Boehner tries to rebrand failure, defend Congress' ineptitude

[ProSense]

Boehner tries to rebrand failure, defend Congress' ineptitude

By Steve Benen

This Congress is generally perceived as failing miserably when it comes to governing, and a few weeks ago, we learned this perception is quantifiably true: the 113th Congress is on track to pass fewer bills than any since the clerk's office started keeping track in the mid-1940s.

When a reporter asked House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) late last week about the institution's "historically unproductive" nature, the Republican balked. "That's just total nonsense," he snapped, before the question was even finished.

Over the weekend, however, Boehner reversed course, deciding that his unproductive tenure isn't something to be denied; it's something to be celebrated.

House Speaker John Boehner says Congress "ought to be judged on how many laws we repeal."

The Ohio Republican makes the comments on an interview aired Sunday on CBS "Face the Nation." He was responding to a question about how little Congress is doing these days.

Boehner says Congress "should not be judged by how many new laws we create."

Let's appreciate exactly what Boehner is trying to do here. When he and his Republican colleagues sought power, they told the electorate that they would work to find solutions to national problems. After having been unsuccessful, the Speaker of the House has decided to rebrand failure -- he wants credit for his record of futility and expects praise for the fact that he and his caucus have made no legislative progress since he took power three years ago.

Instead of finding solutions to ongoing challenges, Boehner believes Congress should be focusing on undoing solutions to previous challenges. By the Speaker's reasoning, we should probably change the language we use when it comes to Capitol Hill -- Boehner and his colleagues aren't lawmakers, they're lawenders.

- more -

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/07/22/19615155-boehner-tries-to-rebrand-failure-defend-congress-ineptitude

Worst. Speaker. Ever.

[atreides1]

1. Kind of like...

....letting your child watch TV, after they've trashed your house!

[global1]

2. This Is From The Onion - Right?......nt

[nykym]

3. Then why haven't you managed

to repeal "OBAMACARE" evidently you have tried 40 times.
You can't even be good at repealing legislation!

[Frustratedlady]

4. Only in government can your "employees" refuse to work for the good of all and yet keep their jobs.

We shouldn't have to keep these congresscritters who openly refuse to take any constructive action to benefit their employers -- us! It's bad enough they refuse to cooperate with the CEO (Obama), and they haven't come up with any positive legislation to replace what they believe are wrong proposals.

No wonder the US is sinking. First, you have Bush who nearly drowned us in debt. Second, you have the Republicans acting like spoiled brats with no supervision. Well, actually, their supervision (McConnell, Boehner, et al.) are the worst of the bunch.

I believe we should put out a warning to our children. Do NOT read/listen to the daily reports on Congress' activities, as they will instill poor work ethics and your future will be a sad and sorry lot. Today's kids are learning from some pretty pathetic role models if they follow the actions of Congress in today's world.

[Cali_Democrat]

5. Exactly....they aren't lawmakers over there in the House. n/t

[okieinpain]

6. yet it seems with every election cycle they are only

One or two people away from having total control of government. Lol, the future is so dark you're going to need a sun.

[Taitertots]

8. It is the new double think of the Republican party

Congress should repeal laws, but only when Republicans are the minority party.