Have you ever read the list of references that mean exactly the opposite of what someone thinks?   For example:  “No one could have done better.”  What they mean is that “having no one at all would be better than this clown.”  Unfortunately, this applies to our current Congress and specifically the House of Representatives where Republicans have a majority.  What difference does it make if you have the majority if you are incapable of doing anything with it?

I for one am sick and tired of congressional hearings that accomplish nothing.  The typical hearing goes like this:

Each committee member gets about 3 minutes to ask questions.  All the Republicans try to ask loaded questions that the person testifying ignores.  Direct questions are seldom asked and never answered.  The next questioner is a Democrat, who gives a speech praising the Obama administration.

This is not working.  It is clear that both Republican and Democratic members are more worried about grand-standing than they are about asking questions and getting answers.   Why bother holding a hearing at all if there is no chance of getting any answers?

This problem could be fixed in about five minutes with the following rules.

1.  No one testifies before congress without being sworn in.   Why bother asking questions of someone who is under no obligation to tell the truth. (That includes Hillary Clinton)

2.  Each committee member gets 30 seconds to introduce themselves.  That way they can grand-stand and then shut up. 

3.  Both parties get together and select one person to ask the questions.  If they can’t agree on one person, they each get to choose one and split the time. 

4.  All questions must be questions about the facts.  No questions about how someone feels.  No gotcha questions.  No feel good questions.  If they can’t think of a good direct question, shut up. 

5.  If the person testifying refuses to answer questions or gives evasive answers, the time of the hearing is automatically extended.  No witness is allowed to leave that hearing room without either answering direct questions about the facts or pleading the fifth.

If congress did that we wouldn’t be wondering what about the following more than 15 months after the Benghazi attack:

We would know exactly who did or did not authorize extra security at the Benghazi mission.

We would know exactly who developed the erroneous talking points arrogantly spouted by Susan Rice on the Sunday talk shows following the attack. 

We would know why Ambassador Stevens was in Benghazi.

We don’t know any of these things just like we don’t know much about Fast & Furious or the IRS illegal targeting of conservatives.    Unless something changes there is zero chance we will learn the answers prior to the 2016 election.  Instead we will see more circus act congressional hearings that accomplish nothing.

If these questions deserve answers, than demand answers.  If they don’t deserve answers, then move on and investigate something else.  If Congress wants to hold people accountable it has the congressional authority to do exactly that.  The question is not what they can do.  It is whether or not they are ready, willing and able to do this.  So far, sadly, the answer is no.

No wonder President Obama is so willing to ignore congress.  Why would he be afraid of these guys?

Like I said, “nobody could do a better job.”  “A least nobody wouldn’t be pretending to be somebody.”

TDM