It is always a bit of a shock to see the big machine come fully alive after the holidays. We all knew it was coming but the abrupt nature of the change is dramatic. There is- or was- some uncertainty about who was going to determine the tempo of events coming out of the New House. It appeared resolution was a matter of concessions by the former Minority Leader to a more rigidly defined segment of his new and narrow majority. We are now on the 12th ballot, only a mile or so away from the balcony at Big Pink.

One of the most significant events of the morning is the one on the Rules Committee. It is not resolved as we write, so the rush into the first full weekend of the New Year is yet to be determined.

You may have heard the pundits talking about “inside baseball.” That is a term useful to describe the minutiae of how important but largely opaque positions and rules are made to rule us. Which is to say, it is only incomprehensible to those not on the inside. We seriously doubt that anyone has breathed a word about the “Rules Committee” prior to this bout of excitement, and it will disappear again as soon as someone seizes power in a democratic fashion in the Chamber.

Based on the vitriol demonstrated thus far, the Overton Window principal appears to be in effect. The “window” Professor Overton describes an oscillation in acceptable public discourse that bounces between the “unthinkable” to something a slight majority of potential voters will accept with either enthusiasm or reluctance. The two more hysterical wings embracing the unacceptable ends of the Overton Window are strengthened to scream at what used to be the middle. A report from the Supply Department indicates another trip to the Belmont Farms Distillery may be required to achieve a proper balance.

We have family in this Chamber, the one on the second floor, so will allow this magical day to unfold all on its own. There will be answers. We hope they may show up on the internet or something later. Maybe the Overton Window between the unthinkable extremes will happen. It is the way baseball is played here.

–       Vic

Copyright 2023 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com