Barrett Rainey's Second Thoughts

• REPRESENTATIVE:  “a: Standing or acting for another through delegated authority;” “b: …(c)onstituting a government in which the many are represented by persons chosen…by election”

It’s no secret some members of the U.S. Congress are “un-representative;” they don’t give two hoots in Hell about what the constituency thinks or expects from their Potomac residency.  Despite what the good folks at Merriam-Webster have to say.

That comes as no surprise.  But, never has it been so brazenly and gutlessly demonstrated as it has in the last few years.

Even the most unbiased observer would have to admit the more egregious examples of un-representative votes come from Republicans far more than Democrats.  In overwhelming numbers, folks at home – voters who elected those “un-representatives” – told them how they felt on one issue after another.  But, with a consistency rarely found in politics, the “un-representatives” – Republicans mostly – ignored them.

It’s widely accepted, when considering a new President’s appointees, a lot of latitude is given to the Chief Executive to have the crew he wants.  Often, this means swallowing hard because of a nominee’s tenuous talents to serve in a particular post.   But this batch!  Front to back – top to bottom – monied fools whose “leadership” abilities stopped far short of the vaguest qualifications.  One, in fact, didn’t know for two days after confirmation what his new job would be – believing it was to travel the world to promoting this country’s oil and gas industries.  A reporter had to “‘splain it” to the energy secretary.

“Un-representative” members of the Senate bellied up to the bar to approve nearly everyone that reached the Senate floor.

Idaho had to look no further than Sens. Risch and Crapo to find what voters wanted them to do didn’t matter.  Neither would meet with constituents – wouldn’t talk to them at district offices – wouldn’t come to the phone or return emails.  In fact, neither would even make public what the public said about the list of unqualified nominees.  Finally, one clerk in Crapo’s employ let slip that opposition to the Dept. Of Education chief was over 95%!  Still, you know who ol’ Mike confirmed.  Yep, he went with the 5%.

In state after state – district after district – across the nation, members of Congress “holed up.”  Wouldn’t meet – wouldn’t talk – wouldn’t be interviewed – wouldn’t answer mail or phones.  Some locked office doors – doors voters paid for in federal buildings we own.  It was in your face.  Our face.  Locked doors and unanswered phones.

One flat out lie came from un-Rep. Cathy McMorriss Rogers, the highest ranking woman in the GOP in the House, whose home office is in Spokane.  She told voters she’d meet but only two at a time since “the fire marshal had written her that was the most people that could be in her office at once.” “Safety,” you know.  Except he didn’t write.  In fact, he said her office could “safely” handle 30 people.

Two reasons for this chicken-heartedness, I think.  First, lobbyists with pockets full of money.  Oil and gas people turned on all the money spigots for the EPA chief, for example.  Big bucks flooded in to D.C..  Textbook publishers and private charter school companies trucked in loads of greenbacks for the most unqualified billionaire ever to buy the Secretary of Education’s job.  And so it went.  Voices of greed outweighed voices of voters and filthy lucre supplanted “the right thing to do.”

Second, our un-representatives – mostly Republican – are scared to death of Trump.  Terrified of retribution – of having a primary opponent at home – of having continued employment ended.  They lack guts to do their jobs for fear they’ll be violently ripped from the public trough in an act of Trump pique.

It’s doubtful the dollars will stop rolling in.  So, there’ll likely be that obstacle between voters and members of Congress until that Citizens United decision is eventually overturned.  But, the fear factor may soon strike the Senate.  If six or eight Republican members – enough to sway the balance of voting – decide to do what’s right, Trump will cease to be an employment or career threat.  Then we may begin to see some semblance of independence.

However all that may turn out, there’s a lesson here we voters must not forget.  While November is a ways off – and some members won’t be up for re-election even then – we must remember who the “un-representatives” are.  We need to clearly recall, when we needed them to do the job we gave them, they didn’t show up.  When we, in large numbers, needed to talk to them about what we wanted, they locked their doors and took their phones off the hook.

When we were paying them to do their jobs, others were paying them not to.

Posted in Column | | Comments Off on Un-representative

For all useful purposes, the national Republican Party has been “done in.” At least temporarily.

With the firing of former exec Ronna McDaniel – Mitt Romney’s niece – and the pending appointment of DJT’s daughter-in-law as her replacement, the “Grand Old Party” has become a “rump” business of the Trump family.

