A Legacy

The crescendo gets louder by the minute.

I find it difficult to comprehend that none of them are listening. Amazing because now the noise is strident and raucous and persistent. I can’t remember ever hearing so many voices raised in anger.

It’s strange that apparently, they don’t hear the shouting or feel the rage. It is spreading with the speed of a contagious disease, and it appears incongruous that 535 people are all apparently so insulated they are unable to feel the pulsing vibrations of anger.

One by one, in their summer suits, white shirts and designer ties, members of both political parties appear for a brief moment or two on each of the major news programs. Yet none of them seem to be even remotely aware of the tumultuous voices echoing across the country.

Nine months ago our country spoke. The citizens of the land gave a commitment to members of the U.S. Senate and members of the U.S. Congress. However, they were also given a mission to perform once they arrived in Washington. The mandate they received was to make changes and do them quickly

The voters expected the new Congress to fulfill the promises they had uttered while campaigning. Every one of them had made assurances to their constituents that change would occur after January 21.

The people naively believed the newly elected representatives would honor their word and healing would begin within the coming months.

It has not happened and apparently, will not be happening in the foreseeable future.

Of course, there are excuses and half hearted apologies. Reluctantly, a long anticipated recess has been delayed. Since few of the people who vote share the luxury of extended vacations, there has not been a vast surge of sympathy. At least none that I have heard.

What I do hear echoing is the cold raw anger motivated by disbelief. There is an unprecedented fury at the lack of concern that 535 elected members of Congress seemingly have for the citizens of this land. It is indeed sad and difficult to explain the absolute lack of comprehension that is apparent as one by one they stand in front of microphones and make lackluster excuses for failing totally and absolutely in their job. Apparently, they do not have the emotional depth or empathy to absorb the image of failure they project to the nation.

I think that is the most insulting aspect of this scenario; the reality that an elected Congress of the United States of America is so appallingly insensitive to the fury in the land. The voters, who once believed in the campaign commitments they heard last November, are now unforgiving.

Neither excuses nor apologies are any longer acceptable. Unless something changes, miraculously and unexpectedly, within the next few days, each and every member of the Congress of summer 2017 will always be remembered individually by one word failure. It will not be a legacy forgotten and possibly the end of many political careers. But sadly, also, the end of trust in a government for the people