A Child Might Lead The Way For Congress

This story speaks volumes about the state of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.   It also underscores that a child can lead the way.

Today house conservatives blocked passage of a relatively uncontroversial energy and water spending measure after Democrats attached an amendment that would bar federal contractors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The appropriations bill failed with many Republicans opposed because of the gay rights provision, which would have the effect of enacting into law a 2014 executive order by President Barack Obama.

A similar amendment caused disarray on the House floor last week when Democrats tried to attach it to a Veterans Affairs appropriations bill.

It is simply galling how out of touch elected Republicans are when it comes to how ordinary Americans think about these matters.

First, so little is being accomplished in congress due to extreme and misguided partisanship from the extreme conservatives that there is no way to justify holding up a needed bill.  Not to be able to get over unfounded bigotry over gay people in 2016 means that perhaps a more socially responsible person is needed to fill that congressional seat.

Last weekend a five-year-old girl sat on our lawn and out of the blue asked James and myself if we were married.   She then made it known in very precise language with hand gestures that a girl can marry a girl, a boy can marry a boy, and a girl can marry a boy.    She also let it be known that she likes weddings and needs a new dress that fits better for any more that she will attend.

Then she asked, without missing a beat, how hail was made.  (Being a weather junkie did I have the answer for her!)

But the fact a child could see the ease of thinking about gay couples being married while grown elected men and women fight over equal rights should make us all pause and wonder about the caliber of people who are sent to congress.