Congress
Related: About this forumA case against the Congress of the Unites States of America
Last edited Tue Feb 23, 2021, 11:47 AM - Edit history (3)
This article is organized according to the following four headings:
1) The legality of our current Congress
2) The fact that Political Parties are a large part of the problem
3) A few reasons why our current congressional make up is useless
4) Redress of grievances
1) "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. (The last part added by the Judiciary Act of 1789)"
That is the legally binding oath all members of Congress (both chambers) make when starting their term. In this oath, they swear to the Constitution. Not to the party, lobbyist, self-interest, current or former president. By upholding and defending any of the previously mentioned, they are violating their oath of office. Said constitution that they swear an oath to, describes their job as representation of the people, legislation while representing the people, constituency service (helping continuance solve problems), education, oversight. To do anything else would be to advocate the overthrow of our constitutional form of government. So by doing the bidding of the party, lobbyist, self-interest, current or former president, they are changing our constitutional form of government. In fact, 5 U.S.C. 7311 makes it a federal criminal offense (and a violation of oath of office). 18 U.S.C. 1918 provides penalties for violation of oath office described in 5 U.S.C. 7311, which include: (1) removal from office and (2) confinement or a fine.
Today, we have a congress that votes party line, does the bidding of whatever lobbyist pays them, views their own re-election/future office election as priority, or (as the GOP have shown) does the bidding of another branch of government (or individual). All of which change our Constitutional form of government, making Congress guilty of the federal crime specified. Because part of the punishment of said crime is removal from office, the majority of congress (especially the GOP) are there illegally. They have no legal right to be there.
2) "However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion." - George Washington.
"Let me warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party." - George Washington, Farewell Address, 19 September 1796.
"There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution." - John Adams, Letter to Jonathan Jackson, 2 October 1780. In Charles Francis Adams (ed.), The Works of John Adams, Vol. 9, Boston, 1854, pp. 510-11.
"We are attempting, by this Constitution, to abolish factions, and to unite all parties for the general welfare." - Alexander Hamilton, Debates in the Convention of the State of New York on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, Tuesday, 25 June 1788. In Henry Cabot Lodge, ed., The Works of Alexander Hamilton (Federal Edition), Vol. 2, New York, 1904, p. 57.
"Party knows no impulse but spirit, no prize but victory. It is blind to truth, and hardened against conviction. It seeks to justify error by perseverance, and denies to its own mind the operation of its own judgment. A man under the tyranny of party spirit is the greatest slave upon the earth, for none but himself can deprive him of the freedom of thought." -Thomas Paine, The Opposers of the Bank, 1787.
The founders of this nation warned us against political parties. They knew that what has happened would happen.
On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The first political party appeared in 1789. That means our constitution was not meant to work with or for parties. That is why our government doesn't work. That is why the USA is far behind the rest of the world. All because Congress would rather play party politics, one-upsmanship, or kowtow to people other than those to whom they should. It's also why no impeachment has ever resulted in removal from office. Congress put party politics over the good of the nation (again, changing our constitutional form of government).
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.(By playing party/lobbyist/self-interest politics)
Congress has forbidden his Governors (of the states) 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. (over stepping in state affairs, like this most recent election, for example)
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. (Implementing immigration and refugee policies based on fear and ego instead of thought and humanity)
Congress has obstructed the Administration of Justice. (Both Trump impeachments, conducting investigations into falsehoods in an attempt to simply drum up voter approval)
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: (the GOP essentially allowing foreign interference in our affairs and elections, colluding with foreign agents to influence our elections, conducting business with foreign lobbyists
)
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: (They pass spending bill after spending bill with no concern of our debt/deficit and if the people actually want what they are proposing)
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: (playing semantics, ignoring the people, and changing/removing/adding laws because it fits with the party agenda)
Congress has excited domestic insurrections amongst us. (Jan. 6 2021
)
In every stage of these Oppressions We have petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. (The people write to congress, call, attend the sparse town halls that happen, and have been ignored)
A Congress whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. (Because of everything this piece says)
They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. (They care nothing for the people, this nation, our laws, or our constitution)
The members of congress, are the problem. They ignore the will of the people (unless its an election year), you spout platitudes, promises they never intended on keeping (How many times have they promised term limits and have never lifted a finger to make it happen?), play semantics with our founding documents and put themselves/party over the nation. They are illegitimate. False. A fraud upon the American people. A burden, hindrance, weight, and obstacle. Consider this a petition of redress of grievances from an actual patriot of the United States.
To cut off any victim playing by congress, I have at no point made any threats in any way, shape or form. I have simply called them out for what they are.
https://www.opednews.com/articles/A-case-against-the-Congres-by-Franz-Wohlgemuth-Congress_Congress-Democrats_Congress-Failed-Oversight-Democracy_Congress-House-Legislation-210218-656.html