We Need Thinkers in Congress...Not More Sycophants and Fools

We desperately need to start electing intelligent people to Congress...personally I think a great start would be to outlaw political parties, but I am sure that unfortunately the 'right of association' clause in the Constitution protects such gatherings of idiots.  But we could still make them a lot less influential.

Actually this thought line first formed when I ruefully contemplated the results of the last election....not a single individual from any state that I would definitely and proudly refer to as a "thinker" was elected.  This wasn't actually surprising, but depressing nonetheless. 

I found myself thinking that we really need a "vote of confidence" provision (in the US) in our election process.  Basically, if a majority of the voters vote "no confidence" in the current Congress (as a whole body -- no special consideration for the Senator who kissed your baby) then all 535 members of Congress are instantly unemployed, and forbidden from running again for a national office for....lets say two election cycles. This would suddenly make winning an election into something other than a platform from which to start garnering favors and money for the next election, and might actually reduce the influence of lobbyists in the bargain.

When the number of opportunities that have been blown by politicians starting in the 90s but particularly in the opening decade of this century are examined...you really wonder if there isn't a 'cone of stupidity' over Washington DC.  Take just one example...on September 11, 2001 this country was attacked in a particularly cowardly manner that very nearly met bin Laden's stated objective of ruining the US financially...particularly considering the cost and complete ineffectiveness of "George's wars'. 

One much more effective thing that could have made a difference:  in September of 2011, the price of a gallon of gas was hovering just slightly over $2.00 per gallon -- a ridiculously unrealistic price given the true costs but that is for another time.  If George II had immediately gotten his cronies in Congress to impose a $1.00 per gallon gas tax, it would have forced a decline in consumption, and if the tax proceeds had been dedicated to alternative fuels research and production and independence from imports, it would have struck a more meaningful blow against the oil-kingdoms (particularly Saudi Arabia) that funded 9/11 than the very ineffective and costly wars George waged instead.  However, that requires creative forward thinking.....

Tom Friedman has weighed in with a similar lament about our current-day situation concerning the US debt which was largely run up during the fruitless "George Crusades".