Finally, A Congressman With a Solution: Stop Complaining So Much
by Capitol ConfidentialSure, the economy sucks. Unemployment is at least 10.2% and, yes, if you include part-time workers who would rather have full-time jobs it may be over 17%. The government is showering our cash on Wall Street and burning through piles of our children and grandchildren’s money “saving” phantom jobs in Congressional Districts that don’t exist.
Oh yeah, and Congress is planning for a government take-over of our health care system, legislating higher energy prices and raising taxes. Sheesh, no wonder we’re feeling blue.
Well, not to worry, three-term Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) has found a solution: Stop Complaining So Much. Rep. Cleaver is currently circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter, seeking co-sponsors for House Concurrent Resolution 155, designating the day before Thanksgiving as the official “Complaint Free Wednesday.”
You see, as the Congressman explains:
From time to time, we all experience anxiety, frustration, stress, and regret. And often, we respond to these feelings with a criticism or a complaint. Regrettably, complaining keeps people stuck on current problems, inhibiting them from thinking constructively to find solutions. Research has also shown that complaining can be harmful to one’s emotional and physical health; relationships; and can limit professional career success.
Really. Full letter and more after the jump.
We will set aside the question of whether Rep. Cleaver has discovered the risk of too much complaining only because his party’s legislative proposals are tanking in the polls. We do think it is interesting that he believes we should focus on “solutions” and “look forward”, subtle prods to enact new laws and programs.
We are torn on the larger question of whether Congress should even be wasting any time on such silliness as “official” days for this or that. On the one hand, it is surely a waste of taxpayer money and a decidedly unserious response to our challenges. On the other, though, every moment spent on things like this is a moment that isn’t spent re-regulating huge swaths of the economy.
We do know one thing, though: The Age of Pericles this ain’t.
[Ed Note: Cleaver's letter was sent electronically to Hill Offices. To better present the letter to the public, the text has been copied onto House of Representatives letterhead. The text wasn't changed or edited in any way.]
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688 Comments
CONgressman Cleaver just exudes CONfidence……….
Grow-up Congressman. We can't wait until 2010 to throw the Bums out.
This clown should be NUMBER ONE on the BOOT OUT list. He's as dumb and corrupt as the day is long.
http://noliberalspin.blogtownhall.com/2009/11/18/...
The Anti Liberal Zone
Why doesn't the idiot send a letter to all of his colleagues asking for their support in addressing the $105 TRILLION unfunded mandates of Social Security and Medicare over the next ten years? The guy is obviously an idiot, and he needs to be voted out of office at the next opportunity. Typical intellectually vacuous Democrat.
What an idiot.
What a really STUPID idea! Why am I NOT surprised that the "idea" came from a DEMOCRAT!!!
Idiot
Hey Emmanuel here’s a memo for you.
Daily we Americans are torn by the blatant corruption and power grabs that you low life Dems are trying to push on us. Empirical Research has shown that the anxiety created by a government trying to take over every aspect of our lives leads to an electorate contemplating torches and pitchforks in a March on Washington. Socialism can be harmful to one’s health, one’s career, and one’s personal and professional success. So here’s a suggestion for you Emmanuel take your little sophistic memo and shove it up your %$#@&^*!!!!!
What a waste of space this imbecile is. Meanwhile, illegal alien jihadists are pouring across the border, jobs are disappearing, and Obama is pushing socialism. IT'S TIME TO RESIGN, CLEAVER!
http://www.AntiObamaSticker.com
i thought DC had gotten as stupid as they could, i was wrong.
Sure – just shut up and quit complaining! You don't like what Congress is doing? SHUT UP and QUIT COMPLAINING!! Congress is just going to do what they want so complaining will DO NO GOOD. . . Obviously complaining doesn't work, and voting doesn't seem to either – after all the cheating and efforts of the liberals that has been the norm for so long. So – SHUT UP!!
How about a day without Congressional graft, corruption and lobbyist thievery. Only a DemocRAT would come up with an idea like the one this article is about. FACT: Our debt is now rising at a rate of $1 million per minute. These people are committing treason on our country and our people.
I am so sick of this new Nanny / Police State that we now live in!!!
Makes me want to PUKE! How did these people get elected to office?!?
rr
Why not call it, I love Obama Day.
wonder if he would've liked this policy when 'W' was in office…
We suspect not. So, therefore all we need is a stiff shot of shut the #*!@ up.
