This needs absolutely no commentary for me. It is a spot on accurate assessment of the mood of the nation, as deliciously put by former WSJ journalist, James Gannon, and as it it appears on American Spectator today.
Apologies to the Spectator for the full reprint, but I don’t want to “interrupt” the flow with a hyperlink jump. And a H/T to the folks who post at Lucianne for the heads up.
Now… sit back and enjoy….
America’s Quiet Anger
By James P. Gannon on 3.30.10 @ 6:07AMThere is a quiet anger boiling in America.
It is the anger of millions of hard-working citizens who pay their bills, send in their income taxes, maintain their homes and repay their mortgage loans — and see their government reward those who do not.
It is the anger of small town and Middle American folks who have never been to Manhattan, who put their savings in a community bank and borrow from a local credit union, who watch Washington lawmakers and presidents of both parties hand billions in taxpayer bailouts to the reckless Wall Street titans who brought down the economy in 2008.
It is the fury of the voiceless, the powerless, the ordinary nobodies of Flyover Country who are ridiculed, preached to, satirized and insulted by the Celebrity Loudmouths of the two Left Coasts, the Jon Stewarts and Keith Olbermanns, the Paul Krugmans and their ilk.
It is the salted wound of the millions who see that ruling Democrats in Congress are not listening to them but are willfully ignoring public opinion and the verdict of recent elections in passing a huge new health care entitlement when the existing entitlements of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are already going broke.
It is the frustrating helplessness of citizens who revere the Founding Fathers and the genius of the Constitution that they wrote, who actually believe the words of the Constitution mean what they say, not more and not less. They who watch politicians and the courts stretch and bend that Constitution — finding “rights” not enumerated, powers never granted, meanings unimagined — believe that their country is being redefined without their consent.Most of the angry are not out marching in the streets, waving signs or shouting into bullhorns. And they are not smashing windows or phoning death threats to politicians. They are simply waking up angry in the morning, and going to bed angry at night. And their resentment is multiplied by the media’s efforts to portray them all as dangerous, crazy people, and by the effort of certain Democrats to tar them with brush of violent intent.
They are embittered, too, by the rhetoric of a triumphant president who turns on its head Winston Churchill’s heroic attitude promising defiance in defeat but magnanimity in victory. For a president of a deeply divided country, defiance in victory is not an endearing posture. It has all the persuasive charm of a Chad Ochocinco victory dance in the end zone of the opponent’s stadium.
These quietly angry people gather in their churches while their religions are called divisive and their beliefs are labeled as bigotry, and they pray for a better day. They talk among themselves in their Main Street cafes, at the Rotary club or at their kids’ softball games, seeking others who understand their frustration and will not respond with arrogant dismissal.
They are tired of being told they are too stupid to understand the country’s complex problems, too rooted in the past to find solutions, too selfish to share what they have worked for with everyone else who wants it.
They are not reaching for guns or for pitchforks. They are holding their anger within, waiting for their time, watching those in power over-reach and over-indulge.
Their wound is deep, and it will not be salved by more presidential speeches, Congressional hand-outs, or promises of wonderful things to come. They no longer believe any of that. Their quiet rage abides, waiting till it can be expressed in that silent place behind the curtain where the ballot lists the names that they have now committed to an angry memory.
Vietnam era Navy wife, indy/conservative, and an official California escapee now residing as a red speck in the sea of Oregon blue.
A normally quiet elderly gentleman blew a cork (in a store) a few days ago when someone mentioned O’Dumbo care. It shocked everyone who knew him. It’s building like pressure in a volcano and will eventually blow. I don’t know if I should join in or sit back and watch. It’s not going to be pretty. O’Dumbo makes it worse every time he opens his slimey mouth since everyone except the truly retarded have figured him for a loud mouth know nothing con.
I have never seen so many with a low boiling anger. It is going to blow. Hopefully it is a safety valve of an election and not a civil war. People will not be mocked forever by those who think that they are so much smarter and wiser. People will not sit by and watch their way of life and the hope for the future of their children destroyed by those that want to take from those that work hard and play by the rules and give their just rewards to those who don’t.
