August 15, 2009 11:32 PM UTC

Markey bringing human shield to constituent meetings: George Washington

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• by: BobMoore

Watching constituent meetings across the country degenerate into shoutfests, members of Congress are looking for ways to keep their meetings more civil.

Enter Ben Marter, press secretary to Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Fort Collins. Marter recently was re-reading George Washington’s “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” and thought it would be a good idea to share those with constituents coming to Markey’s upcoming meetings.

“It’s kind of a fun but also a very serious reminder to all of us that we’re all Americans, we’re all Coloradans and everyone deserves a chance to be heard,” Marter said.

More details here: http://www.coloradoan.com/arti…

To keep things on one page, Marter had to cherry pick 8 of Washington’s 110 rules. I think he missed some opportunities, which I outline below the fold.  

Not making the cut on Marter’s abridged list:

“No. 2: When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.” It would seem to be timely to tell constituents that gesturing “I got your reform package right here” is not a way to score points in a health-care debate.

“No. 7: Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Drest.” No congressional townhall has yet been streaked, but it never hurts to remind folks that it’s inappropriate behavior.

“No. 13: Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexteriously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off prvately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.” Even President Obama needs to be reminded occasionally that it’s rude to kill flies in public. The Father of Our Country here offers sage advice on removing the spittle that’s bound to fly at the upcoming meetings.

Fore a complete list of Washington’s rules, see my Coloradoan blog: http://bit.ly/4Cwf8e