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subscribeWhy so much urgency in filling Obama’s seat?
posted: 01.13.09 at 11:00 PM
filed under: politics
Illinois politicians where whipped into a frenzy last month after Governor Rod Blagojevich’s (D-Shit’s Creek) arrest. In light of allegations that Blagojevich was attempted to sell the state’s vacant senate seat, they demanded swift action to fill the seat by any means necessary, preventing the governor from making an appointment.
The day Blagojevich was arrested, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ethanol) said, “The General Assembly should enact a law as quickly as possible calling for a special election.” Days later, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn (D-Pandering Populists) emphasized that Illinois “needs two senators” to address “important issues” in Washington.
While it is ultimately a moot point in light of the impending seating of Roland Burris (D-Hundred Acre Woods), I am curious – why the hurry? Illinois has been lacking in Senate representation for quite some time now.
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While President-elect Barack Obama (D-Hyde Park) campaigned across the country, he was frequently absent from his post in the legislature. In fact, he was absent for more than 64% of Senate votes in 2008. From April on, he missed nearly 83% of all votes.
I do not intend to take Obama to task on this matter. When a member of Congress runs for a higher office, they are bound to miss quite a few votes. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-Bill) missed nearly 52% of votes after April 1, and Senator John McCain (R-Maverick) missed a stunning number of votes in the same time period: he was absent more than 94% of the time.
It is appalling that citizens of Illinois, New York and Arizona were deprived representation for months while the individuals that they had elected to represent them in Congress travel around the country, campaigning for a higher office. The candidates occupy their time extolling the virtues of ethanol in Clinton, Iowa, or kissing babies over a cup of coffee in Keene, New Hampshire, while their colleagues consider important legislation back in D.C.
What makes this practice more offensive is the fact that senators continue to collect a paycheck while they neglect their duties. Taxpayers surrender a large bounty to these absent lawmakers, as each member of Congress “earned” an annual salary of $169,300 in 2008.
There was a time when senators were penalized for each day they were absent from the Senate. However, in 2005, the Senate nullified this law. This action was tucked away in an appropriations bill, and largely ignored by the media.
This is not a new problem, while running for President in 2004, Senator John Kerry (D-Heinz) missed 90% of votes. With the length of campaign season growing longer each four years, more of a candidate’s time will be occupied. This translates into more missed votes for members of Congress.
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There is a simple solution. When I finally buy the ear of a lawmaker or become King of America by means of a bloodless coup (whichever comes first), I will begin work on a new federal law to combat this problem. I shall refer to it as the “bokeen-Durbin-McCain Act,” since passage of such a law would require tripartisan support.
The bokeen-Durbin-McCain act stipulates that when a member of Congress declares their candidacy for a non-congressional office, they must temporarily step aside and relinquish their Congressional duties. The governor of their state must appoint an interim Senator or Representative to fill the vacancy. If the candidate loses the race or drops out, they reclaim to their Congressional seat. If the candidate wins the election, their seat is filled in accord with the state’s laws.
It is ironic that I am in favor of this legislation, in light of the current scandal surrounding the governor of my state. However, I believe that the bokeen-Durbin-McCain act ensures all Americans equal representation in Congress.
Given the choice, I’d rather be represented by a tainted Blagojevich appointee that no one at all.
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Haha @ “buy the ear.” Indeedy.
I agree with the bokeen-Durbin-McCain stipulations! It’s true that we spend forever without representation while our Senators campaign, and I think an interim is a great idea. My guess, however, is that both IL senators would be likely to vote the same way on most things, so what’s the big damn deal? I really don’t even know what the Congressional votes are about about 99% of the time, so personally it doesn’t make that much of a difference to me if there’s one or two. But you raise a very good point.
Char
01.16.09 01:33 AM