No longer the need for senior execs getting jobs from various Republican sources.  No longer the need for constituent “appointments” by rich and prominent players.  No longer a place for senior Republicans in Congress to “pay off” supporters needing temporary employment.

No, Sir!  The place is now a “family enterprise” of the Trump dynasty.

Given how Judge Engeron dropped the hammer on Donald last week, ol’ DJT himself may need to file an employment application.

Also troubling for the GOP is the bickering and back-biting going on in various state Republican central committees.  Trumpers versus the non-Trumpers.  Loyalists versus – uh – er – “them.”  In’s versus out’s.

Were the spirits of Bob Dole, Jim McClure or the sainted Ronnie Reagan to visit the Party current headquarters in the dead of night, they wouldn’t recognize the place.  Or, the employment roster.

The Party has been “at war” with itself for more than a generation.  With outbreaks occurring all across the country, let’s just say the national Republican Party is “fluid” at the moment.

Maybe worst of all, the current wannabee-leader has just received a sound thrashing by Judge Arthur Edgeron who saw fit to hit him with a $350-million hammer.  And he ended – for at least three years – the Trump family’s to do business in New York State.  They’re all “persona non-grata.”

It’s likely anyone trying to reorganize Republicans at the moment would have better luck herding cats.

Indeed, in several recent elections to fill open seats in Congress, Democrats have been quite successful in improving their lot.  Last week’s seat flip in New York’s Third made the Party almost dead even with Republicans in the U.S. House.  Thus, Speaker Johnson is going to have a lot more headaches between now and January.

The basic trouble with all this GOP mishmash is the People’s business is not being conducted.  The very basic reason for having a Congress in the first place is to “take care of business.”

How long the Republican Party will stumble around aimlessly, like a weekend drunk, is anyone’s guess.  But, the longer it takes for the more serious members of leadership to “steady the ship,” the more damage will be done.

Anyone looking to Speaker Johnson to get things on the right track is ignoring the fact that Johnson is one of the problems.  He’s in way over his head and unlikely to be the steadying hand needed at the helm.  Johnson is the wrong guy at the wrong time.

Trump may be headed for the hoosegow.  Oh, there’ll be many appeals.  But, he’s going to be less of a factor over time.

One can only hope our current President is using the back-channel to stay in touch with Dems and responsible GOP’ers.  And, that those same members respect knowledgeable advice & counsel given from someone with more than 50 years of Congressional experience.

Posted in Column | | Comments Off on Congressional thrashing

Sometimes the “news of the day” hits closer to home than you’d like.

So it is with stories in the daily media about Joseph Robinette Biden, Junior.  President Joseph Robinette Biden, Junior.  Stories about his age (81) and whether he’s “losing it.”

We are seeing such stories in every medium.  Most often, personal anecdotes of those who have access to the President by reason of their work as reporters or members of his staff.

But, no matter the source of the moment, the issue is his age.  And, more pointedly, questions about his fitness to serve in the highest elective office we have.  His mental fitness.

Before we go any further, you should know my age is 87.  Yep.  Six years older than the President.  So, I have some first-hand knowledge and a very personal perspective.  I’ve been where he is and am further “down the path.”

The biggest personal “knock” on the man is he is “forgetful.”  Big damned deal!  I forget things, too.  And, I did at 30, 40,50, and so on.  We all “forget” things, regardless of age.

But, when Biden does it, he’s often being questioned by reporters.  At a time when he’s under pressure.  At a time when cameras are rolling and subjects change with each question.

I’ve been in that White House briefing room.  Many times.  When the broadcast lighting is on  – when the room temperature rises to the 80’s and beyond – when there are 40 or 50 people in a room designed for half those numbers.  It ain’t the comfort of your living room.

But, I digress.

This week, I met with a local neurologist.  I’d been medically referred to him because of some headaches and other issues.  We talked a bit about forgetfulness.

His response?

“We forget things when we’re 20-years old – 30, 40, 50.  Ninety.  Yes, it’s more of a factor in our later years.  But, it’s an ordinary part of our lives and, unless you develop other symptoms, you’re O.K..”

My personal experience with aging and memory issues is mine alone.  Just as the same factors are yours and yours alone.

At the moment, despite being 87, I’m O.K..  Oh, I forget things from time to time.  Usually a specific word I need when writing or speaking.  Or, someone’s name.  We all share those experiences.

