The York News-Times regularly runs editorial columns from Senator Ben Nelson and Congressman Adrian Smith. This past week was no different. We published Congressman Smith’s comments on Tuesday, Aug. 12 and Senator Nelson’s on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
I mentioned this past week was no different, unless you consider they are both out on “Summer Recess” and this is the first opportunity to address their constituents about their progress so far in 2008. With all that is happening in politics this year you would think their messages would cover all the important issues facing their folks back home. Think again!
They didn’t write about the energy crisis. They didn’t write about the upcoming election. They didn’t write about the war in Iraq. They didn’t write about the unaffordable health care costs or the immigration mess. Nor did they write about how the American people are fed up with Washington gridlock and the budget deficits that are absolute insanity. (In July we had a $101 billion deficit. That means we went into debt at a rate in excess of $3 billion a day!)
No, they both chose to write about digital television signals. Wow, out of all the problems we face in this nation, I have to admit digital television signal is not a topic that keeps me awake at night.
I think most everyone knows about this. February 2009 is the date. If you receive your signal through “rabbit ears” you need to get a converter box. Case closed. Oops, not quite yet. The United States Government will give those needing a converter box a $40 coupon, two if you have more than one TV. Now that is what our two representatives should have been writing about. The fact that we are going into debt by billions every day, and the government is now going to pay for these boxes.
They should be outraged the government is spending hard earned tax money on TV converter boxes. But they are not. In fact they are proud of it. Are they equally proud of the fact they are up to their necks in leading this nation toward a fiscal crisis, the depth of which this country has never seen? Shame on them. They should be making the tough decisions in our behalf and be willing to stand up and simply say, “We can not afford to do this.”
In reality it is not a tough decision at all. Just say no.
“Summer Recess” is probably the most appropriate political term I have ever heard. Remember that feeling when we were in elementary school and the recess bell would ring. We all scampered out and played ball or tag. It was a hoot!
Do you also remember when we went to junior high, and gave up the ways of elementary children? We did that because we were growing up and there was school work to do. I think it is time for our representatives to grow up and act like adults, to realize there is important work that needs to be done for this nation.
They need to concern themselves more with topics relative to the health and well-being of this country and less about the television business. They need to grow up and return to Washington and end this recess. They need to stop arguing over party politics. In short, they need to stop acting like children.
Contact — greg.awtry@yorknewstimes.com
