This is How Congress is Spending Time?
While trolling through today's Floor Proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives for our other job (it's an exciting one), we noticed something that will probably get no coverage anywhere else. However, we think it is important to note when Congress singles out one faith as important.
We think it's doubly important to note when the vote is taken while Congress fights with the Bush Administration over funding the government for the next year, haggles over an omnibus energy bill that could affect what fuels we use to power our country over the next 25 years (at least) and is working to pass the Farm Bill which affects what you and I eat. Seems like there are more important things to do than to try and erode the separation between Church and State, don't'cha think?
Sure, H. Res. 847 "Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith" is a non-binding resolution which means that technically, it doesn't do anything. But now that it's been passed, this resolution is a part of the record and can certainly be used as a sense of the Congress. Plus, dang it, voting on such a thing is simply a waste of time.
Finally, they did it on the last night of Hanukkah. Sheesh.
Before we go any further, let it be said that Seattlest has nothing against Christians, their faith or Christmas. In fact, some of our closest friends are Christians and we wish them and others a Merry Christmas every year. But we find something particularly insidious when our elected representatives spend time and money passing a bill to recognize the importance of one system of belief and one of its holidays.
For the record, The United States House of Representatives
- recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;
- expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;
- acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;
- acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;
- rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and
- expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.
What does this have to do with Seattle? The resolution passed unanimously 390-0 including votes from all of Washington's representatives Yikes. We looked at the roll call vote for a different bill. Seattlest Seth pointed out that in fact this bill passed 372-9 and Rep. Jim McDermott actually voted "no." The Seattle Congressman was the only Washington rep to vote "no." The rest voted "yes."
