Senatorial Courtesy – What a Term for Incompetence

Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) has elected to use his home state senate position to administratively block the consideration of an appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals. This is not new or atypical; it has a long history in America’s governmental politics. But it reflects yet another bad Congressional abuse of power in that it places the judgment of one individual above that of the entire Congress. It may be beneficial to the individual Senator and the Senate may be willing to support and continue this quid pro quo arrangement so that each politician can serve their personal interests within their own political domain.

Now Menendez says that this is not personal, he truly and faithfully believes that the nominee is not qualified. Thus given his individual perspective, judgment and understanding he is confident that his colleagues would not approve the nomination anyway; so he is acting to curtail his peers from needing to assess the nominee (and his assessment).

If he is correct, that the nominee is not qualified for the appointment, we might all expect that he would do what any competent, honorable and intelligent politician would do. (Yes, I know that competent, honorable and intelligent politicians are an endangered species but he could at least strive to ascend to near-competence, near-honorable, and near-intelligent behavior.)

If the nominee is unqualified then present your reasons, facts and positions to the members of Congress. Use the opportunity to inform the public about the importance of the position and the qualities and competencies that such a position require to serve the public interests. Don’t void the issue, don’t hide behind an institutional curtain, and don’t demonstrate through your hidden reasoning that you are afraid and unwilling to bring to light the reasons for your decision. And lastly, do not place your singular judgment above that of every other member of Congress. If your views are accepted and valued then they will vote with you.

Step up, rather than descend into the weak-assed ranks of today’s common politician.