Boehner Jokes That House Of Representatives 'Designed Not To Work'

[bathroommonkey76]

Asked about the divisions within his House GOP caucus, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) quipped Monday that the institution is dysfunctional by design.

"I'm presiding over an institution that was designed not to work," Boehner said on PBS NewsHour. "You know, the founding fathers gave us 435 members from all across the country. One big committee to solve America's issues. It's a demanding job. But I'm glad I've got it."

The Speaker said the frequency of elections makes it difficult to get important work done.

More here:

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/boehner-vents-that-house-of-representatives-designed-not

[onehandle]

1. The once and future Speaker Pelosi would beg to differ. Her Congress kicked ass.

Your orange ass, as well.

[mikekohr]

2. It worked under Nancy Pelosi

In fact it was the most effective House since 1964. But then the tan man with no plan took over.

[unblock]

5. in the scheme of things, the house is serving his purpose quite nicely.

the republicans plan *IS* dysfunction, and to blame it all somehow on obama.

that's not the founders' plan, of course, but the republicans'.

[Enrique]

3. just like a drunk driver that wraps his car around a tree

"this piece of shit car, the handling SUCKS!"

[yurbud]

14. except the GOP aims for the tree

[unblock]

4. it wasn't 435 when our founders created it, and they didn't campaign non-stop

nor was it designed to be dysfunctional. it was designed to be more volatile than the senate, reflecting the popular wishes of the people and changing frequently.

the dysfunction starts with the desire to UNDO the intent of the founders by making career representatives the norm. they wanted frequent elections so that there would always be fresh blood representing the most recent perspectives of the voters.

we would have a far more functional system is congresscritters simply stated their positions and let the chips fall where they may.

[freefaller62]

7. You're right on every point

In every congress we see almost 12,000 pieces of legislation.

About 240 of them become law. Most of those new laws are to name post offices or federal buildings.

Congress wants you to think they are busy; but they are busy on bullshit legislation.

[Obama3_16]

15. very well stated

[DJ13]

6. dysfunctional by design

Well, if he would work on eliminating outside money in our political system his Chamber wouldnt have to spend all their time sucking up to wealthy campaign donors.

That would relieve him of most of his anxiety.

[ProSense]

8. It worked

here:




Boehner is trying to gloss over the fact that he's a lousy Speaker of the House.

[Suji to Seoul]

9. In a way, Agent Orange is partially correct (holding back vomit saying that)

The HOR was designed to turn on a dime (elections every two years).

The entire Federal Government is designed to illicit conflict to prevent actual work to be done. It was part of the intention of the States Rights people in the Constitutional Convention.

As a result, Agent Orange is 20% correct. Still, his HOR has done pretty much less than nothing and he's proud of that crap, while blaming the President!

[muntrv]

10. John of Orange proves that point.

[provis99]

11. Boehner couldn't run an Ooma Loompa factory.

[cbrer]

13. Oompa Loompas

Would go on strike and choke his dumb ass with chocolate.

[Cleita]

12. I think it was working before he became Speaker.

You broke it, you own it Bonehead.

[lunatica]

16. Having elections every two years means the only work that gets done

is raising campaign money. I hate to agree with him, but sometimes even Idiocrats can say things that sound wise.

On the other hand if what he means by designed not to work means he can't just decree his blatant bullshit into law on a whim, well then it is dysfunctional. He hasn't destroyed Obama yet, so therefore Congress is dysfunctional is pure ego.