To paraphrase an infamous character, we are governed by the government we have, not the government we want. What we think ought to be is not quite relevant to what is, and to the current contradictions we face.
From Politico: “Hill Republicans will need Trump’s signoff to do anything with the Affordable Care Act subsidies, and they’re starting to run short on time.”
We are not dealing with three entities holding each other accountable with checks and balances. We are dealing with ‘unitary government’ in which both the legislative and highest judiciary elements are functionally aligned and subordinated to the executive’s leadership and direction. The populist nature of that leadership and direction provides the ‘cape and the sword’ of the bull fighter – and the bull never sees the sword. Only the cape. We missed the growing frustration, resentment and grievance under the acceptance of the Obama administration. It was tinder waiting for a spark – and that spark came from leadership on both sides. Fanned into flames, the scapegoating and ‘red meat’ issues transformed concerns affecting less than 1% of the population (immigration AND LGBTQ) into the ‘cape’ leaving the economic ‘sword’ free to act without check. Scapegoating is as unstable as a bayonet. And Napoleon said ‘You can do anything with a bayonet, except sit on it.’ It eats its own children. And it leaves a lot of innocent suffering in its wake. It will take a body count to end this – not of ‘the enemy,' but of people caught up in the suffering it will bring and a change of heart in folk just as Civil Rights needed the bloody bridge and charging dogs to get the energy to say ‘enough.’ And it’s not going to go away. We need to figure out how to diminish the isolation, to address the generations long trauma in the low income white community (remember immigrants came from countries and cultures that were extremely violent to their ancestors as well). Suggest reading ‘My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies’ by Resmaa Menakem. FWIW. Bill Schlesinger From: OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> On Behalf Of James Wiegel via OE Sent: Friday, October 24, 2025 12:26 PM To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>; Randy Williams <randycw1938@gmail.com> Cc: James Wiegel <jfwiegel@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Comparing our federal government and the Roman Catholic Church . . . 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. 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. 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. THE HONORABLE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA: 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, 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. THE HONORABLE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA: 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. 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 . . . Randy Jim Wiegel <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://partnersinparticipation.com/james-wiegel/&source=gmail-imap&ust=1761935164000000&usg=AOvVaw0tvjzaRN181pNsvlVeGLae> 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. John Lennon 401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353 623-363-3277 jfwiegel@yahoo.com <mailto:marilyn.oyler@gmail.com> www.partnersinparticipation.com <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.partnersinparticipation.com/&source=gmail-imap&ust=1761935164000000&usg=AOvVaw0LHQLj2_NYRbFlaf3X-o9x> On Friday, October 24, 2025 at 05:15:37 AM MST, Randy Williams <randycw1938@gmail.com <mailto:randycw1938@gmail.com> > wrote: 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. Randy On Oct 23, 2025, at 7:01 PM, James Wiegel via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> > wrote: 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"? 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,. 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. Jim Wiegel <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://partnersinparticipation.com/james-wiegel/&source=gmail-imap&ust=1761935164000000&usg=AOvVaw0tvjzaRN181pNsvlVeGLae> 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. John Lennon 401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353 623-363-3277 jfwiegel@yahoo.com <mailto:marilyn.oyler@gmail.com> www.partnersinparticipation.com <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.partnersinparticipation.com/&source=gmail-imap&ust=1761935164000000&usg=AOvVaw0LHQLj2_NYRbFlaf3X-o9x> _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:OE@lists.wedgeblade.net> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net -- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE TO RECIPIENT: This transmission may contain confidential information belonging to the sender that is legally privileged and proprietary and may be subject to protection under the law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are prohibited from sharing, copying, or otherwise using or disclosing its contents. 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