sad part is if/when they do leave, we still end up supporting them....
While I agree with everything else you have said, I disagree about the stipend. I am not a radical thinker. Basically, the reason I disagree about the stipend is, this is no longer the Jefferson or Adams era, we do not have in place the best and brightest the country has to offer holding offices. I have always disagreed with people and especially with people such as the author of this article http://www.uwire.com/content/topops020602002.html His position is if we paid them more, we could get better quality people. His position is: we want to attract the best people, and those people would be those that are successful in their lives and careers. The only problem with that is, there already some bright and successful people in office. How many people have entered office as millionaries? One does not become a millioniare by chance and luck alone. So, his argument simply falls flat and paying more is not the solution.
I agree it is all very ridiculous....great response, rated +.
1 person likes this
@MrCoolantSpray (1005)
• United States
9 Apr 07
Thanks for the best response. My original ideas were to make to suggest political positions be completely voluntary, with no pay whatsoever, but that would be prohibitive to all but the rich and power hungry. Which is exactly the problem we want to avoid.
There was a topic on here a while back about benelovent dictators being the answer to all of life's ills. The problem with politics, is that political positions are positions of power. And, power corrupts. C'est la vie.
@inallduetime (741)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Thanks. Actually I was talking about Amer. It can surely apply to any country with a similar structure or govering system. Great minds think alike...thanks for the response, rated +.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I think the hearings are trying to intidamate the President and to grab more power. President Bush has been exercising his Consitiutional Powers and Congress wants to restrict his powers and increase theirs. There are more and more Congress members and Senators that are Career politicians and feel they should be leading the country and the president should consult with them on all matters. Because I have been reelected for the past 20 years I know more about running the country than you do. They beleive in compromise because they always get something out of every confration. There are tims I think they feel they are the ruling class and have a right to thier office.
We solve the problemby voting them out of office and holding the newly elected to do what they promised or vote them out.
@inallduetime (741)
• United States
8 Apr 07
It is always about power, everything is about power with these people. And you are right, they do think they are the ruling class and that comes from the people.
People simply defer to much power and authority to office holders, and anytime that happens certain elected officials demand more and more which ultimately ends up destroying (corrupting) some of these people.
Arrogance and power has ruined many.....great response, rated +
@Smith2028 (797)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Political power and degredation are the only reasons so many congressional hearings are held.
Most of them are no only pointless but are a waste of the tax payers money.
Steriod use in Baseball, the deal with the Gonzales aide are just two examples. Worst of all, we don't gain wind of most of the hearings that actually happen.
1 person likes this
@inallduetime (741)
• United States
8 Apr 07
I agree it's all about flexing muscle instead of actual work. Hold a hearing or some stupid press conference, anything to get out of a little work. I would fire the lot of them right this second if I could. I would keep a few, as there are some good elected officials in office but the bulk of them would be out......great response, rated +.
