@csgordon@zirk.us @gwaldby

Yes, the modern idea of mandatory versus discretionary is nothing new, but it is also little more than rhetorical games that congresspeople play to try to avoid accountability and score points for the next election cycle, and we really really need to spend more time calling them out on it.

It is politicians spending money while claiming they have no choice but to spend tax dollars in ways that a lot of us are uncomfortable with. It is an excuse. And we need to call them out on it, not promote the powerful people using their excuses for exerting their power.