It’s beginning to feel a lot like empty resolution time for House Republicans:
It was just six weeks ago that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) decided he was fed up with empty, meaningless congressional resolutions. These largely symbolic measures are taken up all the time — it’s been routine fare for years — but Boehner decided they’re now evidence of Democratic negligence. “These are your hard-earned tax dollars at work,” Boehner scoffed.He apparently didn’t persuade his own caucus. This week, 19 House Republicans unveiled a resolution (H. RES. 951) to make it clear that Congress likes Christmas.
Whereas Christmas is a national holiday celebrated on December 25; and
Whereas the Framers intended that the First Amendment of the Constitution, in prohibiting the establishment of religion, would not prohibit any mention of religion or reference to God in civic dialog: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives–
(1) recognizes the importance of the symbols and traditions of Christmas;
(2) strongly disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas; and
(3) expresses support for the use of these symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas.
Setting aside the issue of wasting taxpayer dollars, this is just about the most pathetic display of insecurity imaginable. Christmas is the only major religious holiday at this time of year. And we already know it’s a national holiday because there’s no mail delivery, schools are all closed, and the parking lots at the malls are empty. Not to mention the fact that no one is stopping, or has ever tried to stop, “those who celebrate Christmas,” from using their “symbols and traditions.”
I personally think that John Boehner and his ilk don’t want to admit that Christmas has lost most of its religious meaning in this country because of that “American way of life” for which they are the biggest boosters. So instead of examining that, they blame the atheists, the secular humanists, the liberals, and the Democrats, and make up stuff about the Framers’ intentions. Heck, it’s better than going in for this personal responsibility stuff.
Hey, Boehner, take a memo: Go ahead and say Merry Christmas to every stranger on the street if if floats your boat. As long as I can get my take-out Chinese food every December 25, I’ll be happy as a clam (even if I won’t eat one).
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