Government in action (inaction)

It is fascinating to me that severely important topics seem to be shelved until they become a crisis. Healthcare and Social Security are good examples of this. We have been hearing that the healthcare and Social Security costs for quite some time now, but still have yet to see any major changes. The problem with the Congress is that it rewards inaction. It is a very plush and privileged existence to be a Congress person. It's not something that people are willing to risk losing. Congress has an amazing reelection rate. This is much more amazing when you consider its approval rating sunk below 20% within the last year. Congress has an amzing 20% approval and and a 94% re-election rate. To me these numbers are saying, "I hate the job that Congress is doing, but they are there until they die or are arrested." If a congress person wants to advance politically then all of their previous legislation will be brought up against them (this is also why Governers tend to do well. They don't have a voting record). One politician who tried to put through legislation to help prevent child molestation was accused of teaching kindergardners about sex etc. It can become truly nasty. Therefore there is very sstrong incentive to keep your head down, and do as little as possible.

So passing a controversial bill, no matter how beneficial, seems to be an almost impossibility. It is amusing to me that how much people are concerned with one party controlling the House, Senate, and Presidency with a large majority. It amuses me because even though people think that the majority will march us as far to the left as they can, the reality is quite different. We can be petty and ignorant and whine that the difference between a free capitalist society, and a dreadful Stalinist Socialist Regime is a 3% income tax hike. People will and are doing that now. In reality, the Democratic Congress and Senate aren't very willing to make themselves future targets, and while things indeed will change it will be far less dramatic than people who thrive on fear for ratings will have you believe.