The incredible show of spine by yesterday's Congress was probably the greatest display of what goes on in DC that we have ever witnessed. In the face of almost unheard of uniformity within the American Public, 80% or more, Congress sat, laid down, rolled over, and on command, fetched the NRA from potential doom.
Doom? you may ask? Doom, indeed!
Teh Horrors! The idea that we may want to have background checks for anyone who wants to buy a gun is so revolting, so unconstitutional, so against our American Values, that our congress is will to stand up, take a difficult position, stand up to the mere masses, the angry plebes, the mourning know nothings. No, Congress was extraordinarily brave in protecting a small group of gun manufacturers against the vast majority of the people.
What courage. What moral fortitude. What an ethical, honorable stance Congress took.
So how did we come to this? At what point did Congress feel brave enough to drop even the pretense of honest governing?
Ever shop at a sneaky grocer, who would pack beautiful looking fruit or veggies in a plastic wrap, go home to cook, only find that he hid all the rotting parts inside? Yeah, me too. But that is what this Congress reminds me of.
They no longer govern for us. They do not represent us (despite their chest-pounding public statements to the contrary). They do not lead us, except astray.
This is a Congress that is part and parcel owned by lobbyists, by a few incredibly rich benefactors, and by those who do not you and my best interests at heart. They were bought, paid for, and are totally beholden to a limited few, precisely the opposite of what our founding fathers intended.
Now that I think about it, (as much as it pains me to say it) some of the ideas that drove folks to Tea Parties begin to make sense. I do not agree with LESS GOVERNMENT and NO TAXES, which crowd out their other messages. But, every Tea Bagger I have talked to wants medical marijuana. Now. Every one I spoke with thinks that lobbyists have too much control. And except for one, who is with the sheriff's police, every one of them thinks that the military budget is too big.
For many months I have poured scorn on the Tea Baggers, denouncing them, their ideas, and gleefully laughing at their idiotic hats and signs. Now, I may have to reconsider my tactics. Perhaps working with them would offer something good. So long as they leave Michelle and Sarah at home.
I suspect another thing they would accept? Removal of today's congress. They are so ripe that their "USE BY" has expired.
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