Vexation

I have never been a big fan of politicians. As you may have surmised, I have a problem with egocentric self-serving bloviators who misuse their power.

I am a big fan of those in elected office who genuinely heed the call to make things better for the citizens of this country and others on the planet. I cannot, at this moment, cite the name of a single individual who meets this criteria. Give me a moment...(2 hours pass) Ok, Ok, I guess I am an unreasonable idealist. The system does not elect people who truly want to help others. Those who are elected are not the best and brightest; they tend to be the most ruthless and single-minded.

I am sad today. Last night, I stayed-up to watch the biggest and most vexing public relations stunt I have had the misfortune to witness on TV. It was put on by our elected officials in the House of Representatives. Fortunately, "Desperate Housewives" was a re-run, so there was not much competition for viewers who could tune in to C-Span and watch the spectacle.

In a nutshell, the Republicans managed to call a Sunday night primetime appearance to pass a bill to force the Federal court to review the Schievo case. Supporters of the bill were unconvinced by the Florida State Court system that had on 17 previous occasions decided that the poor woman who had no higher brain functions should no longer be kept alive by artificial means. The Democrats, to their credit, tried not to debate the right to life/die issue. Instead they maintained that this was a family issue that had already been decided in due legal process. Thus it did not apply to the nation and was not a matter for the US Congress to decide.

The irony of the situation made you want to laugh and cry at the same time. Here is the body of government that - just last week cut - the funding for starving children in the USA, and has consistently failed to provide decent health care benefits to war veterans. Moreover, you'd have thought that the USA was a Theocracy from the way US Reps were out there, quoting scripture and invoking the name of God.
As if they know what God wants.

The proponents of the bill have opened-up Pandora's Box. In a shameless play for the support of the religious Right, they have turned the US Congress into a dysfunctional claque of special interests - for sale to the highest bidder.

I have to go now, and write a letter to my congressman. Maybe they will pass a law to help me to get my old job back.