THREE DISGRACES

Our government is dysfunctional. Especially Congress. I tell you nothing new. We are all aware.

 

From the multitudinous wrongdoings, I have selected three stories. Each is an example of the government's erroneous ways.

 

The first involves Major Nidal Hasan. The U.S. Army officer and psychiatrist who went berserk at Fort Hood in 2009. The Major was a Muslim.

 

Major Hasan for no reason and without provocation began shooting up the base. He killed 13 and wounded 30. Most U.S. Army soldiers.

 

As he was shooting, Major Hasan was shouting in Muslim, God is Great.

 

It is now 2013, four years later. Major Hasan is well and alive. He sits in jail awaiting a trial.

 

The disgrace.....Major Hasan is receiving full pay while he waits trial. $70,000 a year. So far, $278,000.

 

Two reasons are involved.

 

First, Major Hasan, who is also an American citizen, is innocent till proven guilty. Second, someone in government, whether Washington or the Army itself, has labeled the shooting workplace violence. Both situations legally mandate that Major Hasan continue to be paid.

 

There are three classifications involved when our soldiers are killed or wounded.  One is workplace violence. The other two require the incident be as a result of terrorism or combat. Whoever did the classification, decided to call it workplace violence.

 

Workplace violence carries negative affects beyond Major Hasan being paid while awaiting trial. The thirty wounded are not entitled to disability awards if their wounds warrant such. Nor are they entitled to Purple Hearts.

 

So Major Hasan sits in a cell doing nothing and gets paid $70,000 a year. Whereas, the injured are not entitled to disability benefits nor a Purple Heart.

 

All because someone high up classified the shooting as working place violence rather than one of the two other classifications.

 

Why? I am not sure the classification was an accident. It would be interesting to know who decided to go with the classification which assisted Major Hasan rather than one that would have helped those wounded. What behind the scene forces were at work?

 

The second situation involves Congress and the Affordable Care Act. The Act is popularly known as Obamacare. It has been law for approximately three years.

 

Republicans now control the House of Representatives. They keep trying to repeal Obamacare. They bring up the repeal vote with full knowledge that it will never see the light of day in the Democratic controlled Senate. And , if it did and was favorably passed, the President would never sign it into law.

 

Congress recently voted on repeal. Again. For the 37th time in three years. The same bill. With full knowledge it is going nowhere.

 

Perhaps a publicity stunt. Maybe to appease the far right. Could  be an attempt to convince the American people that they are protecting their interests by constantly beating a dead horse.

 

The scenario is outrageous for a number of reasons.

 

First, it is a waste of time and money. Once was enough. That is all it takes. There is a cost involved. Thus far, Congress has spent $1.5 million in conducting 37 votes. At a time when the United States is in desperate economic straits. The Republicans are the ones who shout cut, cut,cut, eliminate wasteful spending. They fail to do that which they preach.

 

I have an additional concern.

 

Thirty seven votes on the same thing where one would have sufficed.There are important social issues facing the United States. Like gun control, immigration, and tax reform. These issues are never brought to the floor for a vote.

 

Crazy.

 

The third disgrace involves the great American corporation Apple and its avoidance of $102 billion dollars in taxes. All perfectly proper. All legal. Off shore accounts were used.

 

Ireland is a glaring example. Apple has neither buildings nor employees in Ireland. It merely has a mailing address. Apple saves $12 billion using this gimmick.

 

All perfectly proper. All legal.

 

Apple's CEO recently appeared before a Congressional committee on the issue of tax avoidance. He was open and above board in his responses. His position a simple one. The law permits everything they do. Everything is within the law. They pay only taxes they are legally required to pay.

 

Apple's CEO is correct. Apple is without sin.

 

Who is the culprit? Simple. The Congress of the United States. Laws have been passed over the years granting big tax breaks to major corporations. Congress did the dirty deed and now is searching for a scapegoat.

 

There is none, except for themselves.

 

There are two ways we can get out of this tax avoidance situation. First, cut out all tax loopholes permitting this type activity. Second, pass a law lowering the corporate tax rate. We will lose no money. Probably take in more revenue. Without loopholes, corporate America will be paying taxes on ALL income earned. Such a scenario should provide more tax income than is being received now. It is a win win situation for corporate America and the United States.

 

I have pointed the finger at Congress and government in general. Deservedly so. Our elected representatives have become beholden to corporate America. They expect and rely on substantial contributions to their political war chests. They enjoy a trip here and there to some exotic place at corporate America's expense. Expensive dinners. And whatever else.

 

We should expect more from our elected representatives. We deserve more. Congress must dig in and do the right thing. Unfortunately, they have neither the courage nor desire to do so.