Mark His Words

Many authors in times past have had unique commentary on the politics of the time. None seemed particularly enamored of politicians in general or Congressmen [male or female, and to include the Senators] in particular. And among the greater minds commenting on this subject was Mark Twain.

"Fleas can be taught anything that a Congressman can."

Congress isn't very popular these days---and with good reason. Over the last few years in particular, the work of Congress hasn't been above average in any way. Bills and attitudes have been far away from the good of the people but close to the interests of the same Congressmen and their friends.

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."

Some Congressmen have been investigated for wrong-doing---though nowhere near enough---some convicted, and some running for the hills of their home states. And we still have un-convicted [and convicted] Ku Klux Klanners, manslaughterers, and bribe takers representing us. Constituent approval ratings have hovered in the single digits. Yet these criminals continue to be elected and ply their 'wares.'

"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress."

And what about our courts? Noteworthy is the Supreme Court, where there may be several replacement justices in the next several years. They won't be Conservatives, that's for sure.

"I hate to hear people say this Judge will vote so and so, because he is a Democrat -- and this one so and so because he is a Republican. It is shameful. The Judges have the Constitution for their guidance; they have no right to any politics save the politics of rigid right and justice when they are sitting in judgment upon the great matters that come before them."

Unfortunately, a Liberal judge will always gum up the wheels of progress. There is a solid track record here. Legislating from the bench has been and will always be a problem---and yet it remains so very popular.

And what about the current crop of 'journalists?' I speak softly there because the journalism today is not what it has been in the past. It was more civil back in Twain's day, and he still had little good to say about the practitioners. Even in Franklin Roosevelt's time there was more civility. Case in point was the unwritten rule that no photographs of the President's crutches and braces were ever shown in the newspapers or newsreals. There were other such civilities from the press, notably in the war where so many embedded journalists wrote about the war with the idea of a victory in mind. Today, America is at fault---especially President Bush---for seemingly every conflict and problem in the World.

"That awful power, the public opinion of a nation, is created in America by a horde of ignorant, self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditching and shoemaking and fetched up in journalism on their way to the poorhouse."

So, it seems Mark Twain---more than a hundred years ago---recognized the present and future pulse of Congress and Journalism. We've seen both fail us in numerous ways, and I don't expect it to stop. It's too bad honest people in Congress never seem to get the important leadership positions. If they could, they might be able to raise the Congressional approval rating a few points.

'Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.'