That man has put into words what many feel. The rising chorus of voices opposed to the president and his ruling party are not going to be silenced by the false accusations and the redefining of a movement they feel part of. They will feel even more embattled by the elitist left and the anger will not subside over one election cycle, but continue on until all who perpetrated these outrages on America are purged from the halls of congress. Even then, I believe a handful of silent watchers on the walls will be on the lookout for the renewed attack on their values, whether from within the GOP or from a new cadre of Democrat elite.
Every time my spirits are lifted by the discovery of yet another American who has lost their ‘gruntle’ over Obama and the Democrats and is determined to right the ship of state,,, it isn’t long after that I despair over the descovery of more ever more ardent cool-aid drinkers railing on and on about how hateful the conservatives are and wonderful the world would be without them.
What I am beginning to see, and I am afraid everyone else will eventually come to understand is: Simply winning the next election, or even the next two elections isn’t going to be nearly enough. There is going to have to be a clearing out of the media and the education system and some sort of reformation of the unions. The confluence of unmitigated bias in those three institutions are the reasons for the calamity we currently are suffering from, and as long as those three nests are unchecked the poison will rise again and again.
Hereare examples:
http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/checker.aspx?v=XdkU8z4zvk
I feel the anger boiling, and being ridiculed by sanctimonious hypocrites and morons only increases the emotion. I see our leaders jabbering on the news in some sophomoric attempt to explain their latest attempt to bankrupt the country and I yell at the TV, this is not my typical behavior, I unconsciously mutter something under my breath and my dogs run over wondering what is happening or what is wrong. I am a man who has been known for being cool and calm under difficult and dangerous situations almost everyday and I am left wondering, if I feel this way, how are my patriot friends coping with the Socialist assault on our Freedoms?
Don’t misinterpret my words, I am not advocating violent resistance; however, I think the Marxist in the White House underestimates the seriousness of his assault on America’s Liberty and doesn’t comprehend the resolute belief system of those in fly-over country, you know the Americans who actually fight in our wars, while Liberal parents send their cowardly darlings out of the country. Yes, my own relatives make these cowardly contingency plans, while counting on real patriots to make the sacrifices. These real patriots are the ones who are being pushed into the corner.
Being elected president is not a permit to remake America in some dubious Utopian dream that was formulated with a hashish pipe. The American people will only stand for so much of this thugocracy from the Chicago sewers and ghettos and Obama is testing those limits.
Obama should back off with the Marxism until November and see what kind of mandate he has after the mid-term election, after all this is supposed to be a government of the people.
Yes TSgt, I agree with you, although the Leftist influence is so deeply ingrained in the teachers and text books, I am afraid it will take decades to correct that influence within public education and the University system. Some of us are going to need to become more proactive, perhaps by picking up teaching credentials as a late life career. Retirement plans are sketchy at best in the future and this is a serious move towards being involved.
Thank you for your contributions and service.
MATA,…who is JAMES P GANONN,?he should come on top,he express for all the peoples who are so disturbed
I’ve worked with the same people for eight plus years now. I am stunned by their retoric and depth of feelings against those in DC. These people in the eight years I have known them never uttered a political thought or conviction until this summer. Those that were pro Obama do not say a word.
I agree with Mr. Gannon except for one minor quibble. Since none of our rights come from the Constitution in the first place, it’s perfectly OK to find more rights not enumerated there.
The Ninth Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
MATA i was so touch by your post that i forgot to right my name on the previous comment,..bye 🙄
@Ms. bees, I know little of James Gannon. The only bio of his I find in a brief search of the Internet prior to posting this was what was on The American Spectator… that he is a retired journalist and reporter, having worked for at least the Wall Street Journal, former Washington bureau chief, with the Detroit News, and the former editor of the Des Moines Register. He lives in Virginia now, and is in his 70s.
Here’s a bit more about him from a 2008 article, when he decided to take to part time community blogging after retirement, and what happened to his community blog.
Would be nice to hear more from him, I agree. Great prose and content.
JIM S,,i am trying to understand what you said,sorry for my ignorance, could you elaborate a bit more? thank you. 🙄
I’m not Jim, bees… but I’ll add my explanation of what he means. I hope this leaps the translation barrier, and I hope that Jim comes back with his own version to add more to your question.
