The Senate failed to pass a bill to avoid the sequester Thursday, virtually guaranteeing that massive across-the-board budget cuts will go into effect on March 1, and proving once again that Congress is utterly inept at solving any problems, including those of their making.
But before bemoaning the Washington's pettiness and gridlock, Americans might want to take a look at the following photos from other capitals around the world.
The package, assembled by Reuters, reveals lawmaker brawls so violent and brutal that our partisan bickering looks positively cordial in comparison.
A Hong Kong lawmaker hurled a pillow at the Financial Secretary this week to demand universal retirement benefits.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung throws a cloud-shape cushion at Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang to demand for a universal retirement protection scheme during the annual budget report at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong February 27, 2013. The sign reads "No more nonsense. Setup universal retirement protection scheme now." REUTERS/Tyrone Siu.
In Macedonia, violent brawling broke out in parliament over the 2013 budget. Police in riot gear had to be called in to break up the fight.
Macedonian deputies and members of opposition Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDSM) rescue fellow party member Vesna Bendevska (C) during a clash with Parliament security as they try to protect parliament speaker Trajko Veljanovski in Skopje December 24, 2012. REUTERS/Viktor Popovski
The Ukrainian parliament descended into chaos during a debate over voting rights last year.
Parliament members scuffle over voting rules during the first session of the newly-elected Ukrainian parliament in Kiev December 13, 2012. REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov.
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