What is congressional dysfunction?

[Figaro]

Congress, in this case, refers to the legislative branch of the US government. And it is, by far, the most powerful branch of the US government.

When people talk about congressional dysfunction they usually mean that Congress, despite its vast authority, seems paralyzed in the face of the nation's toughest problems. The paralysis usually stems from disagreements between the two parties, and is exacerbated by the unusual construction of the US Congress, which makes it possible for one party to control the House while the other controls (or at least exercises veto power) in the Senate. A secondary (and arguably related) problem people are sometimes referring to is the perception that the personal relationships between members of the two parties are angrier than they've been in the past

Thoughts?

 

[Moonglow]

And Congress is still having these problems after a single party dominates the control...

 

[pismoe]

good to see the anger and the supposed dysfunction , nothing gets done , probably a good deal for conservative taxpayers !!

 

[jwoodie]

Congress, in this case, refers to the legislative branch of the US government. And it is, by far, the most powerful branch of the US government.

In (Constitutional) theory, correct. In current practice, incorrect.

 

[quorthon]

In (Constitutional) theory, correct. In current practice, incorrect.

So what branch is more powerful?

Two-party system is an absurd of democracy but it makes people hope that something can be changed, even guys who call themselves anarchists sometimes can believe congressmen.

 

[dadsgm]

Obama came into office with an agenda to change America, to accomplish progressive and liberal ideas through big government. In order to accomplish this goal he needed like thinking followers as all of his department appointees have been, he needed Congress but he had Harry Reid instead. Obama made a deal with Reid to slow/shutter/cancel the nuclear waste disposal facility in Reids state in order to back Obama's agenda in the Senate; this meant stonewalling all Republican efforts and this continues today when he is in the minority. In this administration Obama is in charge, what he wants he gets, to hell with the Separation Of Powers and the Constitution except when it can be used to his advantage.

 

[Owen]

Obama came into office with an agenda to change America, to accomplish progressive and liberal ideas through big government. In order to accomplish this goal he needed like thinking followers as all of his department appointees have been, he needed Congress but he had Harry Reid instead. Obama made a deal with Reid to slow/shutter/cancel the nuclear waste disposal facility in Reids state in order to back Obama's agenda in the Senate; this meant stonewalling all Republican efforts and this continues today when he is in the minority. In this administration Obama is in charge, what he wants he gets, to hell with the Separation Of Powers and the Constitution except when it can be used to his advantage.

you made me imagine like he's a real thinktank of the govt

 

[longknife]

Our nation was designed to be limited and restricted by its very formation. No one branch is superior to the other.

In many ways, "dysfunction" is nothing more than the way the system SHOULD work. When hasty decisions are made WITHOUT discourse, we end up with travesties like Obamacare - or the second Iraq war.

 

[whitehall]

Umm, almost nobody except the minority party talks about "congressional dysfunction". Do people understand that every bill signed into law takes away a little bit of freedom? The Founding Fathers were well aware of the power of an unrestricted monarchy so they created the checks and balances (and political disagreement) inherent in government. Live with it and love it.