MR ED           April 27, 2013

            Yeah, we don’t like to talk about this.  It’s…embarrassing.  But it’s a real problem for the U.S. congress, so…let’s be frank.  It’s been going on for some time.  Numerous practitioners have promised they can treat it.  It’s like that TV commercial—the one with the two bath tubs?  Well the Republicans are in one bath tub, and the Democrats are in the other.  Neither one can seem to…well…function.  They are all suffering in a consuming way, from Moderation Resistant Electile Dysfunction.  Bitter pills like Reasonableness® Fair Play® Amore Perfect Union® and Responsibility® seem to have no effect on this abiding malaise.  It’s a mental health issue. 

This results in a lot of loud proclamations that begin with phrases like “We’re not going to…” and, “That’s off the table…,” and include things like, “…America’s greatness…” and, “…birth certificate…” and, “What we need instead…”   Meanwhile most of us associate those phrases with these:  “…grant you a mortgage adjustment…” or, “…reduce spending…” or, “…built on individual effort…” or, “…don’t deserve help from the government…” or, “…tax breaks for job creators…” 

            So, while congress frets about America’s greatness and job creators and family values, family people without jobs face ruin, homeless families shiver, hungry families are preoccupied with survival, the planet gets a sunburn where its ice cap used to be, and the sea of poverty rises inexorably.  Congress has become a great cartoon cadre of strutting martinets, the Poster Fools of Electile Dysfunction!  Ain’t they impressive?!