Congress 'approval' rating well-deserved

The U.S. House proved again why it is, indeed, the "junior" Congress.

They spent the better part of a week working on a bailout bill, going over wish lists, working with the administration and the Senate, forcing issues on, then off, the bargaining table (like free taxpayer money to ACORN). In short, doing all the things adult statesmen are supposed to do. As always, they kept the press well-informed as to their own personal heroics in the matter and the failings of the other sides of the respective aisles.

In one of the most blatantly partisan movements in recent House history, M'lady Pelosi, sycophants at her feet, literally ran to the microphones to scathe the minority party for all of their perceived wrongs. Unfortunately, in her zeal to affix blame before ensuring responsibility, she forgot to bring 217 of her friends with her. So, when it mattered most, when responsibility became a reality, the junior Congress voted "no" after they said they were going to vote "yes" on the bailout. So, to be clear, first they were for it, and then they were against it. Sound familiar? The result was a seriously confused financial market and yet another 7 percent drop in the wealth of 401(k)s, pensions, and IRAs across the land. To be clear, this is a Main Street issue. I seriously doubt there is a full-time worker or family in America who was not adversely affected by this epic flip-flop.

But wait. The Senate, looking down from Mount Washington, was not amused. So, in an uncharacteristic kinetic burst they quickly overrode historic procedure and, skipping the House, passed the bailout bill.

How did they do it? Why, with a tip, of course. The silly House had created a $700 billion bill and forgotten to tip those who made it all possible. So they added an extra 15 percent ($100 billion) to the bill.

The moral? Congress gets its 10 percent approval rating the old fashioned way - they earn it.

Bob Swininoga

Naperville