Most of us have now had time to digest the State of the Union Address and have watched the Baltimore Belting between the President and the Republican Representatives from the House. I thought the State of the Union was a nice laundry list, hopefully giving those who hide in the halls of the Capitol an idea of what they should be doing. The Baltimore meeting was unprecedented and a welcome change for those of us who watched.
All that said, the aftermath has been anything but positive. As the Sunday talk shows reeled off their guest lists, it was remarkable how representative members of each party seemed to warm to the idea of working together as long as the other side of the table was willing to give in. In other words, there has been lots of nice talk.
To that end, let me share an old trick used by many southern belles, past and present. And, don’t think southern belles are not politically savvy! Any southern woman worth her salt can smile at her adversary, listen politely, and at the conclusion of the conversation smile, nod, and say, “That’s nice.” Well, as one of those old southern belles, let me tell you up front that “that’s nice” is a synonym for “f^&* you.” We are just too polite to use the F-word publicly.
Here is my point. One would have thought that the idea of working together had been covered. So, when are “they” going to actually start working? In my opinion, they are not going to work. With the Scott Brown win in Massachusetts, the Republicans have decided they can be the party of “no.” They are feeling their oats and want to enjoy the feast for as long as possible. As they see it now is not the time to start giving in to anything that starts with a “D,” large or small. Quite honestly, some of the Big D’s in the House and the Senate are equally unwilling to work with the Republicans.
Both parties seem to want to “fix” the middle class. Both parties, including the President, have no idea what the middle class is or what our struggles are. Certainly, some of those in the Capitol have middle class roots. However, let’s get real. Once they make the swearing in ceremonies giving them an office under the dome, they are looking forward and forgetting the past.
That leaves me to wonder:
- How many in the House or Senate worry about getting sick and having to go to the hospital?
Oh! I forgot, they have insurance but are not willing to share it with America. And, let us not forget the Office of Attending Physician, the in the building doctor/doctors who can call in any specialist in the world to attend a member of the Capitol Hill Gang.
Pardon me for not believing that they are worried about my health or health care plan. Just give us the option to have the same plan you have and hey! health care reform is done.
- How many in the House or Senate have a mortgage that is underwater or upside down?
Oops! I forgot. Some of them get special treatment. (Chris Dodd, to name one.)
- How many in the House and Senate are being consumed by credit card debt?
Oops! I forgot. They get so many perks that they paid off the credit cards years ago.
- How many of those in the House or Senate are looking for a job?
None. But, most should be. Either way, today every member of Congress is getting a full paycheck.
As Congress moves forward — more likely backward — I have little faith they will get past the finger pointing and the rhetoric of “we need to work together.” To that, this old southern belle smiles, nods, and says, “That’s nice.”
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