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November is, of course, the
time when we traditionally turn to Thanksgiving. I've been meaning
to stretch this out a little, mostly since one quickly runs out
of new Thanksgiving-isms when one is doing this every year, to
include Americana in general.
And I have long thought about
devoting a column to a particular American.
As it happens, this one was
born on November 4, and thus his inclusion seems entirely appropriate.
As it further happens,
the current Indecision 2000 election fiasco makes me think of
him, for the man I refer to is the great Will Rogers, dead and
gone for 65 years now, and the greatest political satirist of
the 20th Century.
He found plenty of fodder for
his barbs in both the Democrat and Republican camps, as perhaps
we ourselves do as I write. He had much to say, and on re-reading
some of his quips I'm danged if they're not as relevant today
as they were three quarters of a century ago!
I smile as I realize he must
be rolling in his grave right now, in light of the current partisan
debacle, beseeching the powers that be to let him out to write
just one more column . . .
Well, here you go, Will - knock
'em dead.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Will
Rogers.
"Washington D.C. papers
say, 'Congress is deadlocked and can't act.' I think that is
the greatest blessing that could befall this Country."
"We have been staggering
along now about [224] years under every conceivable horse-thief
that could get into office and yet here we are, still going strong."
"Every time we have
an election, we get in worse men and the country keeps right
on going. Times have proven only one thing and that is you can't
ruin this country ever, with politics."
"Things in our country
run in spite of government. Not by aid of it."
"Never blame a legislative
body for not doing something. When they do nothing, that don't
hurt anybody. When they do something is when they become dangerous."
"On account of our
being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation
in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter
what it does."
"[Congressmen] are
the nicest fellows in the world to meet. I sometimes really
wonder if they realize the harm they do."
And finally, the most
appropriate remark for the current mess, as well as a harbinger
of the Holiday Season ahead . . .
"To the Senate and
the House, a Merry Christmas. May the literacy test never be
applied to your constituents."
Happy Thanksgiving, and I'll
see you all in December (or check the printed version available
for free at Book Again for a sneak preview)!
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