The Congress, for one, is the best “representation” of erring politicians and so many politicking.  There are many instances and hearings wherein policies are not passed, not because these laws are lame and unacceptable, but congressmen tend to vote more on what their respective parties stand for (and not on the policy itself).  Even the House of Congress of the United States of America is not spared from all these hoola-limbos of dirty politics. As one can notice over the news, erring Republicans and Democrats are obviously taking side of its members in politics to the point that rational passage of law has become the second best only.  Such occurrences can be best construed when voting of passages is done in Congress. Representatives are likely to vote on what their party thinks than on their respective judgments.  This can be clearly seen on who vote this and who vote that – and if one will really look closely, votes are mostly likely categorically grouped into parties.  It is a sad fact that could not be really denied.

Meanwhile, such thing is not only prevalent in the House of Representatives of America, but also in any other Congress of some nations. We can see it over television wherein legislators argue violently, to the point of hurting each other physically.  There are moments that, because of their too much being candid on national television over their unguarded emotions, legislators sometimes look funny already.  True enough, video clips of these policymakers getting physically violent with each other look comical already and have become points of jokes in commentaries and other broadcast shows.  A show of Congress becoming into a bloody sport venue is something not to be proud of by the electorates.

Despite of this ugly reality, however, the general public should not be disillusioned on governance and the importance of government. These politicians (or legislators) are not the only ones that make-up the government. The general public is part of the government. In order to have intelligent and public-serving leaders, people should vote those who they think are appropriate for the positions.  They should vote wisely and never give votes to that who is just mere politicking.  In this way, electorates not only exercise their freedom of suffrage, but they also contribute in making their country a better, safer and well-secured place to live in.

Unlike the British model, the US’ form of government allows for party influence and affiliation to affect every nook of government. For many it is an unnecessary distraction. A waste of precious time otherwise would have been dedicated to public service and serving the people. For many, it is an exercise that ensures the people that democracy is at work – which the system of equal opportunities for everyone is in place.

Historically, it has been a see-saw battle for the executive branch (the presidency and the White House) and Congress. A Republican president is usually balanced by a Democratic Congress, and the other way around. Perhaps this is a way for American people to ensure that everybody’s interests are protected. And the debates are always fruitful and colorful. The President submits his legislative agenda or the annual budget, is scrutinized and even amended by a Congress ruled by the opposing party, and then the final product comes out.

Political pundits say there are two things in the world you do not want people see how they are made – laws and sausages. In crafting laws, in Congress, there are so much wrangling, positioning, compromises and sacrifices in order to accommodate everyone. There is one battle at the House of Representatives – who represent as varying interests on issues as the number of congressional districts in the country – more than 400 of them. Then the next step is the senate, a little less in a number, two senators per state no matter each size, but as bloody a battleground for laws.

Laws come from two sources, the President and the Congressmen themselves.  They go to Congress for debates, changes and approval. Some Congressmen would support or nor support a bill based on its merits, some would even propose amendments to make the law better. Many also, ask for compromises and rewards in exchange for votes.

The most common currency in Congress is Federal funding for projects. In exchange for their votes, Congressmen get funding for their pet projects in their districts. Some require equal support for their own bills that they will later file. Some needed to be wooed by party leaders and by the President himself. All these happen behind the scenes to get the Americans the best laws they deserve, or could get at that moment.

People say democracy is a mess. However, that is, in fact, the essence of it all. That everyone has a right to speak out and elect his representative to Congress, who in turn is expected to fight for his constituents. Debates and political wrangling are too small a price to pay for that freedom.

With the United States experiencing its most severe downturn in recent years, the stimulus packages hoped to lessen the impact of the downturn on businesses and states, avoiding closures, cut-backs and lay-offs.  It also hoped to hasten recovery.  The U.S. Congressional Budget Office relates that most of the money will be spent next year.  In fact, according to the Recovery.gov Web site, only $179 billion of the total amount promised to have been allocated and merely a third of that has been spent.  Much of the money will be allocated and subsequently spent in 2010 when the effects of the downturn are most likely to linger.

The stimulus plan encourages people to spend, as evidenced by the enormous and wide tax cuts it includes.  Employees would see a $500 reduction in their taxes while those who are unemployed can look forward to expanded unemployment benefits, healthcare benefits and food stamp benefits.  It will also fund school improvements, educational loans, as well as tax credits for college students.

In healthcare, the stimulus plan will bring in more than $5 billion in preventive care programs and community health center improvements.  It will also pour $6 billion to help homeowners save up on energy costs via tax credits on conservation measures and replacement of old appliances. An allotment of $5 million will help families with mortgages.

Indeed, Obama’s stimulus package attempts to become the most comprehensive plan in recent years.  And it has so far been successful in increasing the country’s GDP.  However, the plan is not without detractors.  A lot of criticism has been thrown against it.  One of these contends that the plan increases the budget deficit that the U.S. has.  The plan will be paid for by debt.  Another criticism says that all the measures are temporary.  In fact, some economists have voiced out their negative opinions, saying that the package will not help the country’s economy at all.  The Congressional Budget Office has released a study showing that the package will, in fact, hurt the economy in the long run.

Most people, however, agree that an aggressive and sizable plan was needed to soften the effects of the downturn.  President Obama has been lauded for his move to achieve this and still avoid creating further doubts about the country’s debt position.

Is the plan working?  So far, it has been able to inch its way to its goal, which is to encourage consumer spending while cushioning the impact of the downturn on those who are directly affected by it – specifically those who are laid off, those who are losing their homes, and those who are running small businesses.  The package is helping to create jobs, which in turn stirs up consumer spending.