Congressman Wants Designated Day of No Complaining
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16679)
Boston, Massachusetts
November 19, 2009 9:57am CST
I bring this up only because it poses a grave danger to the potential earnings of political posters at myLot.
We all know the economy is in bad shape, unemployment is rising, there are concerns over Afghanistan, health care reform and the role of government. People are sending pink slips to Congress, warning them that their jobs could be at risk if they don't stop the rampant spree of spending taxpayer money. But one intelligent member of Congress has come up with a solution - a national day of "No Complaining".
That's right. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)is seeking co-sponsors for House Concurrent Resolution 155, designating the day before Thanksgiving as the official “Complaint Free Wednesday.”
Of course you can understand the possible ramifications if all of us political posters at myLot stopped complaining about things for a whole day. Earnings would plummet.
More importantly, it's interesting to note the Congressman's solution to the rising tide of voter dissatisfaction. It translates basically to "just shut up about it, will you?"
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/16708838/Dear-Colleague
Will you participate in Complaint Free Wednesday? Remember, this means that if the day before Thanksgiving the store is all out of cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie filling, you have to smile - and no swearing at the woman who just bought the last ten boxes of stuffing mix...
3 people like this
11 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
19 Nov 09
Here's a thought. I say we start a counter campaighn. Make it a national day of "complaining to congress". Convince as many people as possible to write every single one of their senators and represenatives with as many emails, calls, letters, as possible. Choke the crap out of them. I don't care what party you are in, who you complain to, or what you complain about, heck, maybe you didn't like the tie they had on in that interview the other day, let em know about it!
[b] ************OFFICIAL NOTICE************
As a member of the political section and a citizen of these united states, I hereby declare Wednesday, Novermber 25th to be Nation complain to congress day....because I can.[/b] complain till it hurts!
:D
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
19 Nov 09
Not a bad idea.
Actually, they may all be a bit more effective and less harmful to the nation if we made them more conscious of what tie they are wearing and kept them worrying about trifling details than if we let them actually enact legislation like health care reform. I think distracting them from their duties might be just what is required to save the nation.
How about a campaign to "Distract a Legislator" to keep them all busy elsewhere until the 2010 elections?
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
19 Nov 09
They have a 'national day' for just about everything.
Doesn't mean anyone pays attention, and they know it. Just like you said, another way to tell us to shut up about it! And another way to show contempt for those who complain about THEM.
I do have one bright thing to say about this...it is good to step back and think before you complain. What Congress may not be realizing...is we have done that collectively already. We've considered deeply what is taking place...and once we decided to complain, there is no shutting us up with promises and pretty speeches anymore.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
19 Nov 09
It is good to sit back and think a bit before complaining. That way you can be sure you don't miss any of the really important points.
It feels like propaganda, it feels like a slick, feel-good jingle. Don't worry, be happy.
I don't think we are going to fall for it. They'd better start doing something useful up on the Hill or they won't be there for long.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
19 Nov 09
According to CNN 5.5 million pinks slips were sent to Congress and were noticed.
Is there some REAL hope?
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
19 Nov 09
I really don't think a plummeting loss to my account of 4 or 5 cents is going to break my bank so I would not have a problem refraining from having any political complaints for 24 hours (give me more time to think up more for the next day ). However the other type of complaints will be extremely hard to do.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
19 Nov 09
Oh and I can see where this leads to. Once this day is passed, then the next day there will be a notice in the papers and the rest of the media is that "All America is satisfied with Obama and the Democratic run Congress. No one has any complaints, and the economy is in better shape then it has ever been thanks to our wonderful president and his good leadership."
The part about not complaining to the cashier that they ran out of cranberry sauce, that the turkey costs umteen dollars a pound, that your kid does not clean his room is small potatoes.
Well I am Canadian and we would never have a rule like that. Of course, that does not forbid polite disagreements, does it?
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
19 Nov 09
You're right. I wonder if one of Adolph Hitler's cabinet had a no complaint day. I would not be surprised. And after that the papers and radio stated "Everyone loves the Fuhrer!" Sure sure. Just like everyone likes Obama and is willing to give him more chances to make mistakes then - (fill in any of your former presidents).
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
19 Nov 09
*sigh
Another great moment in congressional facepalm history. I'm running out of facepalm pics and I don't have anything that nearly covers this one but...well here you go Congressman Cleaver, this is the best I could dig up. Doesn't even begin to cover it.
2 people like this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
19 Nov 09
oh my goodness, can't this guy actually do his job. What does a "day of no complaining" have to do with improving this horrible situation this country is in?
Where is that in his job discription.This guy needs to be kicked out of office if he thinks this is important enough to take up even a second of his time on it. Becuase he does not have a clue about the state of country or his role in doing something about it. He is either an idiot or completely clueless.
By the way...if it passes I will make that day "completely complain" day. Anyone else with me?
Plus doesn't that go against freedom of speech? I have the right to complian if I want to. Whenever I want to.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
19 Nov 09
If you read his letter to his fellow congressmen, he points out that complaining is bad for your health. So, he's really just trying to make us all a little bit healthier...
I agree that with all of the important issues facing Congress, this bit of fluff is not only a waste of time but ultimately insulting to the American people.
1 person likes this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
19 Nov 09
If congress wants to improve my health than they need to start doing their jobs correctly, practicing fiscal sanity, kick out the lobbyists and stop all the BS....all of that is causing my blood preasure to rise alot.
@musicman6 (2407)
• United States
19 Nov 09
Well if they would come up with some decent Congressmen, that are for the people, for one day, then the people could go without complaining for one day also!
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
20 Nov 09
Hello Rollo, can I complain that we can't buy cranberry sauce over here? I have an excellent stuffing recipe if you need it though as we don't have boxes of the mix on sale here either. The home made is so much nicer as I have lots of fresh wild sage on my doorstep.
@coolcoder (2018)
• United States
19 Nov 09
This idiot can shove his "No Complaining Day" up where the sun doesn't shine, because there's no way you can force people to stop complaining, even for one day. I think it's merely a tactic to stop people from criticizing His Majesty President Barack Obama, Her Royal Highness Princess Nancy Pelosi, and His Royal Highness Harry Reid. Sorry Cleaver, but your idea is one big FAIL, in my book.
@paleorainy (630)
• Italy
20 Nov 09
Lol!! Omg, but with all the things that need a resolution, they talk about complaints??
And what are they going to do to me if I complain? Lol! These people need a job!
@apierson (15)
• United States
20 Nov 09
So... Wednesday before Thanksgiving nobody is going to be allowed to complain... which means my entire crazy family is going to come into my house after 24 hours of not being able to complain, sit down in my living room, eat my thanksgiving cooking, and Im supposed to expect a happy holiday??
Me thinks this is a very bad idea, how about we change it. Make thanksgiving the day nobody can complain so when my family is half way out the door I can REMIND them all that they are supposed to clean up after thanksgiving while I sit and have a cocktail :D Now that - sounds like a happy holiday.