The United States has many problems. A dying city in Louisiana that the federal government shows no interest in saving. A seemingly endless war in Iraq. Skyrocketing energy prices. Housing, health care and college education increasingly unaffordable. A ruinous fiscal policy drowning us in debt. An ever-shrinking middle class. But never fear, Congress is taking action! Granted, it's not about any of these pressing issues, but Congress has taken a firm stand on - defending Christmas.
Yes, the "War on Christmas" campaign is now being fought on Capitol Hill. Throwing her support behind jolly old Saint Nick, Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) introduced H. Res. 579 "expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected."
"Christmas has been declared politically incorrect," Davis declared on the House floor on Wednesday, faithfully parroting the official Fox News talking points. "Any sign or even mention of Christmas in public can lead to complaints, litigation, protest, and threats. America's favorite holiday is being twisted beyond recognition. The push towards a neutered 'holiday' season is stronger than ever so that no one can be even the slightest bit offended."
Not surprisingly, she raised a few eyebrows. "Did something happen when I was not looking?" asked Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY). "Did somebody mug Santa Claus? Is somebody engaging in elf tossing? Did somebody shoot Bambi? If you eat venison, are you a suspect? What silliness we engage in, protecting symbols."
What Ackerman knows is that there is no "attack on Christmas," no matter what Davis and Fox News think. Christmas is in no danger; one can go pretty much anywhere in the country and encounter gobs of Christmas decorations, Santa statues, candy canes, and so on. We have freedom of religion in this country to worship as we please, which is exactly as it should be. But that doesn't matter, for there are points to be scored with people who can't function without something to hate and fear.
And scored they were. One would think that the Democrats would reject such nonsense, but they unfortunately showed their usual spine, falling in with Republicans to approve the resolution on a 401-22 vote.
"There are people around who need an enemy at all times to try to separate us one from the other as Americans in order to advance their own agenda," Ackerman said. "I do not think we should be playing into their hands."
Couldn't have put it better myself. Perhaps we can now get back to real business.
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