Politicians, Bureaucrats And The Fine Art Of Cooking Frogs
By William Bailey (07/18/03)
For a number of decades, politicians (of whatever party persuasion), and bureaucrats have become “Master Chefs” in the fine art of cooking frogs. The problem, my fellow and sister Americans, is that “We the People” have been, and are, the frogs.
For those who are not familiar with the proper method of cooking frogs, here it is.
You start with the frog in tepid, lukewarm water . . . you slowly and gradually increase the heat until the water reaches a boil . . . voila . . . the frog is cooked. If you place the frog in a pot of boiling water, the frog will make a quick exit. But, in the tepid/lukewarm water, the frog feels good and does not notice that the temperature of the water is increasing.
Those in power at all levels of government have been employing this approach in their daily activities of governing. But, none with greater effect on “We the People” than those in power at the Federal level.
I continue to believe that the Founders of this nation had great vision when they drew up the “road-map” to form and guide this Republic. They knew what they were doing. They could see the dangers of an ever-growing, centralized and omni-powerful Federal government. That’s why the Constitution provides for just the opposite.
In case you haven’t been watching over the past few years, consider the following. Entitlement programs . . . these are the programs created by law and signed into existence by the President . . . are mandatory insofar as funding is concerned. That is until, and unless, the law is either repealed or amended. Guess what’s been happening to the level of funding for entitlement programs ?
According to the Congressional Budget Office (supposed to be a non-partisan agency) the percentage of the Federal budget consumed by these mandatory programs was: 32% in 1962; 37% in 1970; 47% in 1986; 51.8% in 1995; 57% in 1998; 58.2% in 2003; and is estimated to reach 73% by 2009. Do you feel the water getting warmer ?
Compassion is one thing, but the enacting and funding of entitlement programs simply because some Senator or Representative thinks it would be a good idea (and to get votes) is absolutely preposterous. But, it happens all the time.
Just yesterday (7/16/03) the U.S. Senate had under debate the Department of Defense appropriation bill. During the course of that debate, it was pointed out that “add-ons” (these are things that some Senator convinced the Appropriations Chairman to add into the bill) ran into the billions of dollars. Now, you must remember that, in the Senate (unless otherwise ordered), amendments are not required to have “diddledy” to do with the main thrust of the bill. Among some of the “add-ons” identified . . . $1million to control the brown tree snake in Hawaii; $2 million to renovate a hanger at an Air Force base that has been closed since 1995; $9million to purchase special software (purpose not identified). These are just three of a long list. As Senator Everett Dirksen once pointed out . . . “a million here, a million there and pretty soon you’re talking real money”. Is the water getting just a little warmer ?
And, unfortunately, there are those politicians and bureaucrats who have decided that the Constitution needs to be changed without following the procedure for amendment as specified in that document. And, everybody is probably familiar with one of the most flagrant examples of this. Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 clearly points out how treaties and the nominees of the President are to be treated in the Senate. It’s called the “Advise and Consent” function of the Senate. Nowhere in this Article (nor anywhere else in the Constitution for that matter) do I find any authorization for a Committee of the Senate to either “hold” or vote down one nominated by the President. The only body authorized to do that is the full Senate. At the present time, two of the President’s judicial nominees languish on the floor of the Senate caught in a filibuster that’s not a filibuster. It doesn’t matter how you feel about whether these nominees should be confirmed. Right is right, fair is fair, and the Constitution is the Constitution. To the Majority Leader I would say, stop the game playing, if they want to filibuster, let ‘em filibuster, but require them to filibuster 24/7 and send the Sergeant at Arms out to “round-up” those Senators who are not within hearing distance of the call to vote. The President and “We the People” deserve a vote, up or down. It’s time for a replay of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” in “real time”. Water’s getting a little warmer, huh ?
We have commented previously on how each of the three branches of government have gotten to the point of such intrusion on the areas of the other that it’s hard to know just how many branches we have. But, one thing is clear . . we aren’t following the Constitution.
I don’t know about you . . . but I’m tired of the increasing temperature of the water. I’m ready for politicians who are statesmen and bureaucrats who understand their function is to serve. I’m ready for those in government to understand that government is based on the consent of the governed and not on the ability of politicians and bureaucrats to implement their own agenda . . . whatever that might be.
(Printer friendly version) Email: William Bailey