But, so far, I haven’t left my car keys in the refrigerator.  And, I haven’t had to call home for directions.

Forgetfulness at 30 is, for most folks, different than the same issue at 70 or 80.  As you age, you tend to react to things more slowly.  You tend to need just a bit more time to recall specifics like names or information of a particular nature.  That’s normal, I’m told.

There’s really no need to be concerned about the President’s moments of forgetfulness.  Unless he can’t remember where his office is, he’s O.K. for his age.  If needed, he’s surrounded by staff – people completely aware of all the issues he has to contend with.   He has a very competent – and younger – Vice President.

However, I think there is a legitimate question to be asked about his decision to run for re-election.  At the end of four more years, he’ll be 85.  Even if his health holds out – both physically and mentally – that’s getting to a point where those factors will be pushing the limits.

We are at a time when there needs to be a shift to a younger group of political leaders.  Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer and others in top offices are in their 70’s and 80’s.

There’s no danger of a lack of continuity.  There are many in the current Congress who could fill the various roles.  Many who could bring new talents and new ideas to leadership.

I’d name a few but I can’t think of their names right now.

Posted in Column | | Comments Off on I forget

Something’s been happening to us the last 40-years or so.  A rather sad change for we who are trying improve the world around us.

If you belong to a branch of organized religion – participate in a civic organization – give of your time for a community project – encourage others to do the same – congratulations!  Keep up the good work.

Because, what we’re seeing now is more and more people being unwilling to do the same.  Unwilling to give “time-talent-treasure” for the better good.  To share in support of community.

Everywhere you look these days, churches, schools, community organizations and others are seeking volunteers.  Ads in the paper.  Pleas in a worship bulletin.  Emails and other communications from schools.  “Volunteers needed.”

And, in large part, the need is going unmet.  People with jobs.  People with kids.  People with other demands on their time.  People feeling they’re too busy.  Just not enough time.

All too often, those “excuses” are pure B.S..  Our parents spent more of their time trying to make a living than we do these days.  Many often had two jobs.  Our parents didn’t have I-Phones, computers and other aids to get their work done.

They had more demands on their time and still managed to volunteer at church – at schools – at service organizations – at endless community events.  They had more demands on their lives yet they still managed to pitch in when necessary.  When asked.  When they saw a need.

As you consider those examples, think also of the current loss of many civic clubs, diminished congregations at mainline churches, granges, lodges, local business groups like chambers of commerce.  Disappearing.  Many just – gone.

Those were the “fiber” of our communities that brought people together, tackled civic needs, kept the lines of communications open and kept people busy and healthy.  Now, many of them are no more.

Social media has had a lot to do with that.  Very much so.

Rather than dress up a bit for church, we can now “zoom” the service from home – watching the service in our ‘jammies.’  Rather than go to a lodge or regularly attend service club meetings, we can text some of the people we used to see face-to-face.  Rather than pitching in to undertake the completion of a community need, we can write a check.  Pay someone to do what we used to do ourselves.  As volunteers.  I know.  I’ve done it.

Dr. Anthony Fauci was recently on the “telly” talking about how these changes – and a few others – have made loneliness the number one national illness.  People being separated from each other.  People being alone.

Suicides rates are up.  Divorces, too.  The ills of lost “community” reaching ever higher numbers.

We are poorer – much poorer – for the passing of these fraternal, civic and religious attachments.  We’re losing touch with one another.

Many of us have noted the decline.  With more than four-score years of life, I’ve seen the success of many of these community organizations in the past.  Been a part of them.  Realized the benefits of “pressing the flesh.”  Of participation.  Of volunteering.

Now, we elders are seeing the reductions in membership – of regular face-to-face interplay with others – of fewer offering ‘time, talent and treasure’ for the common good.  We’re often experiencing pangs of loneliness – of separation.  Exactly what Dr. Fauci talked about.

Maybe younger generations – the Z-er’s, X-er’s, millennial’s and whatever comes next – maybe conditions of the lives they’ll lead will offer a sort of community involvement in a new and different direction.

Maybe.

They’ll have to!  Because, if we lose more contact with one another – if we live lives of individuality rather than community – if we lose the common bond – the common connection – the very nature of a nation and its future will be at stake.

Posted in Column | | Comments Off on Dangers of loss