Congressional Malfeasance

The below letter to the editor is by Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. He is a Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative and active in the Oklahoma Republican Assembly.

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Bob McDowell

By Bob McDowell: Elected officials seem to love the deference with which they expect to be, and are, treated by the population at large. It begins at the time of taking the oath of office, after which they are addressed with the title of "Honorable", whether or not their actions in any way are such. It is most disconcerting and discouraging to see how disputatious (argumentative) and mean mouthed some are, particularly in the deliberations on matters which have the most effect on those who were responsible for their position, the voters.

The most recent, and perhaps most critical to the Nation were the early August negotiations for an increase in the "debt ceiling" where those on the left (socialist/communist) or Democrat side of the isle became completely unmoving and, unfortunately, the Speaker and others gave in and agreed to a 'compromise'. It should be remembered that to those of that persuasion the word 'compromise' simply means "you agree totally to my way". In the course of that program, no consideration is given to the well being of those who elected them, or to the Nation as a whole. An agreement was reached in the House, but Sen. Reid, D-NV, as leader, refused to allow it to even be given a hearing on the floor or in Committee.

On the other hand, leaders of both sides seem to take the attitude in supposed attempts to bring the spending under control so as to reduce the deficit to zero and thus start to lower the national debt. No thought seems to ever be given to terminating any of the many authorities, boards, commissions, or other bodies that do nothing but spend money and issue (unconstitutionally) rules that end up having the force of law. It is the Constitutional duty of Congress to make laws and, at least in my opinion, present and past congresses have violated the Constitution by passing that authority to these appointed or hired entities. At the least, Congress (and State Legislatures) should have a recorded vote to approve or reject each and every such proposed rule.

In their budget discussions, it appears that no thought has been given to abolishing any of these delegated boards, especially those no longer active, and at the least terminate the present automatic annual 10 percent increase in budget for each one of them that has been reported. Most of us do not have an automatic 10 percent increase in income, especially those of us now receiving payments from Social Security, which has not increased in at least two years because the Budget Office has decided to not include the cost of food and fuel in determining inflation rate.

It seems that it would be far better to consider those rather than the proposed 'cuts' in Social Security, Medicare, Defense (both military and civilian), and roads, etc. After all, it is the duty of government, at all levels, to provide for the protection of the population, both from without and within, maintain a stable currency, and fulfill obligations that have been paid into. It is no secret that we are not being protected from enemies from without because our borders are not secure, apparently by design.

It seems more proper to use our National Guard members on active duty to guard the borders, with live ammunition, rather than deploy them overseas (probably illegally). During the Linden Johnson administration Social Security funds were merged into the general accounting and thus have been wasted, plus over the years Congresses have added recipients not in the original law who have not contributed (including illegal aliens). The highway "trust fund" has been robbed to pay for such things as bike paths and rail installations. The airport "trust fund" has been robbed to pay for special interest projects of Congressional members.

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