This week, the House Republicans decided to pass a law Rules issued by the executive branch concerning more than $100 million must get reviewed by the legislative branch. Though unlikely to pass the Senate, this performative legislation is problematic in multiple ways. For one thing, it’s a clear overreach of constitutional authority for the law-making branch to interfere with the executive branch’s operations. If Congress want money to be used in a certain way, then it should say so in the bills as passed. But there’s a second, more nefarious, possibility.

The House Republicans want to use the debt limit, yet again, as a renegotiation tactic to get some things done. What are they interested in getting done? Well, here’s a little list (as covered in the Roll Call periodical). Republicans are pushing to make food stamp work requirements harder to get (great way to stick it to the…wait, poor people who can’t afford to eat?). And in other “news” Fox News has started reporting on gun control in a different way. Now they’re actually challenging lawmakers who suggest that gun violence is unavoidable and is a problem specific to larger cities.

This last series of unprompted shootings must have had an impact, maybe? Or perhaps it was the multi-million dollar settlement and the queue of lawsuits Fox still has ahead? I know which one I’m going with.

So if even Fox News can get it right sometimes, where are the Republicans focusing their energy? Is it common-sense gun reform? No, of course not. They’re going after perpetrators of victimless “crimes” like loving someone they’re “not supposed to.” And the cost of their misdirection?

Don said it exactly right. The misdirection and lies are perpetuating useless legislation (my words) “at the expense of our young people’s lives.” (Don’s words).