By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The U.S. military’s operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was carried out without informing Congress, a practice Representative Seth Moulton and others criticize as a symptom of a weakened legislative branch. Moulton argues that congressional Republicans are unwilling to challenge the Trump administration’s overreach, despite what he sees as an assault on the separation of powers. While some Republicans defended the administration’s actions, citing similar instances from past presidencies, others acknowledged concerns about the administration’s disregard for congressional oversight. The article also notes Democrats’ criticism of Trump’s actions and some efforts within Congress to reassert its war-making powers, with limited success.
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Does Congress Even Exist Anymore?
It’s a question that’s been bubbling up, hasn’t it? The feeling that something’s shifted, that the familiar gears of government aren’t quite turning the way they used to. And the more you look at the evidence, the more you have to wonder if Congress, as we knew it, is still really *there*. It’s almost as if it’s becoming a shadow of its former self.
One of the most concerning things is the apparent abdication of power to the executive branch. We’re talking about a situation where the actions of the President, in this case, seemingly go unchallenged. The examples cited, like the military operation in Venezuela, where Congress wasn’t even given a heads-up, are just the tip of the iceberg. This idea of the President being able to act without oversight, to lie to Congress with little consequence, really makes you question where the checks and balances went.
The role of the Republican Party in this picture is hard to ignore. Some view the GOP as having essentially given up their power, content to let the President call the shots. The argument is that they’ve prioritized party loyalty over their constitutional duties, and as a result, the legislative branch has become weakened, almost nonexistent. This isn’t just about a specific political figure either; it’s about the erosion of the fundamental principles of governance.
The fact that representatives don’t respond to calls or emails, and that the only activity seems to be facilitating insider trading raises a lot of valid points. The whole thing starts to feel like a cynical game where the primary goal isn’t serving the people, but rather, personal enrichment. That’s a huge indictment. This all points to a larger issue: the erosion of trust in our institutions.
It’s not just about what Congress *isn’t* doing; it’s also about what it *is* allowing. The silence surrounding questionable actions, the lack of investigation into things that should be red flags, the implicit approval of certain policies – these all contribute to the feeling that Congress is no longer functioning as an independent and powerful body. The inaction is deafening.
This is where the debate about what we are actually living under starts to pop up. If Congress doesn’t act, if the other branches don’t check the executive, and the rule of law is undermined, where does that leave us? It’s a terrifying thought: the loss of the protections we thought we had.
And the frustrating thing is, it’s not like the problems are a secret. Everyone knows. And yet, the same problems continue, and the people in charge aren’t doing anything to stop them. A lot of the time it feels like it is just there to collect a paycheck, and the most important thing is to make sure the “machine” continues running.
It is easy to blame Trump, but the anger seems to be directed more at Congress itself. They are the ones who are supposed to hold the line, to safeguard the Constitution. But what happens when the very institution designed to protect our freedoms seemingly disappears?
The arguments presented show that the Democrats are just as flawed as the Republicans. The divisions are deep, with those in the middle seemingly stuck in their ways, while progressives are continually shut down. The consensus is that the whole system is broken.
The bigger picture is concerning as well. It’s a slow burn, a gradual erosion of the principles that are meant to protect all of us. The fact that the U.S. seems to be unable to function as a beacon of democracy is a really worrying sign.
In essence, the argument boils down to this: Congress, in its current state, is failing to perform its most basic functions. It’s failing to hold the executive branch accountable, it’s failing to represent the interests of the people, and it’s failing to act as a meaningful check on power. The power is being given away.
The overall sentiment? That Congress exists in name only. It’s a sad reality, one that leaves a lot of people feeling disillusioned and powerless. It’s hard to have hope that change is even possible. The future is uncertain when the people in power don’t seem to care and those meant to make sure they do, can’t be bothered.