"That is how, folks, you talk to a do-nothing Tea Party Congressman."
So... I'm working the Stephenson County Democrats booth at the County Fair, right?
We're getting ready to call it a day when Republican Rep. Bobby Schilling walks up with an entourage of fascist Tea Baggers looking for a photo op shaking the hand of a local democrat.
I take the Congressman's hand and tell him, "We've met before, Congressman."
"You do look familiar," he tells me.
"Yeah," I tell him. "I debated Paul Ryan's bullshit budget you supported with the Tea Party's John Arn at the Rockford Public Library."
"I remember!" says the Congressman. "We're just doing what's best for America!"
"Getting rid of two tax brackets," I tell him - my voice getting a little louder, "and consolidating the rest so that middle class Americans get a tax hike isn't in my interests as an American, Congressman."
"We're going to have to agree to disagree," the guy says. "Don't you think that we're both trying to do what's best for the country?"
"Well, no, Congressman," I say to him. "I think some people have their own interests at heart, instead of the country's."
It's at this point that my voice is DEFINITELY above what could be considered a calm or level tone.
"Right down the street, here (in Freeport, Illinois), you have the Sensata company getting ready to lay off all of it's workers and ship operations overseas. Your response was to write a letter and "beg" the CEO of Sensata to reconsider the move. You are a Congressman, sir! Do you represent all those Freeport residents who are going to be soon out of a job, or do you represent the company?"
Instead of even trying to formulate any sort of reasonable response the man tries to say something about the President - but I interrupt the Congressman at that point and remind him that we're not talking about the fellow living in the White House, but just what it is he is going to do as our local Representative about a local factory closing shop shipping everything over to Communist China.
The guy knows he's not going to get any good press out of this exchange, being just a tad-bit brighter than all of his Tea Party supporters, smiles, and beats a hasty retreat without saying another word.
As he walks away I give it one more shot: "Do your job Congressman: Represent your constituients."
All the folks at the other County Fair booths around us just stand and look at me, like, 'What just happened? What did we just see?'
"That is how, folks, " I say as I return to breaking down the booth, "you talk to a do-nothing Tea Party Congressman."
= new reply since forum marked as read
Welcome to DU!
These assholes always expect us to be polite, smile, and just go along with their program. They simply are not prepared for people like you who KNOW their stuff, and aren't afraid to hold their feet to the fire.
"I think some people have their own interests at heart, instead of the country's."Beautiful. And I'll bet it'll be a long time before he tries to use a democrat for a photo op!
"Right down the street, here (in Freeport, Illinois), you have the Sensata company getting ready to lay off all of it's workers and ship operations overseas. Your response was to write a letter and "beg" the CEO of Sensata to reconsider the move. You are a Congressman, sir! Do you represent all those Freeport residents who are going to be soon out of a job, or do you represent the company?"
Everyone of those assholes should be asked a similar question.
You hooked a big fish, had'm alongside the boat...gave us all a nice look...and then let'm get away.
They flip and flop and are too slimey to get a good hold but I know if we learn how to play them better we'll eventually have them for breakfast.
Good catch, just the same.
Good fishin' to ya....
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I, too, wish there was video for this exchange to be put up on YouTube. Considering the fact that you were talking local politics, I hope that enough people around heard you.
Proud of you, sir (or ma'am)! 
Glad you're on our side.
Without "S - H - I - L - L."
rocktivity
