Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
Let's play a game. It's called "Crossing the Street with Your Congressman," and it was invented this morning while . . . well, it should be self-explanatory. CSWYC (trademark pending) is something like a cross between Twitter and those elevator speech contests.
This morning, while crossing the street, I realized the gentleman who had been waiting for the light opposite me was my Congressman, Representative Jim Cooper. My first instinct, as I gave him a nod of recognition, was to say "thanks for your hard work" or "thanks for representing us," ... but I've never voted for the guy and I disagree with most of his votes. The thought was a reflex rather than any sort of conscious attempt to say something meaningful, and by the time my brain activated we were again on opposite sides of the street.
Since then, I've been thinking about what I could've said. Cooper is a leader of the (greatly diminished) blue dog coalition. He talks a great game about fiscal responsibility, but all too often ends up voting the Democrat line. In fairness, Cooper's record does have some bright spots, including - among others - the gimmicky-but-still-appreciated "No Budget No Pay" Bill and a vote against Pelosi for Speaker last month. He is about as fiscally moderate a Democrat as one can find these days, but no one is going to suddenly convince him to jump into Boehner's arms. In other words, no point in yelling across the street, "You've gotta vote for huge cuts. YOU'VE GOTTA!" and expecting results.
Instead, I decided that, had my brain not been scuba diving in Bonaire, I would have simply said, "Congressman Cooper, keep at it. You guys have to come up with a permanent solution. No more kicking the can two months down the road."
So back to the game. You have two or three sentences to make any point to your member of Congress. What do you say?
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Sep '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
Your best options all require prep work. I'd adapt Jonah Goldberg's idea, and wear a giant debt clock as a necklace Flava Flav style.
Edited on February 23, 2013 at 1:59amJul '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
A nod or hello is fine, not every minute of everyday must be used to advance a political agenda.
Nov '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
Do I have to say anything? Can I just push them in front of a bus instead?
Dec '12
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
I had a shot at this exercise. I found myself standing at a urinal next to my congressman in the men's room at Reagan International. I thought about exposing him to my stream of thought, but, alas,I did/said nothing except to leave Mr. congressman wondering what the fella next to him was chuckling about.
Sep '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
I'm glad Fred went there. Because i typed out the push him into a bus comment, and then erased it.
Aug '10
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
If I saw my Member of Parliament crossing the street, I'd think about the vast number of angry and/or deranged phone calls, letters, and emails he has to respond to on a daily basis (including the ones I send him cuz I really, truly, dislike his politics, as well as his smug little rat-like face), and therefore I would leave the poor guy alone to cross the street in relative peace.
Aug '10
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
[Edited for CoC]. It's probably for the best that you didn't say.
Edited on February 22, 2013 at 11:49pmAug '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
My Congressman? How about "How does it feel to be little more than a rubber stamp for whatever Nancy Pelosi wants?"
Jul '10
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
"Hello.
My name is Inigo Montoya.
You killed my father.
Prepare to die."
Aug '10
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
What they do in Washington in their office versus what they might do on the street versus what they do when they are campaigning ?
Unfortunately as much difference as there might be in their response is a direct reflection on their character .
Have you ever seen the eyes of a congressman glaze over ? If you look right behind the earnest, it's off to the left .
Apr '12
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
I would tell them to stop stealing money from my children....actually I may scream it at them
Jun '10
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
Since mine is NRA F-rated, ACU 2010-0% 2011-4% David Price, I would probably just shake my head and go "Oh, Gawd.......you." and walk on.
Nov '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
My son found himself running beside Max Baucus for awhile, during the MT Governors Cup, year before last, and I had this same thought (MT is a small state population-wise as you know). Most of us on the Right are too polite and it was a beautiful day. However. I might've said something like, 'is it your drinking problem that has you supporting Obamacare, Barney Frank and that mess, and trying to lock up million of acres of land? Glad to see you on the road to recovery.' I will never forgive state Republicans for not running that clip over and over- or for not running somebody half way decent, as the other guy went to my church one time and he was horrible. Or I might have just said 'aren't you ashamed of yourself?'
Edited to add, my research was more than a visit in church for the Rep candidate. sheesh.
Edited on February 23, 2013 at 2:06amMay '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
I live in Los Angeles, and the question I always want to ask every one of my so-called representatives (from City Council up to Senator), but which I don't because it would be futile, is "What the f**k is wrong with you?" Someday I'm going to do it. But not until after I retire.
C of C me if you will, Ricochet Gods, but that's about as civilly as I can put it.
Dec '10
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
"Retire, already!"
Dec '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
My Congressperson is Anna Eshoo. I would ask her why she never, ever, makes a public appearance. No townhall meetings, no meetings of any kind, and she doesn't even appear during election season. She just wins because she's a democrat and incumbent, but still, I would tell her she should meet the people to represent them.
Jul '10
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
My representative is freshman Congresswoman Susan Brooks. I'd tell her not to let others stand on ceremony. That she likely will be told to keep her head down during this first term and that is bad advice. I would add that though most of much of her career has been serving as an appointee of a public official, she is now an appointee of the voters and she should take every opportunity to have direct contact with those who entrusted her with this difficult job.
Apr '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
My rep is Nancy Pelosi, so I value my Ricochet membership too much to answer this question.
May '11
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
How about: "Congressman, how many job-killing regulations can you pass crossing this street?"
Nov '10
Re: Crossing the Street with Your Congressman
I was trying to think of something I could imagine saying to him, but I think Fred's bus is a better idea.