Uh, yay? Government returns to work

Careful what you wish for.

“Congress needs to get back to work!”

“Re-open Government so we can move forward!”

“We can’t afford for this to continue!”

I can make the argument we can’t afford the alternative. The landmark McConnell-Reid bill that ended the shutdown and averted breaching the debt-ceiling was not a “clean Continuing Resolution,” as asked for by the president and some lawmakers.

We learned Thursday that wedged into the required and necessary bill that opened up America for business, there were some things few people would consider necessary and required.

For example, the man whose NAME is on the bill, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky apparently would only attach his fine name if it included a $3 BILLION earmark to build a damn in Paducah, Ky. (Side note, I’ve been to Paducah and wouldn’t give you $3 billion for the entire place.)

McConnell is concerned about his re-election chances and wasn’t going to agree to ANYTHING, unless it included the ability for him to spread some of YOUR tax dollars around Kentucky. “Hi, I’m Mitch and I’m bringing home the bacon to YOU! Vote for me.”

So while the Sequestration and Government Shutdown have actually saved taxpayers from oppressive, wasteful — dare I say — fraudulent spending on behalf of Congress, now that we have a three-month extension, Congress can get back to the important work of spending money we don’t have on things we don’t need.

Hooray for compromise!