THE "DR. SEUSS" DILEMMA

“And Sally and I did not know what to do, so we had to shake hands with

Thing 1 and Thing 2.”

Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat – 1957, Random House/Beginner Books.

* * *

I originally wanted to title this piece, The Truth About Cats and Dogs. But I recently read the children’s classic, The Cat in the Hat to my daughter last week, and I thought it would be more appropriate.

Every two years we have Congressional elections in the United States. Every four years we have Presidential and Gubernatorial elections in the United States, with Senatorial elections staggered in between.

Unfortunately during these election cycles, we share the same dilemma that Sally and her brother shared in facing the Cat in the Hat’s playthings. We had to choose between Thing #1 (Democrats) and Thing #2 (Republicans).

In its most positive and generous light, Thing #1 “traditionally stands for the right of the poor to government assistance; the right of ethnic and religious minorities to an equal place in our society; regulation of big business and trade; protection of the environment; multilateral nuclear disarmament; and increased foreign aid to impoverished countries.” (http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2007/6/8/121250/0438 by Just060807)

However, it could also be argued, that Thing #1 stands for higher taxes, less choice, anti-war, pro-abortion, socialist policies pertaining to health care, finance and government; and activist judges who legislate their own agenda.

In its most positive and generous light, Thing #2 “traditionally stands for the right to life of each human person from conception to death; a free marketplace; limited government; a strong (but not bloated) national defense; secure borders; fiscal responsibility; and strict interpretation of the Constitution.” (http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2007/6/8/121250/0438 by Just060807)

However, it could also be argued that Thing #2 stands for Big Business, Big Oil, pro-war (declared war or otherwise), legislative morality, and beholden to corporate lobbyists' direction.

There is another option, however. I promise that I will work tirelessly for you. Like you, I cringe when I hear politicians say that they will “fight for you”, and “create jobs.” The truth is, it is expected that an elected representative will fight for you; Otherwise, what is he or she doing running for office? And the most basic way to create jobs is to ease the suffocating tax burden on both individuals and businesses. There is anger, discouragement, fear and discontent out there, and it seems to come from the massive disconnect between the elected and the voters that put them there.

As soon as I take the Congressional Oath of Office*, I first plan to attach two amendments to ANY bill introduced on the House Floor.

1st - All members of Congress hereby affirm that he or she has read, in its entirety, the entire bill herein introduced.

That way, we will never have a House member state, "We have to pass the bill to find out what is in it."

2nd - All members of Congress shall be subject to the bill herein introduced, and agree to be subject to its provisions, should it be passed into law.

The health care bill passed into law at over 2000+ pages, and the financial reform bill (which at this date is expected to clear the Senate with 60 votes), and weighs in at another 2000+ pages of length. If these laws directly affect these members of Congress, perhaps they may take better care to pass laws that protect us all. Just a thought.

* Congressional Oath of Office: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."