“Rights” are not “given” by government. What Jim was pointing out is that if you limit an individual’s “rights” to only what is mentioned in the Constitution, government can assume that anything *not* in the Constitution could be taken, or regulated, and is not an inherent human right. And those items that are still an inherent right – and conceptually out of reach of the government – will continue to be “found” until man, or this nation as we know it, disppears from the face of the earth.
It is the reason the Bill of Rights… or the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution and specifically the 9th Amendment .. states:
In other words, just because it isn’t specifically mentioned doesn’t mean it isn’t a right and remains out of Constitutional reach of government. The Constitution doesn’t limit citizen’s “rights”, it limits what the government is allowed to address, and everything else *is* a right.
Or at least is used to…..
And no problem on missing your name. I knew it was you. :0) Thank you for being touched by the article, but I deserve no credit. Merely passing it on to others for their enjoyment as well.
bees, you might try reading this article on Freecountries.org about Inherent Rights. It might help make the concept a bit more clear.
@bees
I too am trying to understand his thoughts here. Not sure exactly where he is/was going with it.
MATA on ,,,weekly open thread,,,,jlfrntx is asking for help to know what he can do …his wife wrote 2009 on acheck and the bank refuse and the insurance cancel them…bye
I found myself with moist eyes, and quivering lip after that one.
Thanks Mata.
There is indeed anger building in the country. Right now it stays within the walls, but it is not far from being outside the walls.
If the Demmies think this will just “blow over” in a few months, they’re sadly mistaken
All: MataHarley summed up the point I was trying to make perfectly.
There was a group of the Founders that thought the Bill of Rights was unneeded because it was clear that the federal government could not step into areas where it had no enumerated powers. Now it seems clear that not only was the Bill of Rights needed, it needed to be even stronger.
@Skookum: …I think the Marxist in the White House underestimates the seriousness of his assault on America’s Liberty and doesn’t comprehend the resolute belief system of those in fly-over country,…
Skookum-
I don’t think this is the case. I think the MitWH, and the team he is a member of, know exactly how serious the assault on us is and they do comprehend the resoluteness of their opponents.
Further, O has taken his election as exactly a permit to remake America. And not only a permit but a mandate. That is the promise he ran on- to fundamentally transform America. That is what he was elected to do. That no one vetted him to learn just what “fundamentally transform America” means is not his fault. As far as he and his supporters are concerned, Sharpton is right. Americans did vote for Socialism when they voted for Obama. That this would never have happened had Americans been better informed is beside the point. And the fact that O and Biden would not let the media ask about this is on the rare occasions when it did come up is just too bad. That when the people (Joe the Plumber) asked about it they got investigated and had their personal business displayed publicly for all to know, well, that’s just the way it is. HE WON. So this is his mandate and his permit.
On the violence issue, I don’t advocate violence either. However, I do think violence is being advocated by the O team inasmuch as 1) the leftists are not stopped by each other or by the authorities when they incite and commit violence, and other acts of civil unrest against us (bricks, eggs, and screaming people off the stage). Instead they egg (no pun intended) each other on and defend each other; 2) their actions are clearly provocative; 3) their tone and accusations are perversely unjust which, I believe, is intended to incite both sides to violence; 4) by their rhetoric and race baiting they are attempting to remove the resolution of this conflict through the civil means of debate and discourse and therefore forcing it into the arena of violence. They do not want resolution. They want to win (I WON.)
These people are not at all unaware of the perverse injustice they are perpetrating on us. They know such injustice is intolerable and the only response is righteous rage, which is why they use it as a weapon by accusing us of that same injustice. They know that by thus accusing us, they are whipping up their own supporters into a rage that would be righteous if what they were being told was true, and then when those supporters act out they are not condemned. They are doing just what was intended, even though what they do with their rage is not the right way to deal with it, even if the rage itself was legitimate, being based on facts and truth. Now they are doing the same to us, trying to provoke such a response. The difference being that our rage is legitimate as it is based on facts and truth- that we are being lied about, lied to, robbed, insulted, enslaved, and worst of all, rendered helpless to defend ourselves through peaceful means. But to date we have not taken our righteous rage and acted it out in violence. We are opting for peaceful means at this time and will continue to do so as long as we can.
What I take comfort in is the hope that they do not know how to fight righteous rage channeled into peaceful but determined resistance, as the Tea Partiers, etc. have been showing. I am hoping they will find they cannot win a war that is not going to be fought on their terms.
