Just let the federal shutdown continue!

Perhaps it will be over by the time you read this article; but, then again maybe not. The federal government might still be in a “semi-functioning mode” with some agencies shut down and others only partially functioning OK. I know. That might be considered the normal state of operation, but I think you know what I mean.

Though the impasse in Washington and the shutdown of many government agencies deemed non-essential is painted in all seriousness by those attempting to achieve political gains for one cause or another, it is in many ways a joke. Agencies and services shut down - or for which a shut down is threatened - seem to be selected so as to touch the most people and cause the greatest ire against the parties alleged to be the cause of the whole mess It’s become a political circus to achieve political gains and a laughingstock to the people.

The sham of the whole thing is revealed when some agencies which have “shut down” still have enough manpower at work to place chains, signs and barriers to keep people out of public property and irritate them. Howcan the federal government lock the people off of land the people own? Perhaps private citizens could organize and volunteer to operate federal lands and parks while the government employees are on furlough. They might do a better job!

I do have some suggestions to remedy this whole Washington mess.

Let the partial shut down continue permanently with essential services being those designated by the U.S. Constitution. Those the Constitution reserves for the states and the people should be taken back by the people and their respective states. That alone would solve a lot of our problems. Since the federal government can’t function and do the things it has usurped the power to do, let’s take over those responsibilities at the state and local levels. With the exception of military bases necessary for national security and the federal courts, the states should take possession of all federal lands, parks and highways within their borders and operate them for the benefit of the people of the respective states.

And, since funding and the mismanagement of funds is a big part of thewhole mess, the Internal Revenue Service should be shut down and all taxes currently collected by the federal government should go to the states - after all, the Constitution does prohibit the federal government from directly taxing the people. The states could then submit their fair share of payments to the federal government for the federal government to fulfi ll its constitutionally-assigned duties and use the rest for duties the people assign to their respective states.

This may sound shocking to many, but think about it. Isn’t this what the forefathers originally gave us when they adopted our Constitution and Bill of Rights? Would this solve all our woes? Probably not. But at least it would bring the management of our affairs closer to home where it would be easier to hold our government officials accountable for their actions.

And, lest I leave you on a sad note and with no good reason to smile over this laughingstock for the rest of the day, I’ll summarize for you my political views in regard to our current overgrown and bloated federal government in the words of a polka - yes, you read right, a polka - “I don’t want her, you can have her, she’s too fat for me!”

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected].

News, Pages 4 on 10/09/2013