Saturday marked more than a debate on health care reform. It was a battle of cute kids. Yes, you heard me correctly. November 6th was intended as the day when lawmakers would convene over the health care bill and hopefully reach a favorably consensus. Instead, it was a day of distractions and battles between children.
On the Republican side was the party’s latest spokesperson, Maddie, the 7-month child of Rep. John Shadegg’s chief of staff. While Maddie could only coo and fiddle with a microphone, Shadegg did not hesitate to interpret her intended message.
“Maddie likes America because we have freedom here and Maddie believes in patient choice health care,” said Shadegg. “She has come here to say she doesn’t want government to take over health care. She wants to keep her plan.” Okay, let us be honest. Maddie was an adorable addition to the debate; a fresh intermission from matured men and women in primary colored power suits. Yet she was also a distraction – and not the first. You can view the clip here.
Youth could also be seen on the Democrat side of the debate. Rep. Pete Stark introduced, not one child, but rather two. While he did not attempt to translate their thoughts, Stark did motion to children Hannah and Andrew when speaking about the current bill at hand.
“I encourage each of my colleagues to join me in voting yes,” said Stark, giving a nod to his twins. “I can assure you these guys aren’t going to have to pay for it in the future.”
Is this really what the health care reform debate has come to? Have our political parties really ditched PhD’s and intelligently persuasive arguments for babies? True, what is resolved by the current administration will inevitably affect future generations inclusive of innocent, endearing children. However, presenting children during Saturday’s debate was not solely an embarrassment to Representatives involved, but also likely debased the United States’ reputation abroad.
Our nation already has its share of noticeable flaws: White House intern scandals, scrutiny over Michelle Obama adorning a pair of shorts, just to name a few. After Saturday, however, the U.S. will have the pleasure of defending comments that Representatives are so unable to stand by their opinions that they need toddlers as support mechanisms.
Note to self: next time I am in a meeting with colleagues, and feel threatened, I will recruit the children that I babysit. Maybe then I will win my argument.
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Kathleen Someah previously attended Kenyon College where she studied English and Political Science. She is currently an intern with a political think tank where she focuses primarily on issues relating to homeland security.
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