Congressional Democrats recently announced that they were scrapping plans for a vote on a comprehensive climate and energy policy bill, but might bring it back during the “lame duck” session after the elections.  What does this tell us about our legislative branch?

First of all, it tells us that the answer to the question “Are you really that stupid or do you just think we are?” is that they think we are mostly stupid enough to not look beyond the sound bites and edited videos.  Too many people would rather be angry and assign blame than actually be part of solving a problem.  It is much easier to blow stuff up than it is to build a functional, inclusive society that values and empowers everyone.

Second, it shows that the only way to get Congress to do what’s right, to make the hard choices on tough issues, to put the long term survival of our country and our planet ahead of the price of gas next week, is during the only couple of weeks they are not running for re-election.

It is time to force our representatives to focus their energies on doing the job they have been elected to do, and NOT on the next election.   Serving in Congress should be full time job.  Campaigning for it certainly has become one.  You can’t do two full time jobs at the same time, especially when there is a clear conflict of interest between the two.

All elected offices should have term limit of ONE.   No one should ever be running for “re-election”.  Being elected to office should also be treated like military service:  you are committed to serving out the full term unless you receive a dishonorable discharge.  And during that term, you are not allowed to run for any other elected position at any level of government.  You are not allowed to collect even one penny of campaign contributions.

If the only way to free Congressmen from their corporate pimps is during a “lame duck” session, then all the sessions should be “lame ducks.”