The tribute to David

One of the benefits of being stuck at home with a chest infection is the remarkable things you get to see that otherwise you would miss. It used to be that you were lumbered with daytime TV and would have to marvel at infomercials for ab-blasters and daytime soaps. Not any more. In between episodes of Dexter and the Barchester Chronicles I happened to log onto the US to watch live as they voted for $700 billion bail out. It was strangely compelling and I still haven’t decided whether it’s proof that democracy is alive well or that lunacy runs rampant.

Soak the rich

First I got to witness a senator trying to pass an amendment that would tax people making over 1 million on property deals to pay for bail out. “The American tax payer would pay nothing!” They didn’t even bother counting the votes on that one, the nays definitely had it. However it was fun to see half of Hillary Clinton swinging her leg, looking in the opposite direction and keeping an expressionless half-face.

The significance of belated

The world waited for its financial salvation. I imagined traders glued to their screens, fingers posed over their “sell” buttons waiting for the word, yeah or nay. Home-owners across the USA hoped and against hope the news would be good for their foreclosure. The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid came to the podium with due gravitas and began a tribute to David. David works in the senate, he is part of the ‘extended senate family’ who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes with little recognition. David is an ordinary American. I thought at this stage that Reid was really labouring his point. ‘OK’ I spluttered, ‘this legislation is for ordinary Americans we get it,’ but he continued. David’s family were all mentioned by name.  ‘So on behalf of the senate I would like to offer belated....’

There were some issue with the word ‘belated. Reid hesitated. I gasped (probably because of the chest infection but I’ll lay it down to the pause). A voice to the side confirmed that it was the correct word.

‘...a belated but nevertheless heartfelt thank you for his work.’

The senate applauded, the senator resumed his seat and my jaw dropped. Here I was waiting for the big moment when the biggest crisis since 1929/1987/2001 would receive vast amounts of money and the senate was passing a motion of thanks to David. 

After that motion they moved onto the bail out package. The speeches were probably shorter than those for David as they moved with now seemly haste to voting on the bill.

It was a fascinating insight into democracy in practice, unedited by news sound bites. I’m still torn. Part of me is utterly gobsmacked that the world had to wait for David to be thanked.  How many share prices plummeted during that wait? Everyone is running around screaming about the end of the world and the senate indulges in the parliamentary equivalent of a morning tea ‘thank you.’

On the other hand, I liked the idea of David being thanked while the world waited. The crisis was no worse or no better for that thank you taking place. I hope right now that David’s children are marveling at the fact that people all over the world know their father made a great contribution to the senate. They don’t know exactly what that contribution was, Senator Reid was remarkably short on specifics. It proves that in the hallmark card of life, there’s always time for gratitude, no matter how big or how significant the fires burning around you are.

On the third hand it could have been a delaying tactic while few recalcitrant senators were duffed up in the toilets to change their vote to ‘aye’ Hillary Clinton’s half body was conspicuously absent during the thank you, so anything is possible.