It's Time To Govern

If you thought that the buffoonery and ineptitude that characterized the 113th session of congress was over you’ve got another thought coming.

The 114th session of congress was sworn in Tuesday. During the House proceedings Louie Gohmert, Ted Yoho, and Daniel Webster joined six other unwinnable candidates nominated for Speaker; putting to rest any hope that the clown show was finally over. The theatrics orchestrated by the right, which was nothing more than an effort to publically embarrass Boehner, comes at a time when party unity is crucial. The pointless display merely fanned the flames of doubt among those who wonder if the party is actually capable of governing.

In the end Boehner survived the coup and was sworn in for his third term as Speaker. Boehner cried, bussed a reluctant Pelosi on the cheek and acknowledged his seldom seen wife seated in the gallery. Mrs. Boehner, sporting the same orange hue as her husband, forced a smile but otherwise seemed indifferent.

Immediately after the embarrassing display Boehner enacted some amount of revenge by removing Webster and fellow Florida Congressman Ted Nugent from their important committee assignments. If you’re going to cross the Speaker you better be sure you win.

As all this was going on in the House Vice President Biden was presiding over the swearing in ceremony in the Senate. America’s favorite uncle was in full Biden form, cracking jokes, ogling the females, mispronouncing names and spitting out his mint. “It’s getting late” he said as his mint inadvertently flew past the ear of a newly elected senator.

While all of this was entertaining as hell the real show starts in next few days.

Speaker Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have indicated that the first order of business will be to pass a ceremonial bill authorizing the construction of the Keystone Pipeline. The bill is considered “ceremonial” because the White House has already made it clear that it will veto the measure if it reaches the president’s desk.

The question I have is “Why?” I mean why is the president just sitting back with veto pen in hand waiting for Republicans to send him the bill? Why not get something for it?

Republicans are adamant about passing this bill. Their primary argument is that the pipeline will generate “42,000 good paying jobs.” JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! The White House argues that the project will only generate “2,000 part time jobs”…insufficient to offset the possible ecological damage to wetlands bisected by the pipeline.

So why not give the Republicans their pipeline and get something for it in return…like a massive jobs bill focused on repairing and replacing our deteriorating and dated infrastructure. JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!

Win, win!!! Republicans get their pipeline and the White House gets the jobs bill it has been lobbying for since the president took office. Our infrastructure FINALLY receives the attention necessary to take us into the next century and the American people get JOBS!

Yes there are ecological concerns. But those can be mitigated with proper oversight. You have to look at the big picture and COMPROMISE!

Boehner and McConnell are desperate to show the American people that they can in fact govern. The president is desperate to keep the country’s economic momentum moving forward…not to mention cementing his legacy.

Mr. President, don’t sit around with your veto pen at the ready. Give the Republicans what they want. Let them have their pipeline. But get something big in return.

The entertainment portion of this show is over. It’s time to govern.