Subcommittee Investigations

Submitted by Michael (United States), Mar 3, 2007 at 12:55

Sorry to enter the discussion so late.

Subcommittee investigations are not designed to engage in academic debates. They are not a vehicle for "our side" to expose "their side" for "what they really are." One of the other posts here suggested that such debate should be reserved for college campuses and other similar places. I agree with that position.

The Congressional Subcommittee hearings are for Congress to gather information and to provide expert guidance to our national lawmakers. I won't belabor this point with an extended discussion in civics. Catch the full story in an entertaining School House Rock segment entitled "I'm Just a Bill, Sitting on Capitol Hill."

Therefore, the decision to invite "our" experts may be interpreted as "tacit approval." However, there is a larger policy issue. These hearings take time, and time is money. American taxpayers pick up the tab. "Legislative economy" is a tremendously important policy goal, irrespective of the cynicism with which one might view the lawmaking dynamic or the abundant examples of legislative waste.

In short, a debate between "our side" and "their side," a side that we hope our Congress will never subscribe to, the side that calls for the destruction of Israel, is simply a waste of time for Congress. When Congress wastes time, it translates into a waste of American taxpayer dollars. Therefore, reserve those debates for academia and otherwise.

To the extent that America wants to support and advance the goals of legitimate democratic governments around the world -- Israel is one, the Hamas-lead Palestinian Authority is not -- it makes sense that the subcommittee did not invite speakers from a group that it knows it will ignore when making laws and appropriating funds. Although I'm well-aware of Israel's shortcoming, after all no nation is perfect, the distinctions between Israeli democracy and Palestinian "democracy" are too abundant to list.

For those who view the invitation of "their side" as morally repugnant, I share your sentiment. But the bigger policy concern for Legislative is one of legislative economy. It is worth the expense for our government to support Israel because Israel is a legitimate democracy. To that end, the furtherance of Israel's legitimate democratic government will weigh in Israel's favor with American lawmakers. When the PA realizes this, and acts accordingly, then they'll find a voice in Congressional Subcommittee investigative hearings. By that time, Zionists will likely have no objection to their participation. Legitimate democracies do not repeatedly call for the destruction of their neighbor and engage in subversive terror and violence in furtherance of that goal.

Be sure to catch that School House Rock segment.

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