So, the Speaker of the House - essentially the most powerful and important member of either house of Congress - failed to pass a CR that would keep the government functioning. Basically, he tried to accommodate his right wing, but alienated all but seven or so Democrats (I'm guessing Schuler, Cooper, Marshall...). The Teatards would not vote for any spending ever under any circumstances. The Democrats would not vote for a bill that paid for disaster relief by gutting a jobs program.
If this was a Parliamentary system - or even a semi-Presidential system - Boehner's ineptitude would have triggered no confidence and prompted a call for elections. When I thought of that, it occurred to me that maybe THAT is the Constitutional change needed to address the dysfunction of the legislative branch.
Votes of no confidence.
Not for the President (who would give the Congress that much power?), but for the Congress as a whole. This might work to thwart the nihilistic actions of the Tea Party. Because even if Democrats win the House back (I'm guessing 50/50 chance of that right now), there will come a day when we will again have to deal with this tricorner hat wearing Teatards.
Presumably this would work better in the House than the Senate, since the staggering of Senate seats is presumed to be a "big deal" not to be altered for light or transient causes.
But at the moment, we need to hold the House more accountable, and this would help.
It would also mean a four week campaign season, fewer ads and less fundraising. So it's a win all around.
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