Former Florida Congressman Alan Grayson Was a Welcome Change from Wimpy Liberals

© 2011 Peter Free

 

03 January 2011

 

 

He had a gift for exposing the ridiculous

 

I will miss Florida Representative Alan Grayson’s in-your-face liberal advocacy. He leaves Congress tomorrow, after being defeated for re-election.

 

As a political centrist who likes sound argument from all sides, I’ve been disturbed at the mostly inarticulate silence from America’s left wing.

 

Republicans dominate media attention with memorably pithy (usually intentionally false) fabrications designed to sway voter emotions.

 

Democrat Grayson capably countered from the left, distinguishing himself for the often humorous intelligence he brought to his counter-barbs.  Remember “die quickly” — his summation of the Republican Party’s health plan in 2010?

 

He delivered the phrase with the cool aplomb of a lawyer making a closing argument.  The theatrically effective moment almost made up for the health care reform illusion that both Parties sponsored at the public’s expense.

 

 

Naming names

 

Representative Grayson’s view of the Republican Party mirrors mine regarding both:

 

He has zero faith in the incoming speaker of the House, John A. Boehner, whom he calls a “tool of special interest.”

 

He called the Republicans “a hopeless sellout party that will never do anything constructive for ordinary people in this country.”

 

© 2010 Michael Barbaro, He Entered Congress Swinging, and Exits That Way, New York Times (02 January 2011)

 

 

What’s in store?

 

When government does not govern, it should entertain.

 

With Grayson gone, we’ll be back to milksop do-gooders as punching bags for fisty fat-cats.

 

That’s too one-sided to be fun, especially as we slip beneath Reality’s (ignored) waves.