An editorial in the Army Times, October 13, 2014...the Army Times!!! (I'm glad I've already voted.)

"In recent years, members of both the House and Senate have habitually carped about President Obama usurping Congress by making decisions and taking action without expressly consulting them- as he's done in launching airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

"But if lawmakers are feeling bypassed and marginalized, they have only themselves to blame. With partisan polarization still at fever pitch on Capitol Hill, the legislative branch can't find even a sliver of common ground to carry out its most routine responsibilities
to manage the nation's finances - much less show leadership on
quick-burning, fast moving international crises.

"And so, eight weeks into the bombing campaign against the Islamic State, we have the tragicomic spectacle of Congress still dithering about whether, and when, to awake from its torpor to vote to authorize the use of military force in the Middle East. Some lawmakers want-to take such a vote before the November mid-term elections and attach the use-of-force legislation to another, larger bill, perhaps the defense appropriations or authorization bill. Others want to punt the issue to the new Congress that will convene in January. None seem willing to acknowledge the obvious: The world moves very fast these days, and this train has left the station.

"The real reason lawmakers are avoiding this vote is because they are loathe to go on public record on such a hot-button issue ahead of the upcoming elections. It's one of the more egregious recent examples of Congress putting self-interest above duty.

"If lawmakers truly want to play a role in overseeing the interests
of our nation and the welfare of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and
Marines, they are free to engage at any time."