TeleComSense Salutes Rep. Anna Eshoo

As I mentioned, I had never seen the Hill so "hopping."  It was kind of like the Spring Arts Festival we used to have in college--except, no booze, no band, and not as fun.  Still, though, the anticipation of fun was in the air.  Every new Leadership, and Committee Leadership, office held an "open house."  Downtrodden, hard-working, and loyal (heretofore "minority") staffers were finally having their day in the Sun, which was really cool to see--I was genuinely happy for these staffers that had gone from being bottom dogs to top dogs.  Celebrities were all over the place--Tony Bennett was right behind Pete and I in the security line to get into the Capitol Rotunda.

Anyway, so we get to Congressman Clyburn's office, which is gorgeous . . . and packed.  Seriously, the office itself is awesome . . . beautiful views, beautiful furniture, and a really important vibe.  It's the kind of office that TV shows want you to think that everyone in Congress has, but they really don't.  I mean this office is actually in the Capitol Rotunda--and there's just not enough room in the Rotunda for all of the 535 elected Members of Congress to actually have office space there.  But not only are there lots of "regular" well wishers/gawkers (like me), but it's like the wedding scene in "The Godfather" for Members of Congress. 

When we first get there, Pete and I ran into Rep. Eshoo, and he introduced me.  And, while he knew a lot of people there, I knew . . . her . . . for like 30 seconds, before he had to say hello to someone else who came along.  In the few minutes I was sweating out how to respectfully represent my employer, Rep. Eshoo did all the work.  She was warm, charming, and engaging--not unusual for a politician--but then she said something that I believe to be genuine, she remarked about the historical significance of an African-American elected representative occupying this office (not just the Whip position, but the real estate itself, which is really cool) around 40 years after the civil rights struggle.  Her tone . . . of genuine pride, and happiness--for her colleague, for herself as a member of Congress, and for her and every other American--had no trace of premeditation; just a childlike expression of satisfaction.  That's the kind of person that should be in Congress--agree or disagree with her views, a good heart will get the right answer most of the time.

Moreover, Rep. Eshoo backs it up.  She supported keeping the banks, that were "working" the taxpayers for bailout money, from continuing to "jack" the taxpayers (who also use credit cards) a second time around. In voting for the Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights, Rep. Eshoo voted to keep banks from "double dipping" into the pocket of the taxpayer. One could speculate that her reasoning might have been one bailout is enough, but it should be clear who is getting the money, and who is giving the money (if only we had the same attitude from the Commission on USF and Intercarrier Compensation Reform).  It's no wonder that, of all House Members, Rep. Eshoo's constituents are the most contented. 

This brings me to the real reason Rep. Eshoo should be recognized this weekend of the Fourth--introduction of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation ("CALM") Act. The CALM Act was introduced by Rep. Eshoo and 21 co-sponsors, and instructs the FCC "to prescribe a standard to preclude commercials from being broadcast at louder volumes than the program material they accompany."  How many times have grown men been caught watching embarrassingly immature Spike TV programming, like "Manswers" or "1,000 Ways to Die", late at night--only because of the MORE embarrassingly stupid commercials they run with those programs . . . like "Smilin' Bob" for Enzyte pills, or those ubiquitous "Girls Gone Wild" videos?   I have to say (though this problem has never happened to me), that if Congress does the right thing, and runs with Rep. Eshoo's bill, this could be the most popular thing Act Congress has passed since the "Do Not Call" list. 

So, as we celebrate the founding of our Nation, it's appropriate to recognize good public servants.  A public servant that appreciates something as high-minded as the triumph of civil rights, while working to improve the lives of guys that just like to doze during Lifetime movies without that ShamWow guy waking them up, or having some other commercial otherwise complicate their lives, is the kind of public servant that I (and probably the Bud Light guys) believe deserve everyday recognition.  So, here's to you Congresswoman Eshoo . . . you perfectly exemplify the obligation of the sophisticated to protect the lifestyles of the unsophisticated  . . . the cornerstone of a representative democracy.  If only the rest of Congress could follow your example . . .