Congress Bails Out Itself, Continues Funding Failing Government Programs

With the economy struggling, the housing market showing signs of decline, and unemployment numbers looking grim, Congress thought that it would be a good idea to give itself a raise. We have seen bank bail outs and automobile industry bail outs, now the government is bailing itself out--and a little extra.

And what perfect timing. While world attention is turned to the G20, United Nations, and Iran's new nuclear program, the United States House passed a bill to keep the US Government from shutting down. On Friday Congress extended funding on virtually all federal programs and increased funding for lawmaker offices.

Aside from the increased budget, the bill will also extend roads project programs for another month, and fund the failing United States Postal Service (USPS).

Congressional leaders need to join the rest of us in the modern world. Increasing budgets in the private sector is not an option when the economy is slow and revenues are low. USPS is an archaic government relic that needs a technological overhaul and new legislation ending its monopoly on first class mail-- not an influx of government cash.

Congress still does not get what an economic downturn really means.