<html><head></head><body><div class="ydp9e67da3byahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Thanks, Randy. A further example.</div><div><br></div><div class="ydp9e67da3bsignature"><div style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><a href="http://partnersinparticipation.com/james-wiegel/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Wiegel </a> <br><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;" dir="ltr" class="ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"> </p><div> <span><p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" class="ydp209e23c4MsoNormal"><span>The
unknown is what is. And to be frightened of it is what sends everybody
scurrying around chasing dreams, illusions, wars, peace, love, hate, all
that. Unknown is what is. Accept that it's unknown, and it's plain
sailing. <span> </span>John Lennon</span></p></span><br></div><p></p><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12pt;background-color:white;">401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353</span><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">623-363-3277</span><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', sans-serif;"></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:marilyn.oyler@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue;">jfwiegel@yahoo.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', sans-serif;"></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue;"><a href="http://www.partnersinparticipation.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.partnersinparticipation.com</a></span></span></p></div></div></div>
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On Friday, October 24, 2025 at 12:08:08 PM MST, Randy Williams <randycw1938@gmail.com> wrote:
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<div><div id="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024"><div><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr">Jim,</div><div dir="ltr">Regarding Congress being political vs governing: A friend of mine was a chief political aide to a member of the House from Minnesota back in the 70s. He described a typical week in the House. The members arrive back in D.C. late on Monday. They would have a Tuesday morning party caucus meeting to check-in and get their marching orders for the week. Afterwards, every minute they were not in session or in committee meetings they were expected to be in the call center dialing for dollars to keep the campaign coffers replenished. If they did not pull their weight in this activity they would not get their share of the rewards. If there were no meetings scheduled for Friday, they would fly home Thursday night. Otherwise, they departed as early Friday as they could get away. The emphasis on raising money was probably mostly because they all have to run for re-election every 2 years. It may be different in the Senate since they run only every 6 years. With the partisanship being as rabid as it is today, it seems that politics consumes at least 99% of their efforts. </div><div dir="ltr">Randy</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div id="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024yqtfd18281" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024yqt4395994477"><div dir="ltr"><blockquote type="cite">On Oct 24, 2025, at 2:25 PM, James Wiegel t<@yahoo.com> wrote:<br clear="none"><br clear="none"></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp8ebe9898yahoo-style-wrap"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br clear="none"></div><div><div dir="ltr">Thanks, Randy, for your reply -- a couple of additional notions came to my mind as I read your reply. See below interweaved with your reflections.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">THE HONORABLE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA: James, that’s an interesting thought. Partisanship and divided loyalties seem to me to be what thwarts the ability of the Congress to fulfill its legislative responsibilities of which passing a budget is the largest piece. Whereas politics plays a part in the deliberations of the Conclave, they are not primarily a political body as Congress is. </div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">JIM: I think that Congress is not a political body, they are elected to GOVERN, not politic. To me, the every 2 year, 4 year and 6 year election cycles were meant to be a BRIEF political season after which we have chosen those who will represent us in GOVERNING. I guess constant campaigning and politicking is more emotionally stimulating (and more "dramatic" and less expensive to report on as news) than the dreary business of working out details and actual solutions to challenges we face, taking action, seeing the consequences in implementation and having to adjust.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr"> <span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">THE HONORABLE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA</span></span>: My guess is they overcome their ideological differences because they have a common loyalty. Whereas each member of Congress promises loyalty to the Constitution, that tends to get misplaced as loyalty to the party, president or their constituency, </div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">JIM: and their funders and the flood of lobbyists and opionionists surrounding them. I think that is the wisdom of sequestering the Cardinals -- they carry the voices of their constituents in their heads, but in the conclave they are isolated with only the other folks designated to making the decision vs. the constant chattering and nanner nannering they would face without the seclusion.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr"> <span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">THE HONORABLE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA</span></span>: all toward the goal of being re-elected for as long as they want. So their bottom line is job security, which is not a primary concern for the cardinals. Maybe if Congress were not paid during a shutdown that would add some impetus. Even without shutting the government down they usually do a “continuing resolution” in place of an annual budget. Maybe democracy is supposed to be messy, but the system as it is seems to come up short in both efficiency and effectiveness. There are some steps that perhaps could moderate that a little, like term limits for a start.