The messages people don't want to hear

by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.    

What prompted me to make a return visit to my seven “Messages” essays is the current state of politics in America.  This is not designed as a political essay, and I am trying not to take sides; however, the political climate, best symbolized in the expression, “the party of ‘no,’” brought my “Messages” essays to mind.  I haven’t written an essay entitled, “Messages Politicians Need to Hear,” but the political climate certainly encourages me to make the effort.  It would easily fall into line with six of the other seven “Messages” essays, the essential message of which is: “take responsibility for yourself and your behavior.”
    
Forget about potential political ramifications; forget about the rejectionist strategy they're following (oppose Democratics at every turn, regardless of policy difference) as a political tool; and forget prognosticators who predict outcomes of such behavior (benefits or mistakes?), because what it all boils down to—no matter which side you’re on—a complete abdication of responsibility.  It’s obstructionist politics and political score settling at its worst, and it is our country and its citizens who suffer the most.  

It doesn’t matter what the issue is, whether it is spending, taxes, unemployment benefits, jobs, the environment, support for small businesses, energy, intervention in the economy, etc., one side is opposed to change of any kind if it is supported by the administration.  That doesn’t reveal politicians representing their citizens and the country.  (Of course, some would claim that’s exactly what it is.)  What does it reveal?  Selfishness, self-interest, self-serving, self-indulgent, and self-importance.  
    
When it all comes down to the two positions: 1) Democrats are helped if any bill passes, and, 2) Republicans make gains if any bill the administration supports fails, then our country and its citizens are left bereft of any concern by those chosen to represent them.  Our country and its citizens are, as a result, not part of the equation and play no role in what takes place in congress..  
    
It is too bad that integrity, common sense, and responsibility are not characteristics one would assign to most of our congressmen.  It’s too bad that more of them cannot feel liberated from an urgent need to satisfy their interpretation of the feelings and needs of their constituents as well as their donors and interest groups.   It’s too bad more of them cannot become freed from the shackles of party loyalty and be spared attack by the opposition so they can vote intelligently, vote their conscience, and vote in favor of positive, productive change for the good.  It is only upon the announcement of retirement when this can or does this take place—if at all.
    
Here is what Lee Hamilton, vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission, served for 34 years in Congress representing Indiana's Ninth District, currently serving on the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council, and director of the Woodrow Wilson Center on Congress at Indiana University, writes about the job of a congressman, “Politicians keep the country going by accommodating different points of view and developing consensus. It really does take a lot of skills to be an effective congressman, but the skill of bringing people together, finding agreed-upon solutions to our nation's problems, is perhaps the greatest skill of all. Without that skill the country would come apart at the seams.”  That would be my expectation as well.  Does that sound like it represents politicians who have been labeled by some, “the party of ‘no’”?
    
I have always believed that my representatives—whether senators or members of the House---operate with the “consent of the governed.”  Their job is to strive to make sure that their constituents' voices are heard and their interests are fairly considered within the federal system.
    
As I was looking for information for this essay, I came across the following ezine@rticle, “A Job Description for Congress,” by S. Vance: 

          “Wanted. Genial, ethical, trustworthy, highly intelligent, photogenic worker who plays well     with others. Must be willing to fight tooth and nail for the interests of his or her region while also maintaining a national perspective [italics mine]. Will be responsible for approximately 750,000 to several million customers, depending on the region. Must be able to work independently, but not TOO independently.”
    
What I found interesting is that my seven essays on “Messages,” reflect many of the same problems even though they focus on other groups.  For example, “The Message Citizens Don’t Want to Hear,” discusses the responsibility that citizens have to vote: “The problem is that democracies require more than just an occasional vote from its citizens to remain healthy. It may well be that the lack of steady attention, time, and commitment from many people has resulted in where we are today and what we have. I’m not saying that it did, but I would contend that with greater information, more informed (and perhaps better) choices would and could be made.”  
    
In “The Message Men Don’t Want to Hear,” I claim, “If we are to have a generation of civil, slender, readers, with manners, then it is mandatory that parents take charge. Children and teenagers will be as responsible as their parents were in raising them. Sure, it’s a message parents don’t want to hear, but it is a message of parental responsibility that is important to society as well as the next generation.”  In “The Message Relationship Partners Don’t Want to Hear,” the problem is commitment: “One area of relationships those who are just starting out either don’t realize, don’t understand, or simply don’t know is what a “commitment” to a relationship means.”  Do our congressmen know what a commitment to represent our country and its citizens mean?
    
In the essay, “The Message Students Don’t Want to Hear,” I end the essay saying: “Drop the excuses, change your attitude, and recognize that it’s all up to you!”  In, “The Message Women Don’t Want to Hear,” my final line in the essay reads, “Just remember that, in the end, the burden for the strength and endurance of your relationship falls squarely on your shoulders.”
    
Here’s my point.  People must take responsibility for their lives, true, but they must be responsible, too, to the job at hand—whether it is citizens, relationship partners, men, women, or politicians.  They must take responsibility for those who voted them into office.  Voted them into office!
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Although the web site is biased, but Timothy Delasandro writes an interesting essay, “What We Want in Our Next Congressman."   His prerequisites: 1. We want a Congressman that will actually vote our values.  2.We want a Congressman that is available to us.  3. We want a Congressman that isn’t a professional politician.

At the Examiner web site, Dave Benjamin writes an essay entitled, “Congressman discusses responsibilities of office ‘It’s not easy,’  Holt says during visit to classes at Marlboro High School.”  Benjamin talks about Rep. Rush Holt and quotes him as saying: "It’s part of my job to give voice to what’s on your mind and to represent you in that way." But how long does this intention last when money, lobbyists, and special interests raise their ugly head.
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Copyright January, 2011, by And Then Some Publishing, LLC.