About that committee.... -- WASHINGTON BOARD

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Date Posted: 19:04:37 02/24/02 Sun
Author: Donk
Author Host/IP: 117.indianapolis-24rh15rt.in.dial-access.att.net / 12.85.14.117
Subject: About that committee....

As some might recall, a question during the Clinton - Starr fiasco was whether or not Congress was eroding the checks and balances built into our system. Specifically, any arm of Congress that can presume power over the executive branch seems a clear threat to those safeguards.

However, managing the country by executive order is also a dangerous way to go and while the Republicans were quick to withdraw some of Clinton's orders, they weren't quick to change the practice. I don't remember much legislation by fiat until Reagan, but I'm no fan of history.

So, when the House Committee for Oversight and reform took on new and greater powers, I was concerned. We used to deal with that committee in ad hoc ways to justify expenditures, which was its only real function for years.

Then, along came the contract on America and the Committee was used to inact changes and its name was "...changed to reflect the Republican view that the Federal Government needs to be reformed."

Hmmm. So, the republicans installed a powerful committee to introduce legislation to a republican dominated Congress and was stymied only by a democratic president. No wonder they wanted him out.

So, the plan moves ahead with an engineered election and some luck, but then the republicans lose the Senate by a small margin, so the Senate is all that stands between the republicans and another shot at total domination of the political process.

Time to pay more attention.

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Halo, or coattail effect, I guess; -- Grumpy�, 22:02:03 02/24/02 Sun