Is it really possible to make Congress work?

These days it seems that a new "movement" (grass roots and otherwise) pops up a few times a year. The Tea Party rose up a few years ago and have (for the most part anyways) given us the high level of congressional dysfunction we see in DC today. Other "movements" like the Coffee Party and Occupy Wall Street have arisen with more moderate and left leaning messages - if there is really a message in such "movements".

Today I once again became aware of the No Labels "movement". I like some of their ideas but am doubtful that they will go anywhere. Here are a few of them that supposedly will "Make Congress Work":

• No Budget, No Pay
  If Congress can't make spending and budget decisions on time, they shouldn't get paid on time either.
• Fix the Filibuster
  Require real (not virtual) filibusters, end filibusters on "Motions to Proceed" and allow more issues to be debated and voted on
• Empower the Sensible Majority
  If a bipartisan majority wants to get something done, they shouldn't be held back by party leaders who prefer to organize Congress into warring clans.
• Make Members Come to Work
  Most Americans put in a five-day workweek. So should Congress.
• Bipartisan Leadership Committee
  Republican and Democratic leaders have allowed virtually every meeting to turn into a partisan pep rally.

There are twelve of these in all. I suggest that you check them out at the No Labels website.

Not sure what you think but I am appalled by the dysfunction in Congress. Thinking about how they profit from insider trading information and lobbyist money makes me ill. Looking at this list reminds me of how pitiful these slackers really are. I mean really! They need new rules to tell them to work five days? Give me a break!

I do not think that it is possible to make these fools work. The system is broken. What do you think?

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