But I do think they know just what they are doing.
@JanH:
I’m sorry Jan, but you are flat out wrong here. The Zero went to great lengths to hide who he was and how he would govern. It depended on who he was talking to at the time. A compliant MSM aided his duplicity to be sure, but the Zero is not an innocent patsy in all of this. He claimed that he would lower taxes for 95% of all Americans. He knew that the label of tax reformer would play well to middle America. He claimed on several occasions that he believed in the free market system. This campaign statement can only be described as ludicrous today. He claimed to be a supporter of Israel. His treatment of Israel has been Oafish and mean. His foreign policy can best be described as alienating our allies while pandering to our enemies.
Don’t worry though, his non-mandate has an expriation date. I am comforted by the fact that in 2013, the Zero will be an Ex-President, replacing Carter as the nation’s worst.
JanH thanks for the excellent counter point.
Despite the strength, courage and weaponry of America’s True Patriots, we should use our resolve as a strength of determination in the manner of Reverend King and Gandhi. There are two reasons to adopt this policy: a strong man looks even stronger when he refuses to rise to cheap provocation and baiting; and like you pointed out, a violent response is exactly what the MitWH is looking for to consolidate and justify his Marxist agenda.
Thank you for your contribution, you have helped me define my method and objectives.
Long Live the Republic!
For the progressive urbanite that waves the flag of social justice and espouses a mantra of “for the common good”, then ridicules middle america for their hard work, their traditional values and their anger at the current move towards socialism: Remember this when the unbrideled spending collapses our system. Food doesn’t really come from the Safeway store down the street. It comes from those flyovercountry folks they have been so quick to dismiss.
My wife asked me if we should be buying gold, and I responded with a hearty no. You can’t eat gold. Yeah, I know, the two year supply of staples I have socked away puts me in the “nut job, right wing loon” category. I’m okay with that. I don’t have an arsenal of weapons. I do have a good rifle and an ample supply of ammunition. No I don’t plan on instigating any violence. I plan on voting and hoping that we can get back on track before our slide into marxist policies irreversibly damages our country. But I do not live in a faux utopiaville.
We have been warned that our current course, the lowering of our bond ratings, our excessive spending could literally tear at the fabric of human institutions when the feces hits the fan. Warned by people a lot smarter than me. So what if they’re wrong? Well, I’ll have an ample supply of non-perishable food laying about. And what if they are right? I’ll be prepared.
I know more and more people that are stockpiling staples. They aren’t the left leaners that have entrusted their very lives to the status quo being endurable. History shows us that those that survive perilous times are those the prepared for perilous times. A week of our civil systems in chaos would mean grocery stores with empty shelves. Two weeks would see armed gangs in search of food and essentials. A month would mean that my safety will only be predicated on how well I prepared before hand.
Will any of this happen? I don’t know, but it wasn’t that long ago, when 10 million Ukrainians died of starvation within a year, not because the system broke down, not because they couldn’t produce enough food for their needs, but because they were not prepared for the system that regarded them as less than worthy of life, liberty and property. A system that would sacrifice their lives in order to achieve some warped idea of “social justice”.
But fear not, the next wave of “social justice” will be different!
Hey there, DonB! you have accurately described my sentiments and worries. However, I worry that if we are forced out of our homes to become refugees, too many will die because they don’t realize that canned goods aren’t practical when you travel on foot for more than a few days. Yes, I am prepared, with ultra light foods like dried beans and rolled oats in secure plastic containers, on short rations, you can carry enough to survive for months. If the system disintegrates or the Marxists gain control, it is unlikely they wouldn’t repeat their depravities once again. Like you, I say be prepared and know how to cook beans and porridge over a small fire, and that isn’t meant to be funny.
@Skook
My staples also consist of non-canned goods. I’ve also been collecting information. It’s one thing to look up “how to make soap” on the internet only to have them tell you the lard, and lye are the key elements, but how many people know how to make lye when there’s no handy hardware store. There are just so many things we take for granted in our day to day lives.
