"SPECIAL CONGRESS"

"Special Congress" for One Week with Downs Syndrome Adults

ELEVATOR VERSION

Thanks to the many friends and readers for the kind words about "Jim" in the, "Handicapped Bag Boy and Congress" blog of July 19th. This entry will only make sense if you read that preceding blog with reference to the complete honesty and total devotion to common sense with which Jim the grocer with Downs Syndrome lives his life. In fact, all of the adults who I have met with Downs Syndrome possess that same child-like candor and to-the-point-clarity that Jim of Days Market possesses. So, what if we sent them to Congress? We celebrate overcoming challenges with the "SPECIAL OLYMPICS." What about having a "SPECIAL CONGRESS?"

STAIRCASE VERSION

Here's my suggestion to straighten out all the garbage, obfuscation, politicking, and chicanery existing in Congress. We the people invite "Honorary Special Congress Persons" from the ranks of the mentally challenged Downs Syndrome population in each congressional district to take over Capitol Hill one week each year. The elected Congress can get the bonus of another two weeks of paid vacation with the enthusiastic support of the American people. (We'd only need the Downs Syndrome folks for 1 week, but their time is worth at least 2 weeks of real elected officials.)

We take the most pressing items in the areas of:

• National Defense


• Education, Welfare, and Health


• Tax Reform


• Border Security


• Federal Spending

We would make sure each "substitute" for a real congressman or woman is well attended to by their legal guardian and paid double the daily rate of Congress -- just for the stress of straightening things out.

The case for each of the most pressing items would be made and determined by a simple "up and down" vote after presented in the most elementary way by non-partisan school teachers. The American people would have the nightly news coverage of this "Special Congress" and be given a chance to submit their voice by "polls" based upon the issue of the day. After votes are taken and the "Honorary Special Congress Persons" were thanked and sent home to their respective districts, we could take a look at this "pilot program" and consider whether or not the same might work for the Executive and Judicial branches.

The vacationing politicos then would be invited back and have the chance to take what the honest and pure-minded "Special Congress" decided upon -- and then we get to the bottom line. We'd know who the common power mongers and scoundrels were by their double-speak, and we'd be able to identify the honest congressmen and women by their talk and walk. The bonus? We the American people would feel refreshed knowing we actually had, for one week each year, complete honesty coming from Capitol Hill.

Sooo. If "Special Olympics" teaches team spirit, cooperation, finishing what you started, honor, integrity, and supreme effort... while making everyone a winner, why not try a SPECIAL CONGRESS? Could it hurt?

I'M JUST SAYING...