The Congress We Need

From an op-ed in the New York Times on Rand Paul:

The Tea Party phenomenon has provided a bolt of energy for the Republican Party. But the case of Mr. Paul also shows the risks that have emerged as new figures move to the forefront of conservative politics, as candidates with little experience and sometimes unorthodox policy positions face the kind of scrutiny and pressure that could trip up even the most experienced politicians.

So what we're saying, then, is that we don't want our elected representatives to be real? We actually prefer wooden, stone-faced liars who only seek consensus rather than actual solutions? Or worse yet, who only seek to say the "right things" in order to get elected again and to look good, the best interests of the country be damned?

I don't know much about Rand Paul, but I would argue that we need more people in Congress like him - on both sides - who know what they believe in (and more importantly why) and base their decisions on that rather than political expediency. Things might not get done as quickly in Congress, but the end results would certainly be more meaningful and well thought-out. And the debate would be fascinating.

There's truth in the saying: "it takes all kinds."