The leap year dance
Somewhere in Walla Walla Washington:
Demarco blurted: “Here we go again, another election year, another salvo of lies and accusations.”
Rephael bemused: “Oh, come on. It is fun to see politicians slither and squirm for a vote. It is the only occasion we can do to them what they do to us the rest of the time.”
“At the end they end up doing the same things and we are the only ones getting squeezed.” “I realize that. But they have to face us once in a while and answer questions. In a dictatorship, that does not happen.”
“I know, I know” Demarco confessed “I am not against the system. I am against the corrupt politicians.”
“What corrupt politicians?” Rephael inquired. “What are you talking about?”
“Well you know, the senators and representatives that add pork and pet projects to any legislation that cost tax payers billions every time they meet. The worst part of it is that they are a bunch of libertines, hypocrites and crooks yet they get elected year after year.”
“Oh, that! That is not their corruption. They represent us; the corrupt people.”
“What are you talking about? I am not corrupt. I work hard, pay my taxes and do not break any laws. They are the ones costing taxpayers like me a lot of money and live life like there is no tomorrow. They do not represent me!”
Rephael explained: “We live in the same district right? We both voted and who did we vote for? The guy that brought in the most federal dollars to help build our city and fight crime. I mean that is why we voted for him in the first place, right?”
“Yes, we voted for him because he brought in money for critical city projects. What’s your point? We needed that money and if the feds do not give it to us what good are they?”
“Well, where do you think the federal dollars come from?”
Demarco protested: “Again, I am not corrupt. We use the money properly. We do not build bridges from nowhere to nowhere, open useless museums no one goes to, or build monuments for events no one cares about.”
“I am sure if you ask all the other people they will say the same thing about their politicians too.”
“This is the truth, not an excuse. My representatives are honest and hardworking. It is not my fault they have seniority and are good at their jobs. They are bringing a little money to improve our lives. Those other people need to look into their own representatives to see what is wrong with them or maybe even elect someone new.”
Rephael then said: “So their representatives lose the seniority that they have? You call the other politicians corrupt but ours honest and hardworking. Here is how it really works: we reelect them so they gain seniority. Seniority brings in chairmanship to committees, chairmanships give control over the language of legislation, and finally items that benefit our district is penciled in by the chairman. Ultimately, we are the greedy corrupt ones and our representatives are the reflection of that corruption. If they do not do this they will lose their next election because we will not vote for someone that cannot bring in the dough.”
“I cannot accept that.” Demarco summarized.
“Accept what you want, but we have to get back to work because people are counting on us. The National History of Widgets Museum’s floor needs it fifth polishing.”