Shortly after I moved from Texas to Kansas City -- I convinced myself that God wanted me to buy a brand spanking new GTO. It was the hottest and fastest car on the affordable car lot and I deserved it. So I made the purchase.
Within a span of about four months, I was stopped and ticketed three times for speeding. And along with the citations came threatening letters from my insurance company stating that I could be dropped or my premiums could rise substantially.
To be sure, that GTO would not cooperate with artificial speed limits. It wanted to move along speedily. It seemed to say to me, "If you want to go slowly, get a mule and wagon." Predictably, I was again ticketed. This one was devastating because I was clocked, on Thanksgiving morning, at 60-something in a 45 mph speed zone.
On or about the 22nd of December, I found myself sitting nervously in a Kansas City municipal courtroom awaiting the hammer from the Judge. On my $600/month salary, I had managed to save $150 for Christmas gifts, but my fine would probably take it all. The worst thing that would likely happen after the Judge ruled would be the cancellation of my auto insurance. Bye, bye to my GTO and hello to a snail speed used car.
"All rise," the bailiff ominously shouted as the Judge entered the courtroom. I braced myself, psychologically, for the worst, as the Judge took his seat. As best as I can recall, these are the words I heard fall from the lips of the Judge. "Because this is the week of Christmas, I am going to pardon all of you who are facing traffic violations. Please rise and go out and have a Merry Christmas." Had God been good or what? Salvation had come to me.
Each year, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are countless acts, similar to that of the benevolent Judge. During this season of the year, ordinary people routinely commit random and anonymous acts of altruism.
People reaching out to total strangers to help them with jobs, overdue bills, needed items for kids. People who stop for a second and hold a door for someone, who check on a neighbor, who grab a few extra groceries for the local food pantry. People who give a little more of their time, their talents and their treasure … because it is THAT time of year.
Even in the once revered halls of the House office buildings, an impulse of kindness and generosity can easily be detected during this devotional and festive time.
Imagine what could be accomplished on behalf of the people of this great nation if we, in Congress, spoke and acted like every day was a holiday. Such a practice could, very well, be the oil that reduces the friction that has practically paralyzed our government for years.
Imagine what could be accomplished on behalf of our communities if we spoke and acted like every day was a holiday. Such a practice could, very well, be the heart needed to breathe live back into the soul of our cities and neighborhoods.
Imagine what could be accomplished on behalf of our families if we spoke and acted like every day was a holiday. The example we could set for our children and our grandchildren, the tone we could set in our schools, our churches and our workplace. The goodwill we could inspire by treating all people – as people. Not good or bad, not Republican or Democrat, not friend or foe -- but as human beings worthy of attention, respect and a smile.
Leo Tolstoy said: "Before you can hope to make the world better you must make yourself better." This is solid advice for Congress. Before we can heal our sick economy and rebuild faith in us from a hurting and skeptical public, maybe we ought to begin, through our kindness and civility, making every day on the Hill – a holiday. Perhaps this is solid advice for all of us. What kind of place would the world be … just think about it … if we treated every day like a holiday?
Happy Holidays!
(This is a summary of the Congressman's Holiday message – to see the complete message please click on the video above.)
LOWER TAXES, MORE JOBS, SUPPORTING UNEMPLOYED
I was beyond disappointed this week after a vote on the Bipartisan Senate bill was rejected. That bill had 90% of the Senate supporting it – Democrats and Republicans. The bill would have extended the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits. This political posturing in the House of Representatives is hurting hard working American families and it must end.
Passing this bill would mean reduced taxes for the middle class. Some 160 million middle class families will face higher taxes next year if an extension is not passed. The bill would mean extended unemployment benefits for more than 2 million people who are out of work through no fault of their own. And the bill extends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs (TANF).
Enough is enough.
We must begin to stop all of the fighting and bitterness and work together for the good of the American people. It is what they expect, what they deserve and why we are there representing them.
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Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
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