Nice going, congressweenie…
Will this resolution allow our "representatives" to close their doors, shut off their phons and ignore their mail? If so, why the resolution. To them every day is No Complaint Day. If this turd wants aNo Complaint day, then he needs to do his job and not give us anything to complain about.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by Drudge_Siren: CONGRESSMAN PUSHES ‘DAY WITHOUT COMPLAINING’ RESOLUTION… http://plu.gd/4lj...
And while we are celebrating a "No whining Day", let's all have a rousing course of Kumbaiah, hold hands and then throw the freakin idiots out of Congress and the White House!
Beaver originally wanted to call it "Shut Up and Take It Wednesday" but Wally said that wouldn't get any traction.
I'd be so proud if the Beave was my Rep.
Looks like Will Bowen from acomplaintfreeworld.org (coincidentally from the Congressman's home state) is trying to get stimulus money to pay for a bunch of his feelygoody books to be distributed to our indoctrinated youngsters.
Your tax dollars at work.
My God, this country is in so much trouble. Can we get it back?
This is what's important to Congress?
Vote these imbeciles out in 2010.
You know, I've always wondered about 3-termers and beyond; do they stay because they can cut it in the real world?
Nit-wit Pin-head
YEAH!!!!!!!! What SHE just said!!!!
I am shocked. Normally they would just ask to rename the subject so they could loose the stigma surrounding there efforts to take over your life choices. This is a new approach,,, oh wait no it isn't. The Democrates control the media and they have taken the same ignor it solution. Appears we are well on our way to a Pitchfork and Tourches march on Washinton,, just bring a bullet prooof vest and a gas mask,, you may need it.
Uh, isn't this, at it's basic level, the removal of our 1st Amendment rights of Free Speech?
Hey, how 'bout this: We'll stop complaining if you stop spending!!!
Renee,
Great post. I'm so ready to kick these numbskulls out of office, I pace the floor waiting for our next general election. I hope you have a bunch of friends who think just like you!!!
Great post. I'm so ready to kick these numbskulls out of office, I pace the floor waiting for our next general election. I hope you have a bunch of friends who think just like you!!!
Mr. Cleaver! Roll that bill up, and stick it where the sun don’t shine. The audacity of the political class is sickening! 2010, 2010, 2010…
I vote for a legislation free decade. Let's push that through.
How will they know when they've reached the goal of 1%? Will the results be made in as transparent a manner as that on recovery.gov? Because if that's the case you just know they'll fudge the numbers and not divulge the number of people who are still actually complaining. And while one can't argue the point that the resolution of a Complaint Free Wednesday would be a meaningful and powerful reminder to prepare for a day of gratitude, are we to believe that it would indeed be revenue neutral? Ha! People will stop complaining without federal funding? Not happening. Other than that, I've got no complaints.
I like what Libertymoon had to say. I agree that if they are having trouble with complaints that means they might finally be listening to us.
They should drop these crazy ideas pushed by George Soros, the Chicago Mob, California Crazies, general numb skull Democrats, and left wing RINOs. Listen to the People of the United States, we're over our heads in debt. RINOs like W. and his gang started it and Obammie and his Chicago Mob are making a bad situation 10 times as bad.
Get a grip congress…..
If you squint a bit, you can see this exception in the penumbra.
The ONLY reason Social Security is in trouble is that the government EVERY YEAR SINCE ITS INCEPTION has drained the fund dry and replaced it with worthless IOU's.
Doesn’t our legislature body have more inportant things to do then to ask us to quit complaining. Maybe if you guys and gals in Washington would get up off from your A$$ and get some work accomplished we wouldn’t be complaining so much. I think the people in this guys district needs to rethink their election vote. Oh wait – that would mean another Missourian on Un-Employment….
Is there anything that the Democrats don't want to control?
Douche Bag comes to mind…..
This is exactly the stupid childish crap democrats think up when they realize they are failing.
Question: Will each violation/complaint be treated as a separate felony? And will anyone who complains be punished with a fine of up to $250,000 or 5 years in prison?
Let them keep talking their crap…it's just going to make US scream LOUDER!!!!
Krap. I knew he'd be a Dem but did he have to be from Missouri.
