Colossal Waste of Time and Money

Leave it to the Federal Government to waste our money and it’s time.

The latest scam involves the United States Senate, and specifically, the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA). He will vote for the confirmation of Samuel A. Alito as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Taking out my crystal ball, I can state with some certainty that Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) will vote against the confirmation. So will Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Charles (Chuckie) Schumer (D-NY), and Russ Feingold (D-WI). Notice a pattern?

Failing a filibuster by Democrats in the Senate, Judge Alito will be confirmed. There are more Republicans in the Senate than Democrats. Unless some weak-kneed Republicans shift sides (as they have done on several recent key votes), Alito will receive a majority of the votes and will be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, the last nominee to be skewered in the complete waste of time and money that has become confirmation hearings.

Everybody knows going in what positions the Republicans will take. They also know which way the Democrats will vote. No amount of attempting to skewer a candidate will change any of that. Within the next few days, Ted, Chuckie, and Diane will all announce they’re unable to support Alito’s confirmation. We already know that. Why in the world did everybody spend so much time and taxpayer money over the last three days attempting to get the Judge to tell how he would rule in any given case?

It is grand-standing. The American taxpayer foots the bill so the not-so-loyal opposition can rant, protest, nit-pick, and posture for the special interest groups they represent in front of a national TV audience. And, because everybody knows which way they will vote, the process is absolutely without meaning. Nothing has been disclosed. Judge Alito did not announce his position on any substantive issue. Nobody’s mind was changed. Everybody will vote the way they always vote – along party lines.

What we have endured for these last few days has been a sham and a scam. It is truly a shame that it has cost so much of the taxpayers’ money to put on this mostly objectionable show. We ought to stop it.

The method needs to be changed. Once the appointment is announced, the Senate should be given one month to gather details, staffs read opinions, and Senators appear in sound bites to state their positions. Then, the appointment should stand before the Senate in a simple up or down vote. Majority wins. Full stop. Lots cheaper.

Of course, it won’t change. As long as there are opportunities for politicians to posture, they’ll strut. And, they’ll strut with additional arrogance if they can do it on our dime.
What a shame. What a sham. What a waste.