A dangerous game is being played in Congress, and most people are not aware.
The game involves us because appointments are not acted upon due to Republican obstructionism. This includes the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director who is supposed to ensure the 2008 Wall Street meltdown never occurs again. Did you know that congressional Republicans have filibustered President Obama's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives director nominee? The ATF has been without a director for six years.
The New York Times noted in 2009 dozens of nominations were held up. One story was particular telling: Miriam Sapiro's nomination to become deputy U.S. trade representative was held up by Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky to "pressure the (office) to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization against Canada over a law that bans cigarettes with candy flavors."
Today, nearly 78 positions requiring Senate confirmation are vacant and 87 federal judgeships are vacant. The Alliance for Justice commented, "The country cannot afford to wait any longer for the confirmation process to return to a rational and fair basis." Retired Judge Timothy Lewis wrote, "The shortages on the federal bench are very real, and every day that we wait it gets worse."
The media should do a better job informing the voters about shenanigans that are going on and that adversely affects the public.
Diane Louis
New Baltimore