Would the average person know how to find clay and properly fire it. Or nitrates to make gun powder? What plants are edible in your area? What does it take to preserve foods? How do you tan a hide? Yes we are brilliant in the civilized world, but for the most part, we’re down right ignorant of what it takes to be truly self reliant in the wild. I’ve got me a spot picked out in the Cascade Mountains, not too distant from here, that I’d retreat to if necessary, it has a lot of what I’d need, and it is rugged, rugged territory.
I thought I’d compile all this information and have it shrunk down, like a miniature bible, that you can read with a magnifying glass, then incorporate it into a belt buckle or some other wearable accessory and market it prior to the 2012 end of the world. But alas, I think I’m getting lazy in my old age, cause if such a product were successful and the end of the world didn’t occur, Obama and company would simply appropriate any profits for the “common good” so why bother.
@Flyovercountry:
Flyover-
I am sort of chuckling because as I read the part of my post that you quoted I can see your point!
I think I should explain myself a bit. I wrote that paragraph speaking more from O’s point of view as I imagine it to be, but I see I did not make that at all clear. (Yeah. Rereading what I wrote there, it was pretty bad!)
Obama does NOT have a mandate to “fundamentally transform America” just because we voted for him when we voted for him largely because of media induced disgust with Bush, O’s promises when those promises were nothing but lies, white guilt, and some sort of swoon factor due to O’s amazing charisma. Not to mention the host of illegitimate things that led to his election: stealing and bullying the candidacy away from Hillary during the primary, lying to the voters about all the things you mentioned and then bullying at the election booths. Plus breaking every conceivable rule on election fund raising and the ACORN league of dead voters.
I do think HE thinks he has a mandate, but he does not. It is, as you say, a non-mandate.
As for it not being his fault that no one vetted him, I did mean that sort of tongue in cheek, but not entirely. It is not his fault in the same way that a car thief could say it is not his fault that you left your door unlocked and your keys in the ignition. Of course that does not excuse the theft, but there is some truth to it and I think O is just the sort of person to find that truth and stake a claim on it.
I think he was given a free pass that is beyond the pale, especially when compared to the McCain campaign. Somehow the wisdom that if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn’t true went out the window this time around. All the things that made America vote for him were all the things that kept us from asking the necessary questions. Obama’s presidency is the result of a lot of emotional foolishness on the part of a lot of people from many segments of society. We are learning a lot of very painful lessons from this and I hope and expect the fruit of that learning to show itself in wiser choices at the booths in November and 2012.
@Skookum:
You’re welcome! 🙂
@Donald Bly:
Your near the Cascades?
Then you are my neighbor! This gives us both an opportunity to fill in one of the critical ‘B’s.
Bandages – (medical supplies)
Batteries – (alternate energy)
Beans – (dry goods, can goods, and seed)
Bicycles – (low energy transportation)
Bivouacs – (hides and sentry locations)
Books – (knowledge, comfort, encouragement)
*BUDDIES* – (trusted friends and family) <– you could be here!
Bullets – (means of self defense and hunting)
Bullion – (Transportable durable barter)
@JanH:
I must apologize a bit. Being as busy as I am, trying to run my business sufficiently to support the half of America exempted from supporting themselves, (sarcasm intended,) I didn’t read your post as thoroughly as I should have. I just feel passionately for a couple of reasons. First off, I was one of the folks screaming from the rooftops that this is what we faced with an Obama Presidency. More than 50% of the folks returned my pleadings with glazed over stares. I am somewhat comforted by seeing a lot fewer Obama Biden bumper stickers than I see Bush Cheney.
The other thing is this. Once these monsterous changes are made, they never seem to go away. Even if we get the results we wish for in November and 2012, there is no guarantee that the GOP congress critters we send to Washington won’t relish in the newly expanded power of the Federal Government. To illustrate this point, look no further than the Departments of Education and Energy. These useless drains on our society were put into place by the very unpopular worst President in history, (Carter.) I am going to vote for the repeal and replace, but I will be irretrievably angry if the promise is purposefully broken.
As for Obama, he is a Post Turtle. (Explanation Below.)
Post Turtle
YOU’VE GOT TO LOVE THIS RANCHER’S OUTLOOK &
COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO LIFE ……
While suturing up a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, whose hand had been caught in the gate while working his cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Obama, and his being our president.
The old rancher said, “Well, ya know, Obama is just a Post Turtle.”
