As the developments over the past few days have shown, the representatives in Congress have displayed an uncanny ability to act silly in the affairs of state. Unfortunately while both sides of the political spectrum bears responsibility for this spectacle, it is clear to the casual observer that the majority of the blame has to laid at the feet of the Republican Party. The antics of Messers Boehner, Cantor and McConnell et al shows how clearly out of stepped the Republican leadership and party is with the hopes and aspirations of the American people. However this was to be expected, since Senator McConnell stated on the heels of the Republican victory in last November’s election that “the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one term President”. Really!!! I would think that as the Minority leader in the Senate your role was to ensure that the Government of the United States functioned efficiently and effectively in serving the American people, making their daily lives better and ensuring we have opportunities for advancement and prosperity for all Americans, not just the top 1% who can contribute and bankroll your election campaign.

Unfortunately the Republicans believe that they have a mandate from last November’s election when that is clearly not the case. Barack Obama’s presidency did not create the debt limit crisis. He has been in office for less than three years, but the bulk of the Republican leadership has sat passively on the sidelines when we had the Republican Party running the full show in both Congress and the Presidency, and spending was allowed to spiral out of control. The then Republican controlled Congress showed timidity and ignorance in taking the “bull by the horn” and getting the budget deficits under control. I believe that the American people need to wake up and realize just what type of situation we have existing on Capitol Hill. Instead of just trying to pass a constitutional amendment for a balanced budget, we need to look at also passing a constitutional amendment that provides for term limits to members of Congress. The bulk of our problems from having career politicians will evaporate, with the advent of a Congress that truly encapsulates, the vision and desires of the founding fathers for a citizen legislature that is representative of the people.