Fantasy Congress . .?
author: gwon
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The effectiveness of the US Congress IS a Fantasy.
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Fantasy Congress
I stumbled across this website last night. www.fantasycongress.com
At first, I was disgusted, and began my human-like judgement process. I thought to myself that this was just horrible, that we would "play" with something as precious as Congress in this manner. To liken our governmental process as a game?
But in a wonderful moment of clarity, it became clear to me how incredibly accurate this entire concept is!
First, this is actually a great way to get otherwise un-involved people, watching Congress and
play-participating. We do this with non-fiction movies, textbooks in comic book form, video games that teach reading, etc.
Second, I have spent much time at "Yesterday in Congress", and frankly, it can get a little boring
reading all that text. Most of the time, Congress is merely assigning days of celebration, approving Post Office name changes, and requesting awards. Our Congress IS a Fantasy of government.
Almost every member of Congress receives payouts from Corporations and Non-Profits alike. I believe we call it Lobbying. I am new to this political fray, so bash the heck out of me if I am wrong. How can lobbying be allowed at all? Lobbying confuses me.
I thought, from what little I know of US Government, that the indidivuals in Congress were elected by the people, and therefore, what the people wanted was what they were supposed to do. A Corporation is not a person! It is just an idea, a name on paper, a Fantasy, if you will allow. A Non-Profit is also a Corporation, just posing as one that does not actually create profit. Once again, Just an idea, a name on paper, a Fantasy.
So, really, maybe Fantasy Congress is the way to go, because Real Congress does not seem to accomplish anything. They just talk, and fiddle about with no real productive end in site. They say, "Tell us what you want", but they never respond or actually act on our wishes. They make promises, and give maybe just a little bit of effort. But really, it is a half-hearted effort to get what they really want, while keeping us marching on, believing that they actually care!
For example, this signing of a peace declaration by Blumenauer. What will this piece of paper actually accomplish to provide an actual global community based on peace? Additionally, let us speculate that an impeachment bill actually hits the house soon, due to pressure from the hardworking people I so dearly admire in this town. It is also, STILL, just a piece of paper that does not guarantee removal from office.
On September 25, 2007, Rep. Rohrabacher from California submitted H.R.219, a bill Expressing the sense of Congress that the Government of Iraq should schedule a referendum to determine whether or not the people of Iraq want the Armed Forces of the United States to be withdrawn from Iraq or to remain in Iraq until order is restored to the country. The actual text of the bill is not available yet, but what the hell? I thought the Iraq people have made it pretty clear that they do not want US Forces in their country. But Congress is still dinking around with pointless bills, to pat their constituents on the head, and say.."There you go..I did something to try to stop this".
When I have a date with Congress,  http://thomas.loc.gov/ , I see many declarations of peace, or urges for considerations of Liberty, Human Rights, and Equal Treatment for All. In utter irony, usually for other countries! I read the bills, and see beautiful language and rhetoric, but nothing in the verbage actually creates change. Bush is still in office. Blackwater is still in Iraq, and right here in the US. Gold Mines are tearing up Tribal Lands. Water being polluted on every continent. People continue to die every day, for money. Money that will eventually end up in the pockets of the already rich, with no clean air or clean water for anyone to enjoy.
I create budgets and financial reports for the Corporation I work for, and I am often asked, of the budgeted profit amount, "We want to see more here". I tell them, I can make that number higher, no problem, on paper. But YOU have to make it happen. I only provide the data, I cannot force the results to match your desires."
I liken this experience to our present day governmental process. We march, scream, sign petitions, flash our signs, like true CEO's, each of us in our own right. So they create the documents, fudge the numbers, submit considerations and recommendations for meetings, groups and boards, but create no actual change. They are a merely giving us sheets of lies, displayed across the smoke screen in the global conference room. Are we calling on the wrong people to create the change so badly needed? Just as my boss wants me, the report creator, to make the numbers a reality for him?
The effectiveness of the US Congress IS a Fantasy.
I have only been trying for a year. Some of you have been trying for decades. I don't believe in giving up. Is there a solution?
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