Telling Time

The Democrats recently completed their much-publicized first 100 hours in office. After the first 87 working hours they passed the final piece of legislation that they had planned. I applaud them for their efforts. It always impresses me when politicians actually keep their word and their promises, regardless of whether or not I actually agree with them. Of course, not even all the Democrats thought they could actually manage it.

Apparently House leader Nancy Pelosi was less than confident in her and her fellow Democrats abilities. Ms. Pelosi kept a “game clock” of the official first 100 hours and her clock read 42 when it was all done. So what happened to the other 45 hours? I guess politicians don’t tell time the way the rest of us do. Or maybe they just work less than half the time. The latter is probably the most likely case, but even so 100 hours spent at work is 100 hours no matter what. Even if they weren’t working it should still count.

I guess it’s really a moot point though. The House accomplished what it wanted and they did it in less than 100 hours regardless of whose clock they used. I guess the questions we should be asking now are: What are they going to do for the remaining 1900 hours of the year? And what about the remaining 58 hours on Nancy’s clock?

By the Speaker’s time-keeping method, the Democrats have about another 3 weeks left to their 100 hours. How do you think they will use it? Will there be an additional flurry of work on behalf of the American public or will they sit around and pat each other on the back for the next 3 weeks? Will the public be kept up to date with the time remaining on the “game clock”, or have we heard the last of it?

Chances are, we’ve heard the last of Pelosi’s clock and the Democrats are done with their 100 hours. They’ll rest on their laurels and coast for the rest of the years and perhaps even the rest of their terms. Then, when election time rolls around again, we’ll all be reminded of everything they did in their first 100. Countless commercials will laud their accomplishments in those first few weeks and everything they’ve done for us.

Just remember, for everything they may have been done, it’s not even February yet. It’s what they do for the rest of their terms that will determine whether or not they are worthy of re-election. The energy they’ve expended for the first 3 weeks is what we should expect from our representatives for the next 49, but we’re not likely to see it. What they do the rest of the year is really more important than what they’ve done so far.