Core functions of Congress

• Lawmaking: To make laws that affect all Americans, based on debate and the legislative process involving both the House and Senate.

• Financial control: To raise revenue through taxes, approve the federal budget, and coin money.

• War declaration: To have the sole authority to declare war.

• Oversight: To oversee the executive branch and ensure that laws are administered according to congressional intent through hearings and investigations. 

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??

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.

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.