Governing Like Surfing: Catching The Waves

It's safe to say most learned and interested parties believe the best government is built from a considered consensus. At least, I'd like to believe that is safe to say, because the alternative would be government hastily concocted from ill-considered partisanship. Oh wait ...

I try to mentally place myself in our Congress (since no electoral body ever will), and wonder what I would do and how I would behave. Would I take the time to tackle the thorny issues in topics like health care reform, to get it done correctly so it could last, or would I rush to get any kind of health bill passed while the public's attention is focused on it? Would I suffer any sort of compromise just to 'strike while the iron is hot', so to speak?

From my safe imaginary role as a Senator (why imagine small), I can tell you I would take my time and not worry about the whims of the voting public. I would rally my compatriots and reach across party lines to craft a comprehensive, lasting legislation that would measurably improve the lives of all Americans. But that's why I am sitting here, typing this, and not on capitol hill busily bettering our lives.

To ignore the crest of public sentiment and move so slowly as to let it pass - to miss the wave, would allow any legislation's enemies (and there will always be some) to gather resources to block or kill it. Hence the rush to get anything acceptable through and out before we, the public, lose interest and move on to 'American Idol', or whatever drivel the cable news wonks are subliminally pressing into our subconscious today.

So, if the congressional antics unfolding daily seem sometimes like a tempest in a teapot, understand it is all directed at us. All the hustle, the bustle, the timely Rush Limbaugh miscues, the funny bits on Stewart and Colbert - are all directed to get our attention while we care to give it. Surf's Up!