A Modest Proposal

State of the Union Speech 2010

In the aftermath of the Tucson killings and the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Senator Mark Udall (D Colorado) has suggested that during the State of The Union speech (January 25th) Democrats and Republicans sit together rather than dividing up according to party affiliation. He thinks that such action would act as a symbol of unity and remind the rest of the world that we are all Americans in spite of our political differences. He said the current custom of having the parties on opposite sides of the House is "a negative symbol of the divisions in Congress." All of us remember the images of half the audience applauding wildly while the other half is is sitting on their hands frowning.


Such a suggestion seems to make much sense in light of all the talk about dialing back the vitriolic speech and  the metaphors suggesting violence. At such a time, one would think a symbol of unity is what our country needs. 


Unfortunately Senator Udall's suggestion will be dismissed. 


Consider what has happened since the massacre on Saturday. Two days after the tragedy, the media rhetoric and political punditry was as divisive as ever. Also, rather than accompanying the President and members of Congress to a Wednesday evening memorial service for the Tucson victims, Speaker of the House Boehner turned down the President's invitation to go with him on Air Force One in order to attend a political fund raiser - a cocktail party. Apparently he or his base fears any sign of unity. And then as an example of incivility there is the memory of last year's speech being interrupted by a Republican congressman heckling  the President from his seat on the house floor. 


 For that segment of the Republican Party, it's not The United States of America;  it is Our Divided States of America.