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">JIM: AND MAYBE BOTH THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND OF THE SENATE SHOULD BE SEATED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY NAME OR BY STATE-- OR MAYBE COUNT OFF FROM TIME TO TIME TO DIFFERENT SMALL GROUPS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. I quake to think what it would be like to have to facilitate a group doggedly seated next to those who already agree with them . . .</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">Randy</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none" style="color:rgb(38, 40, 42);font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"></div></div></div><br clear="none"></div><div><br clear="none"></div><div class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp8ebe9898signature"><div style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><a shape="rect" href="http://partnersinparticipation.com/james-wiegel/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Wiegel </a> <br clear="none"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"> </p><div> <span></span><p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp209e23c4MsoNormal"><span>The
unknown is what is. And to be frightened of it is what sends everybody
scurrying around chasing dreams, illusions, wars, peace, love, hate, all
that. Unknown is what is. Accept that it's unknown, and it's plain
sailing. <span> </span>John Lennon</span></p><br clear="none"></div><p></p><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12pt;background-color:white;">401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353</span><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">623-363-3277</span><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', sans-serif;"></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><a shape="rect" href="mailto:marilyn.oyler@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue;">jfwiegel@yahoo.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', sans-serif;"></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue;"><a shape="rect" href="http://www.partnersinparticipation.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.partnersinparticipation.com</a></span></span></p></div></div></div>
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On Friday, October 24, 2025 at 05:15:37 AM MST, Randy Williams <randycw1938@gmail.com> wrote:
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<div><div id="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867"><div><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr">James, that’s an interesting thought. Partisanship and divided loyalties seem to me to be what thwarts the ability of the Congress to fulfill its legislative responsibilities of which passing a budget is the largest piece. Whereas politics plays a part in the deliberations of the Conclave, they are not primarily a political body as Congress is. My guess is they overcome their ideological differences because they have a common loyalty. Whereas each member of Congress promises loyalty to the Constitution, that tends to get misplaced as loyalty to the party, president or their constituency, all toward the goal of being re-elected for as long as they want. So their bottom line is job security, which is not a primary concern for the cardinals. Maybe if Congress were not paid during a shutdown that would add some impetus. Even without shutting the government down they usually do a “continuing resolution” in place of an annual budget. Maybe democracy is supposed to be messy, but the system as it is seems to come up short in both efficiency and effectiveness. There are some steps that perhaps could moderate that a little, like term limits for a start.</div><div dir="ltr">Randy</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">On Oct 23, 2025, at 7:01 PM, James Wiegel via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:</div><div dir="ltr"><blockquote type="cite"><br clear="none"></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867ydp634d0d23yahoo-style-wrap"><div id="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867yqt97703" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867yqt1326299735"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div style="margin-bottom:0.21in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:normal;widows:2;"><font color="#001d35"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;">This is just a strange thought that came to me this morning as I was listening to news reports of the many Federal workers who are lining up at food banks, etc. in anticipation of not receiving their paychecks tomorrow. Why are they (and the rest of us) paying for the "government shut down"?</font></font></font></div><div style="margin-bottom:0.21in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:normal;widows:2;"><font color="#001d35"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><br clear="none"></font></font></font></div><div style="margin-bottom:0.21in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:normal;widows:2;"><font color="#001d35"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"> ACCORDING
TO GOOGLE: Congress's main role is to make laws, control taxing
and spending, and provide a system of checks and balances within the
U.S. government. The Constitution grants it powers such as declaring
war, regulating commerce, coining money, and overseeing the executive
branch through hearings and an oversight function. The legislative
process involves both the House of Representatives and the Senate,
with specific powers, like the Senate's "advice and consent"
for presidential appointments and treaties,. </font></font></font></div>
<p style="margin-top:0.21in;margin-bottom:0.1in;line-height:0.29in;orphans:2;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:normal;widows:2;">
<span style="display:inline-block;border:none;padding:0in;"><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4" style="font-size:15pt;">Core
functions of Congress</font></font></font></span></p>
<ul><li><p style="margin-bottom:0.13in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;widows:2;border:none;padding:0in;">
