3) The congress envisioned by the founders has been replaced by a weakened legislative branch in which debate is strictly curtailed, party leaders dictate the agenda, most elected representatives rarely get a say and government shutdowns are a regular threat due to chronic failures to agree on budgets. It has changed into one that functions more as a junior partner to the executive, or doesn't function at all when it comes to the country's pressing priorities. For example, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declined to allow debate on a proposal that sought to limit foreign influence in U.S. elections. Saying to colleagues such a bill could become a two-week ordeal. Instead, the Senate spent most of the next three months confirming President Donald Trump's judicial and administrative nominees.
Junior senators have fewer opportunities to wade into the issues of the day, largely because Senate leaders limit the number of votes on amendments to proposed legislation. The number of such votes had shrunk to an all-time low under McConnell, less than 20 percent of all roll calls, down from 67 percent 12 years ago. Executive branch agencies now make law, not Congress.
There is rampant misrepresentation of the people. About 1 percent of all Americans are millionaires, but roughly 46 percent of those serving in Congress have a net worth of $1 million or more. 33.1% of congress is over 65 when the US population over 65 is only 19.75%. 77% of congress is white when only 72.4% of the population is. 81.3% of congress is Christian when only 69% of the population is. 76.4% of congress is male when only 49.2% of the population is.
We have a congress that does not reflect the population, doesn't do the will of the population, and is more concerned about image than their job. That is why the US lags behind the rest of the developed world. Congress is in the way.
4) We need a congress. Not only because the constitution requires it, but also because it would be chaos without one. But the people in congress are the issue. Yes, their party politics, selfish means and ends, image, greed, and avarice. They are in our way.
To use the Declaration
of Independence"
Congress has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for
the public good.
Congress has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, has utterly neglected to attend to them.
Congress has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
Congress has obstructed the Administration of Justice.
Congress has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
Congress has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
Congress has excited domestic insurrections amongst us.
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