A Damned Fine Idea
My beloved had a thought that was good, and must be promoted. What she proposes is that the newly elected Democratic congress engage in a bit of political theater. After the swearing in, and the call to order, all Democratic representatives, House and Senate, remove their expensive jackets, loosen their $100 ties, roll up their sleeves, and Speaker Pelosi (and Senate Majority Leader Reid) announce loudly:
We work for the American people, and we're here to do the work. If you have a problem with that, then there's the door. The job starts now.
I don't kid myself that this would ever happen. But it would sure have an impact on the American people if it did. Let's not ever forget that they work for us. Ever.
Better still: have them all change out of their stupid suits and fancy clothes and put on REAL working clothes: blue jeans and tee-shirts (or flannel shirts).
Seriously. THAT will go a long way towards making them seem truly HUMAN and connected to the vast majority of Americans.
Symbolic, yes, but symbolism can be powerful.
Hell of a lot more comfortable, too.
Posted by: david | November 13, 2006 at 06:30 PM
Another good start would be to announce that business, including roll call votes, will begin promptly at 8am on Monday and proceed until 6pm on Friday. This Tuesday-Thursday with the exception of caucus lunches, and other meetings needs to be curtailed.
Posted by: JP | November 13, 2006 at 06:48 PM
All I can say is Hell Yeah!
Posted by: Colby Natale | November 13, 2006 at 09:20 PM
Until the Democrats prove that they can walk the walk, I'd find such demonstrations of spine and integrity a little hypocritical.
Let's not forget that until very recently most of these people supported the war and voted for most of the nasty stuff the president asked them to sign off on. And not only on Iraq and the War On Terror, but the civil rights stuff as well. DMCA? Gay marriage? Separation of church and state? Katrina finger pointing? Privacy protection?
Where were these people a couple years ago? Throwing down their jackets and ties and taking a stand? Or sitting on their hands and pouting?
It's easy to stage such theater when you're in the majority. Even if you're there through no fault of your own. I'm glad the Democrats are in the majority now, but I'll be judging them by their actions rather than their theater. And their actions over the last few years have left me pretty disgusted.
Posted by: Jon | November 14, 2006 at 07:40 AM
Sorry, Bucko. Not here you don't. W.
Posted by: Enlightenment | November 14, 2006 at 03:41 PM