Congress May Do Something Good for Once

When it comes to Congress I usually think of the funny story from The Onion, entitled "Congress Approves $540 Million for Evil" (which you used to be able to read on their web site without having to register with them like your some sort of god damn sex offender). From using taxpayer money to buy people politically correct drugs to using taxpayer money to incarcerate people who use politically incorrect drugs, Republican control of Congress and the White House has been an absolute disaster for liberty. I can’t turn on the news without wanting to puke all over Tom Delay like Keanu Reeves on a bender. I’m a little cheered up today, however, by two stories in Congressional Quarterly (sorry, subscription required.)

When members of Congress get back to DC in September, the House Agriculture Committee will consider a bill (H.R. 3405) by Texas Republican Henry Bonilla that would deny federal economic development money to cities (like New London, Conn.) that use eminent domain to seize private property for the benefit of rich developers. That's right, Congress is going to take your money and use it to bribe your town into not taking your property. Nice! If enacted, the bill could force many cities to ban such legalized robbery. In fact, many states are already moving to ban such seizures even without Congress using taxpayer dollars as a carrot.

Supporters of social security reform are also optimistic that Congress will finally take up the issue this fall.

“I think September could be a good month for us,” said Derrick Max, executive director of two business coalitions promoting individual accounts…

Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., is expected to put the finishing touches on what he calls a retirement bill shortly after Congress reconvenes. House leaders, once they resolve questions about the composition of the bill, should have plenty of time to slate it for floor action early in the fall…

Republicans say momentum is on their side. “Winning is addictive,” said Ron Bonjean, a spokesman for House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.

Exicted? Don't be. Congress is just yanking your chain. Prohibit federal money from going to states that abuse their eminent domain powers? Privatize social security? Do you really think the Republican Congress is going to do either? Still, like Charlie Brown I can't help but try to kick the football whenever Lucy holds it out. Sure she's yanked it away at the last minute and watched me fall on my ass in the past; but, maybe this time it will be different.