Feel It Buster

From time to time there is discussion about ending the filibuster, a procedure in which a member of the legislature prolongs debate in order to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.  There is a long history of its use.  Eliminating the filibuster has been in the news repeatedly the last three presidential terms, but no one has been able to obtain enough votes to end the use of the tactic. So, it continues.  Basically, our elected officials talk us to death and nothing gets done.

Currently, Trump is demanding the Senate eliminate the legislative filibuster because of the unwillingness among Democrats and some Republicans to accept the Republican funding bill (also known as The One Big Beautiful Bill Act or OBBBA) and end the current shutdown that has led to, among other things, the absence of TSA workers at airports in the United States.

According to a PBS News report, the filibuster, at its best, “encourages compromise and deal making.”

Well, America, have I got a deal for you!  I call it the Feel-It-Buster!  And it is sure to drain the swamp like never before and get America working for the people again.  Here are a few provisions:

• The average American salary is $54,000.00.  Let’s start there.  If we cut the average salary of our elected officials from $174,000.00 to $54,000.00 that would be a huge savings and a chance for our elected officials to appreciate how the rest of us live.  Now that they want to ask 15 and 16 year-olds to get after-school jobs, I don’t think it is too much to ask that they take on a little part-time job when not on the house floor if they want any lifestyle “extras” like healthcare or groceries.                                               
• While the rest of America is struggling to find and maintain housing, OBBBA calls for $45 billion for detention centers.  Henceforth, when our elected officials are in Washington D.C. they will be housed at a detention center.  No more Georgetown townhouses and yachts in the harbor.  With the previously described cut in salary, they should be grateful to be safely off the streets at night.

 

• If we want to save Social Security and make it work and last, let’s cut out the Federal Retirement Program.  All of our elected officials will now contribute to and rely on Social Security for their older age.

• The rest of us have to get to work on our own, let’s cut out that travel allocation.  And maybe if we cut their security details, they might behave better and speak more thoughtfully and kindly to and about others.

•  Is it too much to ask that they get up to speed with technology so that they don’t need office staff?  And how about we do away with office supplies and postage stamps?  Don’t they have smart phones and computers?

• Now that we have returned to the Dark Ages in science and medicine, they won’t be needing that House Doctor.  Adios Attending Physician of the United States Congress! And while we are addressing health care, let’s save a fortune by cutting their Cadillac health care benefits. Let them go on the Health Care Marketplace and get their own insurance.

 

• With the Speaker of the House sending folks home so frequently, each member will be required to volunteer some of that spare time to help out the TSA agents until a budget is approved and folks are back to work.

 

• And finally, since our elected officials have so much time to rub shoulders with the rich and powerful, to network and master insider trading, they should be able to find another job easily if they don’t like these new terms and conditions.

 
If the majority of the American people are at risk of becoming cave dwelling, food scrounging nomads who can’t afford gas much less wheels, at risk of dying from preventable diseases with no health care, then I agree, we should have a long talk on the Senate floor. 

Bring on the Feel-It-Buster!

Yabba-dabba-doo!