<strong><span><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><b>Lawmaking:</b></span></span></font></font></font></span></strong><span><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span style="font-weight:normal;"> To
make laws that affect all Americans, based on debate and the
legislative process involving both the House and Senate.</span></span></span></font></font></font></span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom:0.13in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;widows:2;border:none;padding:0in;">
<strong><span><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><b>Financial
control:</b></span></span></font></font></font></span></strong><span><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span style="font-weight:normal;"> To
raise revenue through taxes, approve the federal budget, and coin
money.</span></span></span></font></font></font></span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom:0.13in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;widows:2;border:none;padding:0in;">
<strong><span><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><b>War
declaration:</b></span></span></font></font></font></span></strong><span><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span style="font-weight:normal;"> To
have the sole authority to declare war.</span></span></span></font></font></font></span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom:0.13in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;widows:2;border:none;padding:0in;">
<strong><span><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><b>Oversight:</b></span></span></font></font></font></span></strong><span><font color="#001d35" style="background-color:inherit;"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span style="font-weight:normal;"> To
oversee the executive branch and ensure that laws are administered
according to congressional intent through hearings and
investigations. </span></span></span></font></font></font></span></p></li></ul>
<p style="letter-spacing:normal;margin-bottom:0.13in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;widows:2;border:none;padding:0in;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;">
<font color="#001d35"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;">We
elect 535 people to Congress. They have not done their job – WORK
TOGETHER to, in this instance, approve the federal budget (in a
timely manner). Federal workers who are furloughed or not being paid
are paying the price for their paralysis. More and more, we the
people are also paying the price, and the nation as a whole as others
look at us with increasing disdain. Why are the REST OF US paying
the price for the DECISION of those 535 members to not do their job??</font></font></font></p>
<p style="letter-spacing:normal;margin-bottom:0.13in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;widows:2;border:none;padding:0in;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;">
<font color="#001d35"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;">I
was thinking about the Roman church and the recent necessity to name
a new Pope. (also the movie, was it "Conclave"? The people responsible for that decision were
sequestered in a room with no contact outside until they came to a
decision. No time off, no “man-splaining”, no tweets, no press
conferences. Just one thing – come to a decision they will all
live with. And stay there til you do. Hence the white smoke.</font></font></font></p>
<p style="letter-spacing:normal;margin-bottom:0.13in;line-height:0.25in;orphans:2;widows:2;border:none;padding:0in;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;">
<font color="#001d35"><font face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3" style="font-size:12pt;">Maybe
we should try this. Sequester all 535 till they come to the decision
they are charged with making on our behalf. Then let us know and we
move on. Perhaps a fine for each day they are interrupting our lives
by their incapacity to do their job. Or perhaps a % reduction in
their salaries, expenses, benefits and retirement each day for the trouble
they are causing the rest of us by their choosing not to do the job
we elected them to. </font></font></font>
</p></div><br clear="none"></div><div><br clear="none"></div><div class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867ydp634d0d23signature"><div style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><a shape="rect" href="http://partnersinparticipation.com/james-wiegel/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Wiegel </a> <br clear="none"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"> </p><div> <span></span><p style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867ydp209e23c4MsoNormal"><span>The
unknown is what is. And to be frightened of it is what sends everybody
scurrying around chasing dreams, illusions, wars, peace, love, hate, all
that. Unknown is what is. Accept that it's unknown, and it's plain
sailing. <span> </span>John Lennon</span></p><br clear="none"></div><p></p><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12pt;background-color:white;">401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353</span><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">623-363-3277</span><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', sans-serif;"></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><a shape="rect" href="mailto:marilyn.oyler@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue;">jfwiegel@yahoo.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', sans-serif;"></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background:white;" class="ydpaf16239byiv5101700024ydp1d09f9d1yiv0697811867ydpa512fec3MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue;"><a shape="rect" href="http://www.partnersinparticipation.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.partnersinparticipation.com</a></span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br clear="none"><span>OE mailing list</span><br clear="none"><span>OE@lists.wedgeblade.net</span><br clear="none"><span>http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net</span><br clear="none"></div></blockquote></div></div></div>
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