You're absolutely right - the only reason these clowns in congress won't do what works is because to do it means they basically give up their entire source of power - the tax code. They use the tax code for social engineering. You do this with your money - you get that reward. And so on. Obama was praised as a 'pragmatist' - ie, do what works. He's on the fast track to becoming one of the biggest jokes in the country's history. And that's no small feat considering Bush.