Project Logic Ga

For some odd reason, I find myself eager to apply high school physics (Einstein’s Theory of Relativity) to congressional politics and policy.

In physics, the principle of relativity is the requirement that the equations have the same form in all admissible frames of reference.  Frame of reference may refer to a coordinate system or set of axes within which to measure the position, orientation and other properties of objects.   A postulate of Einstein’s Special Relativity states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion relative to one another.  

This nerdy stuff comes to mind as I view the southern congressional arena and fail to understand what’s what.  It makes no sense but then again politics rarely does.  A pundit recently referred to the angry part of the electorate as “Super Americans’’ who seem to feel that they are twice or three times more American than others.  To me, they are good people whose minds have been polluted by skillful manipulators.  “How dare their votes count equally as mine.”  So, the opposite of Super Americans would be the people who elected the current president and Democrat Congress.  The funny thing about Super Americans is that their fiscal and policy views are actually sound but their methods unfair and divisive.    

With relativity in mind, I observe members of congress and congressional candidates with respectful complexity.  For example, Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston serves the conservative majority of his district yet debates liberals point by point. That is fair but what’s not fair are other conservatives living in moderate districts that seem to ignore the views and numbers of the majority.  A Blue Dog Democrat can win reelect by a sizeable margin yet the minority will protest that he doesn’t listen to them.  While conservatives are at time small in numbers, they always vote and generally are more financially successful than others. 

Anyone saying that moderate congressmen are not listening to rich voters must be nuts.  The better argument would be poor members of the majority who receive less political attention because they don’t vote.  The squeaky wheel gets the grease. 

The Atlanta Constitution newspaper recently reported that Rep. Kingston has soften his tone on repealing healthcare reform because he wants to be honest about the chances of repeal after the coming elections.  Kingston now speaks of keeping positive provisions and gutting the questionable parts. 

I personally like to view congressional actions relative to several factors.  For example, Texan Rep. J.J. Pickle vote for the Civil Rights Act was courageous relative to the mood of his southern district in the 1960s.  Today, Blue Dogs are targets of conservatives who want to take the congress but why not honesty admit that those same Blue Dogs have supported many conservative programs and policies over the objections of their national political party and local base. 

Super Americans and other rocket scientists should consider a member of congress’s voting record relative to the prevailing opinions of that congressional district.  During this holy period, thoughts turn to Jesus and the story of the Widow’s Mite.  While rich people gave much money, the small amount from the widow was great relative to her holdings.  Without cheapening this important story, elected officials’ past courage and relative position in the political spacetime continuum should be taken into consideration when analyzing their actions.     

As a centrist, I welcome the opportunity to help anyone understand moderation and the political center.  Moderates also include officials who must delicately balance service to diverse populations.  Some people see politics as an exciting battle or contest with clear winners and losers.  I have in the past and will continue engaging in reasonable debates and discussions with a range of actors on the political stage.  Sunlight, reason and logic will hopeful prevail over darkness, fear and manipulation.