Hillbilly version: This is where I would site the person who told me this story if only I could remember who it was. Who can think this early in the morning. It’s barely 11:42 am. There are no deadlines in retirement. Even vacations have deadlines. It is the Agenda. You are given an itinerary. Could someone give the Congress an itinerary. This funding thing keeps recurring. Will it never end? And it never changes. In the last week, at the last moment, after the deals are made, a Continuing Resolution will be passed. The CR will be slightly in favor of the well off. AGAIN?

Deadlines are to be feared. If we don’t make the deadline, the country will shut down, the world will suffer economic chaos,etc, etc, etc. and I want get paid. Real fear, I want get paid. I want to get paid! That’s motivation. Never, slight exaggeration, do the politicians say we are going make a yearly budget. A balanced budget to provide stability and certainty within the country and in our dealings with the world. Congress has to keep the country running. Running.

Real world example. What did you enjoy the most about the Alaskan cruise? You get the best stories if you ask for them. Forget the flu which is a real possibility when you confine large groups in a small area. “This may seem a little strange but I think the dog sled ride… In the summer… Doesn’t matter, they put wheels on the sled. You pull up. This is part of the tour. Your ride is provided. You get off the bus and the level of noise is unreal. The dogs are howling. The dogs Know. The tourists have arrived and we the dogs are going for a run. We will pull things (ie the tourist) around. This is exciting. We are going to have fun. The dogs live to pull things. This is great. Running around. Running. Dogs love to run and pull”.

My friend is caught in the moment, you can see it in the expression on her face. She is glowing. Almost made me want to experience a dog sled run. My friend went thousands of miles into an area that few people have ever seen, seven of ten of the tallest mountains in the United States, the vastness of mother nature and she is most excited about the dog sled ride.

But, my mind jumped to the Congress. There is a deadline to keep the country running. Just like the dogs, Congress is the center of attention. There is a deadline. And like the Dogs, Congressional personnel just want to be running. They line up, they howl… But unlike the dogs, Congressional personnel are not content. They point at the others and bitch because they are not the lead dog. If you are not the lead dog, it all smells the same. More dog shit in your face.

I, sincerely, want to apologize for comparing Congressional personnel to dogs hitched in a line for the sole purpose of providing entertainment to the tourist. It is so unfair to the dogs.

Congress is a case of the tail wagging the dog. Congress, the pack, is following the lead dog. But dogs are happy to follow the direction the lead dog. The dogs are just playing. The dogs love to run. And the tourist is on vacation. It is an experience. Stories to share with their friends back home. It is fun, just fun. The Congress’s duty is FUNdamental. Through the budget, direction is provided. Priorities are established. Those things which we value are provided for. It is more than fun.

Not once did my friend mention the musher (the person commanding the lead dog). In this case it was a male but it could be a female. Their role was not mentioned? Basically the musher is invisible. My question is not about the authority of the Congress to set the budget. That authority is in the rule book. If those making the budget wish to consult with the president, they can. But they do not have to consult with the president as they spend the damn money. If he/she doesn’t like their plan, then she/he can veto the budget. Veto the damn thing. This is also in the rule book. The veto is part of the separation of powers. In the play book. The president has an opinion and a option which if not exercised is then required to follow the direction of the Congress. Not the unseen or unidentified mushers. Read the rules and follow them. Do your job or go home. My question is name the musher? Can you identify the musher?

My money is on the CR again. There is little desire to be the lead dog and do the assigned job of making the budget. And even less desire to stand up (no Balls) and enforce the rules that they pass. This problem is a recurring problem. Don’t blame the lead dog, he is following the direction of the unseen musher in the back. The lead dog is hitched in the line similar to the pack. Maybe the dogshit is not quite as strong in front but he does not decide where he is going. The route is predetermined by the person in control.