Don't blame me, I voted for the other guy

I'm a pretty popular person these days.  That's the impression you would get if you looked in my mailbox everyday.  Political candidates for every office, from Governor and Senator, to City Director and Justice of the Peace, are mailing me, asking for my vote.  While I am registered without a party affiliation, the national committee of the party I chose to vote with during the primary sent me a mailer reminding me to vote, and listing early voting locations.  They would probably give me a ride to the polling location if I asked nicely. 

Now I'm not particularly political, at least no more than the next person.  I vote, but I am not a serial voter.  It appears these mid-term elections (November 2, 2010) will have a large voter turnout.  Early voting and absentee voting have been high in my area.  Maybe there will be more than one other voter inside when I go to my polling location next Tuesday.  Selfishly, I hope not.

I don't want to post something that espouses views on issues, parties, or candidates.  I will, however, state a political opinion, on voting.

Colbert "Entertains" Congress

Comedian Stephen Colbert spoke in character before Congress this week, testifying before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.  Colbert's comedy routine was presumably meant to add publicity to the issues of illegal immigration and migrant farm workers in America. 

Colbert tells Congress farm work 'really hard'

I wish I could say something this ridiculous surprises me, but no.  That would be giving politicians too much credit for governing with direction, clarity and common sense. 

I certainly can't blame Colbert for seizing the moment.  This is the type of stunt his program, The Colbert Report, exists for; issue-oriented and funny.  He would have been a fool not to take advantage of the opportunity.  Unfortunately, the floor of Congress was the platform, and not the set of his show.

Colbert can easily justify his actions by saying he brings notoriety to the issues and, "right now migrant workers suffer and have no rights."  Really, he struck comedy gold.  

Congress, and subcommittee chairwoman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif, should have exercised better judgment, and not allowed this to happen.