Events in Washington yesterday and last week strongly resembled a dangerously hapless, self-serving group of clowns. In Congress they debated and debated about whether to shut down the entire US Government. Imagine that. National parks closed — with all those special events abruptly cancelled. Washington DC closed to tourists. The US Post Office going dark. Everyday workers living paycheck to paycheck, suddenly not getting one. No pay for our troops, those people who work 24/7/365 to keep the nation — you, me, our friends and famiies — safe. How many of them, do you suppose, have enough in savings to miss a paycheck or two or more? The Washington clowns, however, are exempt from that; the Constitution says they keep getting their paychecks.
At the eleventh hour, some sort of compromise was reached and a stopgap measure was put in place. It postponed the shutdown for 45 days (tick, tick), but does not extend our aid to Ukraine for that period. I guess they think it would be better to send our unpaid troops when Putin overruns Ukraine and keeps going into Romania, Poland, and beyond. Can you say “World War III”?
But are they busy in Washington working out a compromise before the end of the 45 days? Hell, no. Yesterday they spent their time kicking out House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And they won’t do anything about replacing him until next Tuesday. Meantime, no Speaker means no government business being conducted, no action on the budget, the looming (again) shutdown, etc.
I’m reminded of a verse from Judy Collins’ song “Send in the Clowns”:
Don’t you love farce?
My fault, I fear
I thought that you’d want what I want
Sorry, my dear!
But where are the clowns
Send in the clowns
Don’t bother, they’re here
If ever there was an appropriately named and documented essay on Washington DC idiots, this is it.
Thank you. I’m sitting here turning purple with anger and frustration. Not a good look. I may have said it better back in 2013 (“Knock it off, Washington”), but I’m not sure. Which is worse at governing, a bunch of children or a bunch of clowns?
Clowns. Clowns are worse. Kids will make up, play together the next day, and grow up. Clowns are just clowns and always will be.
And yet I fear that these very clowns will be re-elected, next time. Were they not, by and large, after the last fiasco ?
We the people (even though I’m not one of you, we have our own versions of this ludicrous and self-serving behaviour) do not take our voting responsibilities seriously – and come to think of it, you guys just opt out !
At least we have to show up ..
Yes, well, that’s part of our problem … responsible, thoughtful voters not voting and thereby allowing the clowns to win. Of course, the clowns get to vote, too. On the other hand, your system might cause resentment among those who would rather not vote or for whom getting out to vote is a hardship. Or do you also have mail-in ballots? I really cherish that convenience here.
Crikey ! – would you believe, Colorado, that I’m not sure ? I don’t think we do – except under circumstances of inability to get to polling booths .. But then I recall that there are definitely postal votes .. that cause nail-biting if voting’s close because they’re not counted till last or something.
I have just showed myself as ignorant while criticising others. Hmph !!
It strikes me as particularly appropriate that today, in the middle of all the craziness in Washington …. there was a test of the National Emergency Alert system.
#$%^&^%
Glory be! In spite of the ineffective clowns for which this screed is dedicated, Ms. Susan has successfully affected a return to normality in so far as commenting without having to routinely re-establish my identity. Hoo Rah!!!
I did? I have? Guess I’d better not touch anything else now for fear of breaking something. You wouldn’t believe the stress levels I’ve hit in the last week …
Jordan as Speaker is sure to be a joke
Not as big a joke as the ex pres would be.
Truth!