Now not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked, What’s a “Post Turtle?”
The old rancher said, “When you’re driving down a country road and you com e across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a post turtle.”
The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor’s face so he continued to explain. “You know he didn’t get up there by himself, he doesn’t belong up there, he doesn’t know what to do while he’s up there, he sure as heck ain’t goin’ anywhere, and you just wonder what kind of dumb fool put him up there in the first place.”
TSGT CIZ
Are you at McChord?
Flyover that is one of the funniest things I have read in a long time. Maybe a wind will blow him off of his post, poor lost and bewildered turtle.
Ciz and Don, that is one of the things I like about FA, you are often pleasantly surprised at the abilities and knowledge of the readers. Ciz the bicycle is an interesting concept, thank you. I suppose the fat tire old fashioned bike is the best with 2 baskets in the back and one in the front. The light truck of South East Asia. Thanks for the leg up.
I’ve got a motorcycle that I keep around even though I haven’t ridden it in years. I’m just too lazy to pedal unless it’s downhill. I figure I can rig the motorcycle to run on alcohol if I have the need and a two wheeled vehicle will get you to places that are not accessible by 4 wheeled rigs which is a good thing when you’re placing yourself away from threats.
Donald,
I’m out of the service now. Did my time, got my scars, and now I’m just a graying vet in Vancouver WA.
On your choice of keeping a motorcycle
The best Armageddon type motorcycle is a dual sport, air cooled, with a carburetor. Fuel injected water cooled engines are better performers, but easily upset by accidents and poor fuel.
Alcohol can be problematic as a fuel source for most motorcycles because of the high amount needed to run the engine, and the problems it causes with the fuel systems. Diesel is the post Apocalypse fuel of choice and it would actually be easier to convert a bike to run on diesel than alcohol or to make a mix of fuel to extend any gasoline stores you may have.
I try to always keep all my race fuel cans full of gas, which gives me about 25 gallons at the house.
I should be pretty mobile at the onset of any trouble, since I keep 6 cars/trucks and 4 motorcycles fueled up and running, and a 450gal heating oil tank full.
@Flyovercountry:
Once these monsterous changes are made, they never seem to go away. Even if we get the results we wish for in November and 2012, there is no guarantee that the GOP congress critters we send to Washington won’t relish in the newly expanded power of the Federal Government.
I know. I am trying not to think about that right now. 🙁
I am going to vote for the repeal and replace, but I will be irretrievably angry if the promise is purposefully broken.
Me too.
And that is another thing that has me beside myself. I really do think that the Rs have got the power to correct a great deal of this if they were willing to do what it takes but I don’t see them using it. They are still TOO SOFT. Just yesterday I got an email from Michael Steel saying how he wants us to get out there and talk this thing down. He included points we can bring up. Every single one of his points was about money. He said nothing about the rationing of care or the abortion funding or the many doctors who do not want this and are going to quit over it. He said nothing about having no say in who your doctors will be or in the pressure that will be put on primary care doctors to keep you from seeing a specialist when you need one because they will be fined for sending you. Of course the money issue is horrendous, but these really egregious immoral factors didn’t make his list. Are they not morally outraged? What’s going on there? Maybe they still don’t know what’s in this thing?
MataH: Thanks so much for posting this. Sometimes I feel so alone in my rage & frustration. It’s comforting to know that I am not alone. We have a lot of work to do to undo the damage that has been heaped upon us in an unbelievably short amount of time.
I work in blue NYCity at a very blue law firm – I can tell you that some very blue people there are furious with the congress and dear leader on obamacare. Sometimes it is enjoyable to see “the change” and its effects. I will point out that some of folks here were actually opposed to obama during the election – it surprised me (pleasantly so), but it seemed limited to staff personnel and not the attorneys. The quiet anger in America is certainly spreading.
ThomNJ;
Are the attorneys not happy that their bought-and-paid-for Prez is keeping tort reform as far from the table as he can? 😥
#Brian,
You expressed my thoughts exactly. Where is the outrage about attorney fee’s and bonus??
Our biggest problem is that our government is run by lawyers. We need to return to the original start – ministers. They did a heck of a better job then lawyers.
@Prairie:
The first 500 people listed in any phone book in America could do better than the cast of clowns currently warming seats in DC.