Phony Are the Brave

It's time for politicians to stop patting themselves on the back.

David Harsanyi | November 25, 2009

Oh, beloved martyrs. Leaders of the rabble. Fearless masters of decency.

Save us from ourselves.

On CNN's State of the Union last weekend, host John King presented Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), with a yes-or-no question: "If you get to the final point and you are a critical vote for health care reform and every piece of evidence tells you ... you will lose your job, would you cast the vote and lose your job?"

Like Joan of Arc facing the burning pillar—"may Obama so keep me"—a valiant Bennet, undeterred by the gruesome prospect of returning to a life of undeserved appointments and a real job, answered plainly, "Yes."

One might have let his reply to a no-win question slide, but no sooner had word of the senator's heroism trickled down to the masses than his campaign staff sent out a blast of self-love, claiming that Bennet's answer proved he fearlessly would "stand up for what is right. He is willing to take on the special interests who will stop at nothing to protect the status quo."

Ironically, Bennet—appointed by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, who overlooked more dynamic and experienced Democrats—was only given his spot as designated Obama yes man through a special interest of one. So goes the real life of our gutsy protagonist.

The most powerful special interest in this nation, of course, is the federal government. It's an organization that Bennet will empower with unprecedented coercive powers to control the common citizen's health care decisions—his vote, guaranteed even before reading the final bill. To vote any other way could mean a primary loss and little support from an administration that landed him his job—perhaps the only job it created.

But Bennet certainly isn't alone. These days, the idea of courage—especially in Washington—flows freely.

Recently, Newt Gingrich called Obama "a liberal Democratic president who has the courage to take on the establishment on education," as if the tepid education reforms of the administration were akin to a power move against the Gambino crime syndicate (though, admittedly, the National Education Association comes close).

Actress Angie Harmon this week declared that Sarah Palin is a "woman who has her own set of values and morals and ethics and has the courage to live her life accordingly." How many of you have the steely courage to sell 700,000 books in a week?

President Barack Obama, never shy about applauding his own transcendent valor, also announced the traditional pardon of the White House turkey—and a big chicken, if you ask me—erroneously named (you guessed it) Courage.

Courage is off to Disneyland.

And a few weeks ago, after the Senate Finance Committee moved the health care takeover bill through, the president singled out Sen. Olympia Snowe from Maine for her "courage."

Courage? I suppose that in Washington, moving a bill out of committee constitutes bravery. Those wild mobs of radical wing nuts in Maine, after all, only can be contained for so long, you know.

But out of 100 senators pretending to understand the health care bill, perhaps a half-dozen have a chance of realizing bravery in even the most liberated sense of the word. Most of those, Democrats and Republicans, however, diligently will investigate every poll and political consideration before they vote.

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Chris|11.25.09 @ 2:11PM|#

Well, good for you Senator, giving up your job for the sake of what is right. Now if we can get the rest of the statist fools in congress to voluntarily give up their seats too.

(of course that would leave us without a congress)

|11.25.09 @ 4:30PM|#

that would leave us without a congress

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Chris|11.25.09 @ 4:49PM|#

Meh.

Patrick|11.28.09 @ 2:01PM|#

Translation of what the Senator said:
"Even though nobody wants it, I know what's best for them. I'm proud of how brave that makes me. Liberty is only for the enlightened political class!"

|11.25.09 @ 2:34PM|#

42% Say People Randomly Selected from Phone Book Better Than Current Congress
http://www.rasmussenreports.co.....t_congress

Let's make it a lottery, like Jury Duty, that you can only get out of in very specific situations/problems.

|11.25.09 @ 2:36PM|#

I forgot to point out this factoid from the story:

Today, Republicans by a two-to-one margin believe that the phone book sample would be better than the current Democratic-controlled Congress. Democrats, by a similar margin, have the opposite view. A slight plurality of those not affiliated with either major party say the randomly selected group would do a better job.

|11.25.09 @ 3:05PM|#

If you poll a randomly selected group of people, of course they'll say a randomly selected group can do a better job. I bet if you asked members of Congress, they would say members of Congress do a better job.

IceTtrey|11.26.09 @ 12:41AM|#

No, let them refuse if they want and then just pick another name. What really needs to be done is hold an Article 5 constitutional convention and repeal the 16th and 17th amendments. That would solve a lot of problems.

|11.25.09 @ 3:07PM|#

Definitely liking the "Rep. Altmire voted against Health Care Reform and betrayed Democrats" ad in this article. Ads by Google is even dumber than the Beano family.

But|11.25.09 @ 3:24PM|#

The most powerful special interest in this nation, of course, is the federal government. It's an organization that Bennet will empower with unprecedented coercive powers.

Uh oh.

David Harsanyi|11.25.09 @ 5:55PM|#

Crap. I did it.

But|11.25.09 @ 7:43PM|#

You so did it.

David Harsanyi|11.25.09 @ 9:19PM|#

What I meant to say was: "unparalleled."

|11.25.09 @ 4:59PM|#

Barack Obama is a closeted homosexual.

Chris|11.26.09 @ 2:15AM|#

With an affinity for garters belts.

When making slanderous remarks it is important to include as many made up details as possible.

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|11.25.09 @ 6:42PM|#

I guess the ultimate Obama quote would be for him to proclaim himself "unprecedentedly brave in the history of U.S. Presidents". This would satisfy his compulsion to use the word 'unprecedented' at least once a day while congratulating himself in the same sentence.

Silentz|11.25.09 @ 7:30PM|#

At least Bennet took a stance on this. Usually he mumbles a bit and then says, "Look! A pony!" He's a tool. Literally. Both he and Udall missed the cut on who could vote 'no' for the health bill baloney. So hopefully enough Coloradoan wake up and give him a chance to go back to the private sector...or a cabinet appointment...whatever.

Dan Rather|11.25.09 @ 10:42PM|#

Courage!

The Cowardly Lion says|11.26.09 @ 1:11AM|#

Screw you and your little dog too, Mr. Wizard!

I'll just take that harlot's ruby slippers and you can keep your so called courage.

And you're scarecrow stuffed with bullsh*t...er...I meant change.

And you're yellow brick road paved with even more bullsh*t...er...hope? Is that what we call it now?

And keep your Congress too...oh, so sorry, The Emerald City as you seem to insist on calling it but, whatever dude, as it seems to be MADE of bullsh*t!

I think I need a shower now...

|11.25.09 @ 10:45PM|#

In addition to courage and bravery, another over-used phrase to describe what politicians do is "public service."

As if a career of entitlement, power, and privilege is some type of sacrifice they make for us peons.

anonnymess|11.25.09 @ 10:50PM|#

+1000 for the Edward Abbey headline reference. Best movie evar (so sayeth Kirk Douglas).

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Bill Walker|11.26.09 @ 12:43PM|#

The comment above regarding an Article V Convention as the means to resolve this issue of Congress should receive more consideration and comment than it is getting. Public record shows all 50 states have submitted 750 applications for an Article V Convention, some 20 times the number required by the Constitution to compel Congress to call a convention. The texts of the applications can be read at www.foavc.org.

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Christian Louboutin|11.28.09 @ 4:39AM|#

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|12.1.09 @ 9:41AM|#

I'm not sure why this was gratuitously thrown into the conversation.....but a more reasonable response to Ms. Harmon's remark would be "is having the steely courage of you faith to have the baby you know will be severely handicapped?" David, do you have that kind of courage?

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