Because I’m now in Congress to serve you well
I work on legislation with no chance in Hell
to make it to a White House signing ceremony
Where I pose next to Obama with his arm around me.
(Chorus) Look– he just got a selfi with president–see!
Now my buddies went after healthcare because it’s just too big–
it makes government a business; (but let me keep this gig).
Three years ago we passed a bill to kill Obamacare
But the Senate didn’t buy it and it went nowhere.
(Chorus) No the Senate didn’t buy it because they just don’t care.
So we sent a variation as a compromise
But those liberal left-wing bastards had the other guys.
More than 40 times we tried it with the same result
And the country says I’m not acting like a mature adult.
(Chorus) And we take that as an insult ‘cause it’s not our fault.
It’s true everyone says Congress is a bunch of fools
Sure, we haven’t done a darn thing but we’ve kept our rule.
‘Cuz we represent The People, working Americans
It’s the other side that’s focused on shenanigans.
We’ve tried to explain our position on Hannity
(It’s the only television for sanity)
Spending all the airtime to say “they’re wrong”
Talking points with no solution is our favorite song.
(Chorus) If we ever offered answers, we might get along
After working a few hours we find a microphone
To tell The People we represent them, that they’re not alone.
But their opinion puts us lower than a Kardashian
In November keep the progress and vote me in.
(Chorus) Vote against opponents–let us keep our job.
It’s sad when little things are celebrated. I’m not talking about smiles or opening the door for someone but, rather, something small like agreeing to have a conversation even though the person with whom you are about to converse comes from a different planet (you know, if I was to talk to a person from a different planet, I’d have to joint the tin foil hat club).
In this case, however, “different planet” is the current world(s) we find ourselves in because political parties prefer to point fingers rather than talk to eachother.
But a little thing is a great thing when it comes to a conversation between President Obama and Texas Governor Rick Perry (OK, see where the “different planet” thing came from?).
The president is going to Dallas to raise money for Democrats while the usual chorus of “Here’s what you should do” is saying he needs to visit a border patrol camp along the Mexico/Texas border since 50,000 people from Central America are showing up to seek a better life in America. The word I keep hearing is “optics.” Having the president at the border is supposed to change things instead of having conversations with his staff and leaders from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras about those countries having a role in this mess. Note to the pundits: it is taking place and I know that sucks the air out of the ranting. What we see isn’t what occurs and if one spends time only with “optics” that suggests talking isn’t needed. Quite frankly, if there’s conversation underway, the president can shoot pool. It really doesn’t bother me.
You want optics? There’s an immigration bill passed by the Senate that has been waiting for the House to vote and it’s been there for a year. Of course, that stuff kind of “optics” can’t be seen and people on the Hill say it would pass if allowed for a vote.
In the Big Picture view, the Governor of Texas had earlier said he had no plan to meet with the President which can be read by the always-loud-back-of-the-school-bus group as a macho move. Governor Perry has shown he’s bigger than that and, unfortunately, I find myself thinking this is a good thing when it should be a normal way of doing business. Talk to the other side to fix things. It works. It’s always worked. Optics aren’t needed…..imagine that?
My experience in dealing with the opposition is after you get past the words, there’s usually someone who is actually likeable. Sometimes, to get to a solution, you have to not talk about the problem and instead, talk to the person. Communication has never been a straight line.
They may not agree about what to do with border security. Governor Perry may say the 3.7 billion dollars requested by the White House to deal with the sudden border issue is a dumb idea. But however that discussion goes, it’s steps above the usual way of shouting and saying what’s wrong instead of agreeing on what’s right and then, looking together in an all-too-rare effort to say–together– “what’s next”?