“Staff has now informed me of what a Kardashian is. I’m only left with more questions.” — Former Rep. John Dingell, in a tweet sent at age 88.
Few political institutions across time have wielded such influence as the US Congress. Begun in 1775 as a unicameral firewall against colonial monarchists, the body has since for better and for worse helped orchestrate the course of history
Over that span, both scoundrels and champions have populated the two chambers. For every John C. Calhoun there’s been a Charles Sumner; for every Joe McCarthy, a Shirley Chisholm; for every Mitch McConnell, a Maxine Waters.
But, save in instances of those with higher than average profiles — say, Ted Kennedy or John McCain — far too many of today’s most solid legislators leave public service without much, if any, fanfare.
This pattern of neglect is no doubt connected to the public’s disdain for just about anything and anybody having to do with the House and Senate (a March 1, 2019, Gallup poll estimates only 26% of Americans approve of Congress’ current performance), yet by offering paltry praise to exiting, quality legislators, there is an even greater disconnect between the governed and governing.
Although given ample attention in alternative and a few mainstream media outlets, the February death of former Rep. John Dingell stands as the latest example of how many Americans have more emotional bandwidth for TV network dating show losers than real-life political gamechangers.
Dingell’s legacy as America’s longest serving member of Congress should by itself garner wide attention. For nearly 60 years the crusty Michigan Democrat with the chiseled chin went to bat for people and causes, most of them unpopular at the time.
When he stepped down in 2015, due to advancing prostate cancer, Dingell’s legacy as a champion for liberalism was already secured, having written or helped spearhead legislation on civil rights, environmentalism and endangered wildlife. So long was his tenure, he casted yes votes for both Medicare and ObamaCare.
As with many that elbow their way to federal office, Dingell was not without detractors. On the issues, he was both an environmentalist and fierce defender of the auto industry, including its resistance to stricter pollution sanctions. Dingell was cozier to the NRA than most of his constituents and liberal colleagues could abide. Likewise his off-the-clock hours spent with the likes of Ronald Reagan and Newt Gingrich.
But, as with LBJ, Ted Kennedy, Tip O’Neill and other liberal lions come of age in the last century, Dingell’s philosophy of politics was clearly more relational and less ideological than that of most anyone sitting in the hallowed chambers today. Theirs was an era when more occupants of those halls understood you can’t win ’em all, and sometimes you have to forego the perfect for the good.
It’s probably not healthy, this longing for a halcyon time when party purity was less on display. Yet the fact remains: every now and then a true leader is elected to high office, serves long and well, then for one reason or another slips from the ranks. And when they do, surely we can afford them something more than a boring five-minute CNN profile … right before we dial up “The Bachelor”, Season 23 Finale, Part 2.
In rerun.
Don Rollins is a Unitarian Universalist minister and substance abuse counselor living in Pittsburgh, Pa. Email donaldlrollins@gmail.com.
From The Progressive Populist, May 1, 2019
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