Is Congress fulfilling their sworn duties? I believe not.

The U.S. House of Representatives is responsible for originating an annual budget as directed by the U.S. Constitution.  It has been derelict in their sworn duty.

Every Representative swears the following oath.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; “and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

Can any representative of either side claim that they have upheld their sworn duty?  I think not.

The greater shame goes to the Democrats who have held both houses and the presidency until January 3^rd, 2011 and were able to pass any budget they wanted during that time.  And now the Democrats have the audacity to claim that the Republicans want to shut down the government.  No greater lie was ever spoken by any politician in office.

It is about time that all politicians are held to their promises, but most of all to their oaths of office.  It is sad that there are no provisions to recall or even impeach members of Congress for dereliction of their duty.

Furthermore, since the House of Representatives also has the power to grant letters of marque in order to provide for the safety of the seas, they have also refused to perform their duty to protect American ships and citizens as provided in the Constitution under Article I Section 8.

“To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;”

Last week four American citizens were murdered at sea by Somali pirates while under observation of the U.S. Navy.  This is not to criticize the Navy but the lack of action authorized by the Constitution.  It may seem like our times no longer call for something as removed from our society as letters of marque, but since these times include pirates in the Indian Ocean, let us use every authorized force available to us.

At present, there are 30 ships and several hundred people held for ransom by these criminals, isn’t it about time to use the power of the United States of America to rid the seas of these pirates.  We can’t negotiate with them, counting on their good will.  Sometimes the use of deadly force is necessary.  Now is the time.

There are several companies that have the capacity and training that I’m sure would be willing to take on such a contract. Either way, the fact that Americans are unsafe on the high seas outside of wartime for the first time in 200 years indicates just how derelict in their duty members of Congress truly have been.