DYSFUNCTIONAL CONGRESS: CAN THE MARRIAGE BE SAVED?

By Adeyemi0670 on July 16, 2014 • ( 0 )

BY ADEYEMI OSHUNRINADE

July 16, 2014

Thinking about Washington, the picture that comes to mind is that of a marriage headed towards divorce, the question on everyone’ mind is, can the marriage be saved? To say the U.S. Congress is dysfunctional is a understatement. The fact is the Grand Old Party and its liberal counterpart, just can’t get along. It is cat and mouse on every Bill introduced in the House and if asked, majority of Americans believe Congress is at its lowest in decades and no one has a clue where the relationship is heading.

Election of Obama in 2008 marked the beginning of Congress at loggerheads. From choosing cabinet members to major issues on unemployment, immigration, healthcare and foreign policy, Democrats and Republican members of Congress never seemed to agree. Every issue necessary for moving the nation forward must be tested and scrutinized in the court of partisan politics.

Republicans are afraid that by allowing major Bills to pass, will give the Democratic Party enough leverage to retake the White House in 2016. Democrats on the other hand, want to be seen as the party that cleared up the mess made by previous administration of George Bush, a view that may appeal to the electorate and tilt balance of power towards the liberal wing of Congress in the mid-term election.

What should be constructive criticism has become personal attacks, as the war in Congress continue to spiral towards chaos. Sarah Palin want the President impeached over his immigration and foreign policies, Former Vice President Dick Cheney, called him the “worst President” in the nation’s history and opinion polls powered by the Republican Party, ranked Obama among what they called “worst American leaders,” like Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush. Amidst the commotion, Speaker of the House John Boehner is threatening to sue Obama for his use of Executive Power.

This week the Attorney General Eric Holder after enduring five years of harsh criticism, released a statement that most of the oppositions to him and the President was fueled by racism by some in the Republican wing, who still can’t comprehend the nation has a black President and a black Attorney General. Though, some in the GOP are quick to call such statement reprehensible, it does not dispute the hatred and animosity in Congress that continues to drive American politics, making Congress inactive on issues of interest to the people.

The American model of democracy is taking a nosedive to becoming a dysfunctional system, where political affiliation and party principle, prevails over compelling interests of the electorate. Every failed marriage must end one way or the other, but the question on people’ mind is whether the likes of Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney, the forces steering the latest opposition in Congress, have the criteria and credibility to decide the path that is right for America, after outcome of the last eight years and a failed Vice Presidential bid.

Congress must get its acts together to satisfy expectation of the American people. Enough of the ramblings and unconstructive criticisms; the electorates demand that Congress work together and not fight each other over disagreement on party principles. The Constitution demands that Congress work with the President to reach the end in the best interests of the American people. Unwarranted disagreement over immigration, healthcare, foreign policy and more is nowhere near the envisioned end.

Adeyemi Oshunrinade [E. JD] is the author of ‘Wills Law and Contests,’ ‘Constitutional Law-First Amendment’ and ‘SAVING LOVE’ available at http://www.amazon.com/author/adeyemioshunrinade. Follow on Twitter @san0670.