Aw, Grow Up

For the first time in a few years, I watched the State of the Union Address. Probably won’t do that again for a while.

A clear majority of the politicians presently “serving” in Congress just drive me up the wall; not all, but most. I feel better if I just ignore them. Mark Twain shared a great observation of Congress when he said, “Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.”

Thankfully both sides of the aisle are equally goofy. That way I don’t feel the need to pick on just one party. I am an equal opportunity critic. My problem with Congress is that those people were sent to Washington to represent us – you and me. And they do nothing but serve themselves. It is all about power, recognition, money and being reelected. One of my basic questions is, “How does a man or woman of the middle class go to Washington, earn an average salary and come home a multimillionaire?” It is easy to see that something is wrong with that picture.

And then they spend their time and energy playing to their crowd instead of making decisions based on what is best for the most people. Just pass legislation that fulfills the government’s responsibility to do what it was designed to do. The basic functions of the United States government are listed in the Constitution. They are: to form a more perfect union; to establish justice; to insure domestic tranquility; To provide for the common defense; To promote the general welfare of the people; and to secure the blessings of liberty. Pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, again, it has become about getting reelected and sitting at the seat of power by convincing, us, the voters, that we just can’t get along without them by providing what we think they owe us.

I know this will not go down well with the “Kool-Aid” drinkers from both sides of the aisle. Those who are completely indoctrinated just can’t believe there is anything wrong with their representatives. If you are a Kool-Aid drinker I would strongly advise you to spit it out before it poisons you. Sadly, both major political parties are just the same, they just jabber with different words. They are both sold out to big business and would do anything for your vote and more money.

Watching the SOTUS was both funny and sad. Every time Trump paused, all of the Republicans in the room stood and cheered wildly. It was if he had just scored the winning basket in the NCAA National Championship game. Whether what was said made sense or not, the mandatory ovation took place. Occasionally, he had to stop and stare at them to get the required applause.

And then there were the lock-step, zombie Democrats. Nancy and Charlie told them to sit down and shut up and they did as they were told. I got to be funny. Trump announced that unemployment for blacks and Hispanics was at an all-time low. The Dems sat and scowled. Really? The party of the blacks and Hispanics isn’t pleased with that bit of news? Really? 24 million jobs have been created. Dems sit and scowl. Really. These people are pathetic.

Here is a great idea. (Even if I have to say so myself.) Everyone who has served more than three terms, retire. Mitch McConnell should just go home tomorrow. (I used to be proud of my last name.) And commit Pelosi and Schumer to the mental institute they must have escaped from.

Copyright © 2018, William T. McConnell, All Rights Reserved

Bill McConnell is the Interim Minister at Norwood Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a Church Transformation consultant and a Christian Leadership Coach. He is a frequent speaker at Church Transformation events. His latest book on church transformation is DEVELOPING A SIGNIFICANT CHURCH and is available at Westbow Press.

He can be contacted @ bill45053@gmail.com. Connect with him on Facebook @ William T. McConnell or on Twitter @billmc45053 or visit his Amazon Author Page @ Amazon