There is an old joke about the two women discussing who to vote for in the local sheriff's race. One said, "I'm voting for Jones." The other said indignantly, "But everyone knows he's a crook! Smith is the honest man!" "Yes," replied the first woman, "and I do not wish to ruin an honest man by electing him to public office!"

Congress, for the most part, is a joke. Somewhere, somehow, there must be a law that can be invoked stopping Big O from many of the shenanigans that he is getting away with on a daily basis. Furthermore, virtually all of the Democrats are hacks, as evidenced by the straight party line vote in Bill Clinton's impeachment. There was no honor to be found among the Democrats. They are far worse now.

The leading Republicans should be ashamed for not busting their butts trying to bust Obama's butt. Our government is broke. How do we fix it? I do not know. I am a lot dumber than our founding fathers, who thought they had built a fairly idiot proof system, except for Ben Franklin, who recognized the idiocy of humanity and predicted the Republic would not last very long. Actually, many other founding fathers expressed grave doubts about Americans being honest enough and honorable enough to govern fairly and well for any lengthy period of time. They were, unfortunately, quite prescient.

"How do we fix it?" I do not believe anything short of another revolution is going to fix our ridiculously bloated government. After all, the very people we elect to office to fix things are the very people who would be required to shoot themselves in the foot regards erasing all the lovely perks and rewards they get.

And as far as The Communist goes, if he weren't so dangerous for our country, he would be the joke of the century.

One must assume that a Congress, composed of 75% lawyers, must provide some pretty hefty perks. Any lawyer worth his salt, these days, has to be knocking down twice that amount. The power and riches, amassed by most long term congresspeople, would stagger quite a few imaginations. Unfortunately, whe constituants are NOT receiving a commensurate value in wisdom and leadership. It appears that these two valuable traits are inversely proportional to the number of terms served!

Burt, I think part of the answer is to have Congress in session only during the summer. They would commence right after Memorial Day and end by Labor Day. This means that agendas would have to be fairly short--perhaps two or three important items to work on. The rest of the year they would be back in their home states, off of the federal dollar. While in session they would work on a per diem basis. Mandatory unannounced urinalysis testing would be a workplace requirement. Since most of their time would be spent away from Washington, D.C., housing wouldn't be an expensive issue. A congressional barracks could be built with secure bus transportation provided daily to and from the U.S. Capitol.

Serving in Congress should be a patriotic duty, not a career choice. Though I have reservations about term limits, I'm afraid we no longer have the option of an informed citizenry making responsible choices. Incumbency, by itself, is a powerful reelection force.

This article was even better the 2nd time around!

Term limits? We don't need no stinkin' term limits!

Actually, with their pension plan we couldn't afford term limits.

"After America," Mark Steyn. Everything is free in America, under the good feelings of guilt. As a Boston radio talk show host says, " I don't want to be treated to anything extra, I just want to be treated like an illegal, undocumented immigrant. Another great shame pointed at those who oppose illegals is that you get put into a group that opposes immigrants, never illegal immigrants.

Another great article Burt. And then what was that greatbood about, " The Fall of The Roman Empire."

Burt,

If Obama could have his way he would set the term limits for Congress and the Senate. He would merely get rid of a Senator or Congressman the moment that they disagreed with him. After all, he has repeatedly stated that he will achieve his agenda with or without Congress. He has been cicumventing Congress without consequence so far. Seriously though, I do not believe that Congressman should recieve any pay. They all volunteer to run and provide representation for their constituants. They could as you say use the technology that is available to them and through phone and even video conferencing hold the hearings that and discussions needed on each issue that they are going to vote on and only meet for votes one week every quarter. The sponsors of each bill on the agenda make a quick 5 minute argument for their bill and one Congressman give a 5 minute argument as to why they and the others who disagree with it are against it and then vote. There is no holding Congress until the bill is passed if it is defeated then 6 months or a year later it can be presented again. That way they can all spend most of their time at home among their constituants, working at their normal jobs, and only 4 weeks of the year on Capitol Hill voting. The same goes for the Senate. Of course there may be a special circumstance that is outside of their control that may have to bring them together in an emergancy, say an act of war against America or something along that order. But for the most part this would work much better. This is just the tip of the iceburg of where we could save the taxpayers money. Oh yeah, no more government provided health care or pensions for them either.

Jonathan and Jim: I like your notions. The less time Congress is in session, the better. I forget if it's Murphy's Law or someone else's, but I know for a fact it's true that work--in this case, mischief--expands in accordance with the time allowed to do it.

Burt

"Between the influx of illiterates and our sub-standard public schools.."

Burt, when I read the above, I thought you were writing about Congress again.

Your observation about the collective American IQ is sadly a commentary on the measurable effect of the "dumbing down" phenomenon advanced through technology by progressives/socialists in education, media, and government. In 2011 the reported average Collective IQ was 2, not 100 as disseminated by the feds. At your estimated rate of decline, we'll be dumber than naught, or as dumb as dumb can get before the election. Thank God. Then there is nowhere to go but up, and we can be led by our Genius, reportedly maintaining his oft underestimated IQ of 147, into a world of carefree bliss and the magnanimity of sharing.