Don K
St Louis
It would take a dimwit Demonrat, to come up with such a STUPID idea. Demonrats, have turned every AmeriKan city into Hell's Outhouse's, our schools into indoctrination idiocy, and our economy into one from a Third World toilet !! Arrest the scum and imprison them all ( Demonrats , that is) for treason, malfeasance, and for general deviant behavior !! TODAY !!!
COMPLAIN LOUDER
Are we actually paying these F'n morons? How about a congress-free day (decade preferrable) there, congressman? How about a media-not-kissing-the-black-presidents-butt day? How about one damn day without hearing the phrase manmade global warming, or, manmade climate change.
Why did I know this was a liberal even before pulling this article up? Maybe we could all hold hands and sing the Obama song while our country is being flushed down the toilet.
When they REJECT the public option healthcare reform bill, stop all this massive spending, create more jobs, control the borders and obama stops apologizing to the international community for the US, Pelosi, and Reid resigns I'll stop complaining!
Did I leave out anything?
Letter to Congress. Please join me in co-sponsing of a resolution A.F.J. 1776 to designate the year 2010 as the year the American People stand up and say – “Hey Listen to Us”. From Time to Time we have all experienced stupidity at its best. We have had to listen to politians on both sides of the isle promise one thing then deliver another. We have had to deal with laws and regulations which are not of our wanting. We want an America that we can be proud of. We want illegal aliens to register to become Citizens or go home. We want our language to be spoken on every school ground, every phone message, every document. If you cannot speak it or read it – learn. We are tired of polticians complaining when we protest or speak out against what they are trying to do. Join me in this resolution to stand up and take part in your America. Thank You
The anti-incumbant movement is growing daily. We need to throw all of these bums out. With all of the serious issues out there this is their solution? Complaint Free Wednesday.
Didn't the Soviet's adopt and enforce the "no complaint day" policy. Their policy differed in that it was for 365 days a year.
LET'S ALL RECYCLE!!!
-*barf*
Here, here! My next "Complaint Free Day" is election day 2010!
Eight freakin' years of "George Bush's Huge Deficits" and "Bush Lied, People Died", and NOW we can't complain?
Why does Congress propose a bill to "Stop lying deceiving, and cheating"?
When all the sitting corrupt members of Congress resign for failure to represent the people who put them there, we will stop complaining. Just shut up and do your job Cleaver.
perfect example of the soft tyranny. imagine a guy like this when soft tyranny becomes hard tyranny. he won't be asking for "complaint free Wednesdays". he would be throwing people in jail who didn't conform to it.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Partisan Media Group, Big Tweeting. Big Tweeting said: BigGovt: Finally, A Congressman With a Solution: Stop Complaining So Much: Sure, the economy .. http://bit.ly/2sukgc #BigTweet [...]
If Americans ever stop complaining about outrages, Congressman, it's because they will finally have reached the point where they'll be aiming. Be happy they're complaining.
I'd like to propose an "Official Day of Complaining to Congress". That day should be set as any day that a representative or senator is talking.
I was reading the post from previous writers and wondering why GWB/NYC says 7:06 PM, Dennis says 7:05 PM, Jack Sprat says 7:05 PM and mine says 12:04 PM… What Timezone are you all in……Just complaining. Wait – can I be fined for that – or go to jail if I complain???
YOUmadeamistake. You're giving NObama too much credit. Unfortunately, his 1.5 TRILLION dollar 2009 deficit is almost THREE million dollars every minute.
How,over 50% of the american people elected him remember!!!! HOWS THAT HOPE AND CHANGE WORKING FOR ALL YOU STUPID,LEFTWING COMMIES WORKING FOR YOU NOW HUH!!!!!
Otherwise known as the "Shut up and Take it up the … " proposal? (And from one of my reps from teh "Show me state".. *sigh*.
Actually I'm for extending this another 364 days with a rider stating that all MOC must stay in their home district & off the streets. I would not complain during this period and it would be safe for a year in the Good Ole USA.
They can call it "Shut up, we know better than you" Day. I bet the media lapdogs will eat it up, though.
Nice. "Quit complaining and let us spend your money in peace." Do they not have anything better to do than this?
Perhaps as long as they continue to focus on minutiae like this they'll be distracted from spending more of our money… but I doubt it.
What a bozo! I aplogize to all the real clowns in the world. This guy is a joke! We should complain even more!
