Here's how CONGRESS can do its JOB vs. *ush

[appal_jack]

I'm tired of hearing the very narrow debate between a Congressional vote on troop levels (a. la Senator Kennedy - an admirable man who has broadened the debate at least to this level...) vs. pResident as Commander in Chief can do whateverthefuck he wants. It's time for Congress to REALLY exercise its power of the purse.

The fact is that the Pentagon already has $$$ from the most recent Congressional appropriations, so Congress probably has the LEAST power over military matters at present. Plus, the Democratic leadership is still (perhaps justifiably) gun-shy about cutting the military in any way, shape, or form during action in Iraq.

So I believe that Congressional opposition must instead employ its Power of the Purse in matters that are dear to *resident Shrub, but outside the military realm. I would recommend that the People's House move the battle of whether troops should be "Surged" to ALL NON-military budgetary matters. Congress should ZERO OUT the whitehouse communications budget, so that Shrubya cannot make any more inane speeches, at least until he shows a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue and compromise on issues of substance. Congress should ZERO OUT the Office of Faith Based Initiatives, until Shrubya shows some faith in our Constitutional system of checks and balances. Congress should ZERO OUT the branches of the Forest Service and BLM that manage timber sales and oil & gas drilling leases until Shrubya shows a willingness to support sustainable energies in the US with similar vigor as the Iraqi conquest.

A few such ZERO-ing OUT of such budgets will get *ush's notice, without any of the negative consequences that cutting anything near the military would bring.

Thoughts & counter-arguments welcome,
-app

[The Magistrate]

1. An Excellent Idea, Sir

It is exactly this sort blackmail by which the old English Parliament established the force of its power of the purse against real monarchs.

You have struck on the right and winning course!

[muntrv]

2. Also zero out contracts to helliburton, bechtel, and the rest of their ilk.

[appal_jack]

5. thanks!

Given encouraging feedback such as yours, I will attempt to spread this meme further. I would greatly appreciate your help, as well as the added voices of any other DU'ers who agree...

together we can take back this country!

-app

[eleny]

3. I like that

No travel paid for. No trips on the big plane for W or Cheney. Strip them of budgets for so many staffers. Secret Service protection - okay, we must always provide this. But strip down other functions. In other words - make him sacrifice.

[appal_jack]

7. yeah!

I particularly like the idea of ZERO-ing OUT the budget for the plane. No more junkets on the taxpayer dime for the pResident to continuously campaign at events where all but ardent-kool-aid-drinking-supporters are excluded. Let Shrubya pay out of his own pocket when he wants to travel for personal reasons, just like the rest of us do!

-app

[mzmolly]

4. Jonathan Turley touched on this subject on Olbermann this evening.

Democrats need to consult with him, he is brilliant in laying out the historical foundation for conditional funding. Republicans did it in Somalia, and we did so as a nation, as far back as the Civil War.

[appal_jack]

6. yes!

Keith & MSNBC are now, and have been one of my main my info sources this evening (behind DU of course).

Right now Joe-dead-chick-Scarborough is speaking to how hard it is to challenge a C-in-C during a time of war. But actually it's time to do an end-run around this argument. Congress will give the troops all requested funds, but Bush can hatch his future plans by candlelight, 'cuz We the People are tired of enabling little lord pissypants' tirades. So, no, the Whitehouse electric bill won't be paid this month, bitch.

-app

[mzmolly]

8. Welcome to DU app_farmer-rb.

:hi:

Olbermann is a great place to tune in for info, and Joe is doing a great job presenting many sides as well. I don't agree with Scarryborough on many things, but I feel he's one of the "FEW" honest Republicans.