Incompetency+within+the+U.S.+congress?

Incompetency within the U.S. Congress?
I am going to tell my 10-year-old brother to run for United States Congress to represent the great city of New Orleans. No, he has no qualifications to lead, no political platform, and no specific plans to better the city or the country. BUT- he has a really cool life story. While Joseph Cao, who was recently elected to represent New Orleans in Congress, may be slightly more competent than my younger brother, it can’t be by much. Cao, who considers himself to be a “Republican moderate,” was elected over a 30-year Congress veteran: William Jefferson. Yes, Jefferson’s campaign was plagued with allegations of corruption. But could New Orleans not come up with someone a little more, let’s say, “qualified” to represent their city on a national level? Cao even said himself, “The only thing I am certain of is that I am anti-abortion.” Allow me to translate: “I have no political beliefs whatsoever, and the only thing that I can think of right now to say, is something that every person affiliated with my ‘party’ believes.” I’m sure you are wondering to yourself, “Why in the world are these idiots in New Orleans electing officials that have the experience equivalent to that of a garbage man?” I’ll tell you why. Because Cao has been parading around the town re-telling his so-called, “compelling life story,” to the politically ignorant and unknowing people of New Orleans. He charmed them into winning the election. He told them all a story about how he was born in Vietnam, forced to flee the country after the fall of Saigon, and how his father was imprisoned by some Communist force in Asia. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m pretty sure that a story like that by no means qualifies a person to represent constituents in the United States Congress. Oh, but I’m sure that New Orleans is feeling quite proud of themselves for electing the first Vietnamese-American into Congress. I have no problem with the want for diversity. But when experience and political knowledge is sacrificed for good-story telling and diversification, I have to draw the line. While the country and possibly even the Republican Party may be trying to get away from the “white, protestant, middle-aged male” stereotype that seems to dominate Congress, compromising the comprehension of American politics is simply ludicrous. I would much rather see the stereotypical Congress-person filling the open seats. Because if they are the right fit for the area, and have the best ideas in order to make the country better, who is objecting? Diversity is great. But not when it’s hurting the integrity of the political officials of our country. And especially not when it is empowering the idea that an un-experienced figure with no platform can represent an entire area. No, in this case, diversity is NOT great. But the good news is, that my brother has a chance to win a seat in Congress.

Back to Anna's Homepage