Lawmaker asks people to stop complaining, and gets an earful

[babylonsister]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/79259.html

Lawmaker asks people to stop complaining, and gets an earful

By David Goldstein | McClatchy Newspapers



WASHINGTON — Rep. Emanuel Cleaver wanted people to stop complaining for a day and count their blessings.

What he got, however, was just more complaints.

Indeed, the Missouri Democrat was on the receiving end this week of an angry torrent of ill will from conservative Web sites about him and about Congress.

It was a reminder — as if anyone needed it — that in the era of 24/7 smack-down politics, nothing is out of bounds.

"We're such a polarized nation and we look for things to argue over," Cleaver said. "But to argue over complaining?"

What became instant fodder for the Web, talk radio, podcasts and even the old-fashioned nightly news started innocently enough.

Cleaver offered legislation in June to set aside the day before Thanksgiving as "Complaint Free Wednesday." He did so at the request of a Kansas City-area faith-oriented group that was promoting positive attitudes toward life.

It was a warm, cuddly puppy of a bill. It encouraged "people to look forward, not backward," Cleaver said in a letter to House colleagues seeking support, a "meaningful and powerful reminder to prepare for a day of gratitude."

snip//

"Next time you ask people to count their blessings, duck."

[Bluenorthwest]

1. What a disingenuous thing to say

Thanksgiving is dedicated to counting our blessings and it is a long established holiday. What this religionist wants is not thankfulness but complacency. Being aware of one's blessings does not mean one is unaware of one's problems. This Cleaver attempting to foist prosperity Gospel theology through the law ought to be ashamed of himself.