One More Look at Ridiculous World of Politics

The battle for Speaker of the House was irresistible to watch – irresistible in the same way a horrific car crash on the interstate is as you drive by.

And even though most of the mess happened a week ago, it behooves us to not let this fiasco slip past like the regular stream of waste we’re so accustomed to from Washington. Why? Because this is a perfect example of not only what’s wrong with politics, but what’s wrong with how we accept it.

First, the general news about the 14 failed ballots to select a speaker of the house focused on the 20 or so disruptors. These lawmakers were the problem, we were told. And time and again, the other 200 or so representatives sent out tweets, e-mails and messages to their constituents explaining:

a) Why this process takes time

b) How it’s not as bad as it looks

c) And why these 20 or so are the problem

Not so fast my friends!

Of course the process takes time, and time is exactly what Republican lawmakers had from the end of the election in November when it was apparent they were back in the majority. Why couldn’t the Grand Old Party come to some decision in the almost two months since then?

But you know what, let’s give them that one. After all, we had the Christmas break and far be it from us peasants to expect our nation’s elected elite to work over the holidays . . . Like! The! Rest! Of! Us!

That still leaves the pathetic points of it not being as bad as it looked, and why those who held up the coronation of Kevin McCarthy were the problem.

It absolutely was as bad as it looked! The problems with politics in general today, and specifically inside the beltway, are too numerous to detail. But here’s a few:

• Everything is decided on what’s best for one party or the other, not the country
• The fat in government is so outrageously overwhelming it’s obscene
• Lawmakers live by their own set of rules while we’re given another
• Lobbyists and money influence (i.e., determine) far too many decisions
• There are too many career politicians who have never worked a real job in their lives

That’s just for starters.

Let’s be clear, those 20 were the heroes not the bad guys.

They were vilified, accused of being “far-right” and a bunch of other labels that have become watchwords in today’s world. It used to be conservative and liberal weren’t negative terms. When did that change? About the same time as when folks decided you were either on their team or you were the enemy. Forget the idea that two good people can hold opposing points of view and in the process find better outcomes. That’s long gone. The 20 or so who said they wouldn’t go along with Kevin McCarthy as the speaker cited valid objections. Maybe you agreed with them, maybe you didn’t. But that’s what a lot of them got elected for, to help – what’s that term? – drain the swamp. For that, they got pummeled instead of respected.

Perhaps I’m overreacting here? Maybe I’m just on my soapbox – again. Maybe, but I don’t think so. We, as in We The People, have become resigned to the outrageous things going on in our country. We accept this sort of absurd politics as normal, never stopping to think that this is the first time in 100 years the House failed to elect a speaker on the first vote. We take in stride – or apathy – a ton of other things that defy logic in today’s world.

It’s time, no, it’s past time, for us to stand up and say enough is enough. There’s an old saying – politics as usual. We have the power to give that a whole new definition. We’d be better off if we do exactly that.

Two cents, which is about how much Timmons said his columns are worth, appears periodically on Thursdays in The Times. Timmons is the chief executive officer of Sagamore News Media, the company that owns The Noblesville Times. He is also a proud Noblesville High School graduate and can be contacted at ttimmons@thetimes24-7.com.