Obama is so smart that no one can understand him.

While anyone who achieved a 10th grade education prior to the publication of “I’m OK, You’re OK” and the rise in media coverage about the popularity of homosexuality among homosexuals knows that he is not a “natural born citizen”, this explains why no elected oath betrayers or media obfuscators are asking:

“Why is an ineligible man being allowed to occupy the Office of the President.”, and,

“Why is a man who, by his own words and deeds, confirms that he is a pathological liar, crony capitalist, anti-American, racist traitor not being impeached by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives?”

Can it be that every single one of the elected legislators and politically appointed judges has already achieved a measure of intelligence that is below the collective average?

Greg,

You refer to "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Edward Gibbon. It should be required reading to graduate high school, but apparently you can graduate now without even being able to read at all...

In our current times, aside from illegalism, the three headed monster in the room is Islam, illeagalism and socialism, and all three are backed by the liberals.

Where Rome itself may have fallen because the liberal immature mindset of the time eroded the culture from within, the Roman civilization was not destroyed by the German barbarians coming to conquer the eroded by liberals Rome.

Although Rome itself fell, Roman civilization survive the German barbarian sacking of AD 476 Rome. In fact it lived on untill about AD 650-700. It was the Arab Islamics that destroyed the North African and holy land cultures that the Roman culture created or improved. This itself ended European trade with those lands bringing poverty and initiating the dark ages.

This is extremely important today. The liberal mindset wishes to embrace Islam, they are so cowardly affraid of Islam they will invite them in to our culture of toleration and defend them against conservatives standing up to them rather than mature beyond their own cowardice. Intolerant Islam will conquer us from within.

It was Henri Pirenne who first elucidated this truth of reality back in the 20s. Today a Mr. Emmet Scott has furthered the thinking with his "Mohammed and Charlemagne Revisited".

Liberals will always prefer illusion to truth, and unfortunately this, if they are in controll and have their way, is the signing of Americas death warrent.

Nobama 2012, vote republican. Thank you.

PS, In the first sentence the "aside from illegalism" was supposed to be erased. Obviously I missed that, sorry. Thanks.

The General Assembly in Maryland meets for three months a year beginning in January. Three months is obviously much too long a period of time for a legislature to convene.

PDK: You are right about liberals and followers of Islam.

Charles: You are right about legislatures. The only place where members of Congress should be allowed to convene for more than a few days at a time is jail.

Burt

The Wyoming legislature meets every other year for a regular session of 40 days and the other year for a budget session of 20 days. Even this is too much I sometimes think. The individual legislators have no staff. There is a general staff to print up bills, etc. They also own businesses or have regular jobs. I believe it was Daniel Webster who said, "The only time the Republic is safe is when Congress is not in session."

As for why do the crooks and/or mental midgets spend $ one million and more to get a job (is it really a job?) that pays Less than $200,000, it is graft and bribes. Our Republic is not supposed to have a aristocracy.

Howard: Unfortunately, our Republic has an aristocracy, but it's not only made up of political hacks, but movie actors, rock stars, professional athletes and people like Paris Hilton and the Kardashians, who seem to have accumulated fame and fortune by drawing a number out of a hat.

Burt

Burt - I would say the actors, rock stars, professional athletes and don't forget the political hacks fall in the category of po white trash. BTW, politician and statesman are not synonyms but antonyms.

Howard: It's my opinion that "statesman" is a euphemism that politicians concocted in much the same way that trash collectors and janitors decided at some point that they should be called

some sort of engineers.

If you run for office, you're a politician. If you owe your job to a politician, you are a bureaucrat.

Burt

Ugh...

From now on, I need to remember never to read your column over coffee, as coffee was never intended to be expelled through the nose.

Great job, once again, Burt!

Burt: James Madison, Samuel Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, etc. were statesmen. Gingrich, Romney, McConnell, Boehner, Klinton, Al Bore, Bush I and II, etc. are politicians. And if you owe your job to a politician you are a whore. My brother has a definition of a politician, someone who would suck _________ for a vote.

The "sad state of the union"? The union is rapidly unraveling, with Comrade Obummer pulling the unraveling thread with one hand while holding the door open for jihadists with the other.

Soon Comrade BO will initiate another "change", i.e., to make America the Divided Soviet States of Obummer. Already he operates as a tyrant with impunity and no fear of impeachment by the cowards in the House. Our Great Comrade desires to emulate the Sultan of Venezuela, Comrade Hugo Chavez, Leader for Life.

How can the once great America sit back and watch all this happening? Where are the Minutemen, the Colonial Militia, the statesmen, and the righteous leaders?

I am going to disagree,. Congress should be a full time job, We The People should have access to our Representatives 24/7/365, & that at their district (home) offices. That being said, they should only meet each month in DC, the last 10 days of each month, & voting on legislation should be limited to the 29th, 30th, & 31st of any given month. So no new laws in February, except Leap Years, 3 legislative days in Jan, March, May, July, August, October, & December (but Congress may want to be home for Christmas thru NewYears, we can hope, or even insist), & only 2 legislative days for April, June, September, & November (but Congress may want to be home for Thanksgiving, we can hope, or we can insist).

