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I am not sure the words integrity and Senate belong in the same sentence. With all of the posturing that goes on within the Senate, any business that catches national attention is viewed as an opportunity to further the career of nearly every Senator. So, to expect any of them to make anything but the most time-sensitive activity less than a circus is not realistic.

Powerful heads of Senate committees are always looking for ways to get their pet project moved ahead. Because of this, they will use any device, even holding up the confirmation of a key individual, to gain advantage. If the appointee is considered a good fit and is doing the job quite well without confirmation, why not sit on it for a while until it can pay other legislative dividends.

Anytime you give something to someone who has a personal agenda to promote, you will get a similar response. It does not take a Senator to be problematic. It can be a waiter/waitress in a restaurant trying to make a point to a customer by making sure that their food arrives last and cold. It's not just politicians. Anyone who has a reason not to take the high road will take advantage of a promising situation.

Learn more about this author, Allen Teal.
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