We will have a day without complaining… Nov 2, 2010, when we throw the bums out
Let them eat cake eh?
This is as bad as that pinhead Dennis Kucinich and his "Department of Peace" BS. I hope the good Democrat voters of Missouri are proud of this idiot. Trouble is, they probably are.
When I saw the headline, I knew it was a Democrat. Idiot.
wasnt it one of idiot obama's hate America party members that said – IT IS PATRIOT TO COMPLAIN
oh, but that was only during the time of Bush – right?
he's typical obozo sycophant
Here's a clue: Stop giving us so much to complain about, and maybe you'll get your complaint free day.
for the media – everyday is "I love Obama day"
My "Complaint Free" Wednesday will hopefully arrive after "Throw Them Out On Their Collective Backsides" Tuesday in early November of 2010.
I assume this guy has enough time on his hands for this silly shit. Get back to work congressman, your time is almost up.
hope this country can make it to 2010
How about a USA without politicians?
Stop pushing legislation that will kill jobs and bankrupting the country and we'll stop complaining.
This is so stupid you couldn't make it up!
This guy should be a poster child for "Throw the Bums Out!"
How about a DAY without some ignorant Congressman proposing useless and meaningless legislation?
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.
Winston Churchill
the obozo sycophants already started by censorship of obama fact teller, Joe Wilson
No #$% ? Wow, did you come up with that one all by yourself Mr. Obvious? What does everyone expect when they keep voting the same overspending, overpromising, underdelivering representatives to Congress. 40+% are lawyers, 40+% are millionaires (some many times over), and these folks are representative of the people in society? They are elitist ideologues who have no clue what they are doing. Their #1 priority is to get re-elected to grow their power base. Why else would a Bloomberg spend millions of his own money to get a job that pays a couple hundred $K's? All out!!….throw them all out!!. Every last stinking one of them. We'd be better off holding a lottery amongst registered voters (same way we pick jurors) than electing the same party ideologues. The Dems are the worst offenders, but Repubs aren't far behind. We'd be better off if D.C. burned to the #$%*& ground. At least it would take them a few years to start spending money on stupid $#%*& again.
How about this: On the "Complaint Free Wednesday" everybody should email and phone both Cleaver and their own congressman with complaints about the awful job they are all doing. Turn this thing right back around on this nincompoop! If he can't stand the complaining – get out!
Can I exercise my 1st Amendment right and tell the Congressman to "Bite Me".
And this is the best we can do in this country? What a joke!
Ward, June and Wally are probably just as tired of hearing him complain every time Eddie Haskel hits him up side the head!
You have got to be f**king kidding me!!!!!!! Throw these a**holes out!!!!
Emanuel Cleaver's office numbers are (816)842-4545 [Kansas City] —– (816)833-4545 [Independence, MO] —– and (202)225-4535 [Washington DC.] Call and COMPLAIN about the time and taxpayer funds this pinhead is wasting!
This is Bush's fault!
I agree- time to stop complaining. Instead- chamber a round, let your breath half out, and send a message downrange.
We are looking at 14 trillion dollars in debt, a deficit of 2 trillion for this fiscal year and a total of 106.8 trillion in unfunded liabilities and this asshat worries about complaint free Wednesday. When he is voted out of office maybe he can join the chorus.
First, Complaint Free Wednesday…
Then Complaint Free Wednesdays…
Then Complaint Free November…
Then Complaint Free 2012…
Good thing King George didn't think of this…
Dear CongressAss: I would like to register a complaint about your moronic "no complaint day"…….
It is Congressmen like this who waste their time on such stupid resolutions that make it necessary that we KEEP complaining lest they get all their crazy, destructive ideas for this country implemented. Just because no one is pointing out that bad things are happening doesn't mean they aren't happening – except in the minds of liberals, I guess, where saying something makes it true even when it isn't. The rest of us would call this lying, but not them!
How about a day without Congress!
How about we make next the next two Tuesdays… TEED OFF TUESDAY! We all draft a letter, email or prepare a statement to read to all of our reps over the phone that complains about Congress and the administration. (pick your own complaints) Flood their email, mail boxes, and phone line with millions of complaints in the Tuesday before Thanksgiving! Then we can spend the holiday with family and friends, prior to sending in our complaints again on Tuesday December 1, 2009, which is when they should be returning from their extended holiday!!
It's easier for both of us if you don't resist.
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