Burt:

Murphy's law is, roughly, "If something can go wrong, it will". I've also heard "the likelihood of something happening is inversely proportional to its desirability". "Work expands to fill the allotted time" is Parkinson's law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law

PSU, Murphy was an optimist. Also that is the 80/20 rule. It takes 80% of the effort to do 20% of the work. That is why nothing seems to get done.

Article I, Section 6 says, "The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." Doesn't say it has to be more than minimum wage. Any other compensation should be the responsibility of their constituents, paid by their state governments. That would include all staff, office supplies, housing in DC, etc, etc.

PSU: Right you are. It is Parkinson's I had in mind.

Best, Burt

India: Where do you keep the paper towels? If I caused the mess, it's my responsibility to clean it up. Now if only Congress and the President felt the same way.

Burt

The arrogance of our politicians is in direct proportion to the ignorance of their constituencies.

Howard Last - I like your brother's definition of a politician. Vulgar, but true, like it's namesake.

Burt

OK, you had to bring up the education issue.

I have become my 8th grade grandson's algebra tutor, mainly because his dad can't explain it in a way that he can understand. OK, an ancient problem.

Regardless, I was explaining a process the other evening, the name of what it was when I was in the eighth grade escapes me. What they call it now is something I don't want to remember. Anyway, what I did when I was in the eighth grade took two or three steps, and logical steps too. What they teach now to do the same thing is ridiculous!!! Do this, and then do this, and go through all these mathmatical gymnastics and VOILA! you may have the answer.

I showed him how to do it the way I was taught. Unfortunately, if he doesn't do it their way he doesn't get credit - right or wrong.

Disgusting....

@Norge: The problem with requiring our students to read [and understand] Gibbon is that , first, we must have teachers who have read and can understand Gibbon. Good luck with that.

Posters, the one problem with a part-time legislature is that unelected, unaccountable staffs write the bills and there isn't enough time to read and ask questions on what items mean.

One only need ask who inserted the section in the "Cash for Clunkers" law that said if you used your home computer to do "Cash for Clunkers" on-line, your computer was now under federal control?

Regarding the modern American education system and the entertainment industry: If the young minds of the masses are purposely and gradually spoon fed the pablum of socialism and told to accept lies as truth, will the masses accept slavery more willingly when it comes?

Burt:

You are "right on" concerning teachers unions. I negotiated with the California Teachers Association for 11 years and found them to be a bunch of cry babies at best. I had to continually remind union negotiators that they were not representing students; they were representing their members. The Wisconsin debacle brought the true values of teacher union members concerning students to light. What a bunch of lying hypocrites they are. To see teachers yelling and participating in civil disobedience had to have a negative impact on the the public. Education and student learning began its downward slide once teacher unions came on the scene. I cannot understand how a majority of the public cannot see the negative effect unions have had on learning in our public schools. It is because of the influence of the NEA and state teacher unions that democrats fight vouchers for private schools. The vast majority of private school students continue to out perform public schools students. I have been able to witness this first hand with our grandchildren. Public schools have become an embarrassment and something has to be done about it.

What is most discouraging is that most Americans still do not understand how rotten our schools, our teachers and their unions, are. And if they are aware, they don't care, which is a far greater tragedy. The fact that the teachers unions, along with the other thuggish unions, are able to force Gov. Scott Walker into a new election tells us in what a sad state Wisconsin is, and Wisconsin is typical of far too many states these days.

Burt

Sorry folk's, but to much damage to our Constitution has been done to ever recover fully.

We have let idiots get elected to the House and Senate and the Whitehouse, both Democrates & Republicians as well. As soon as they take are sworn in they immediately start Campagining for the next election. A good example of what I am talking about....Where did Obama come from, about 95% of we citizen's never heard of him until he ran for president.

One can only wonder why neither House or Senate never complains about how he { Obama } is skirting both the House and Senate on all these appointments, the reason Obama has so many czars is because he himself don't have an "inkling" as to what a President is supposed to do.

It seems that no one in Washington cares a tinkers damn about the Constitution, I think we needed the TEA PARTY LONG BEFORE NOW, But I guess better late than never,

We must put GOD back into our lives, our schools and political offices every where, follow the Constitution as it is written, it has served us forover 220 plus years, why quit going by it now.

Why is it that ONE IDIOT can stop something they the majority wants.Why? because of these LIBERAL JUDGE'S making the laws rather that Congress, when the majority of a state's population wants something and they vote on it the Governor signs it and then a liberal idiot Judge steps in and rules it UN-CONSTITUTIONAL, again why? And God help us if Obama gets to appoint another liberal idiot to the Supreme Court. God help us and please God please help this great nation, and restore it to its origional state as it use to be, in other words, please put it back like it was before it got like it is.

deano.............