So, the newly sworn-in House of Representatives provided for a reading of the Constitution today. This was an interesting civic ritual, and I'm disappointed that it was the damn Republicans that came up with this.
Why?
Because the Constitution is not a document wholly owned by 21st century conservatives. But the tea partiers and the right-wingers who run the Republican party have appropriated the Constitution symbolically as their exclusive provenance. Just like they've done with 9/11.
Here's the thing. The Constitution, the American Revolution, World War II, 9/11, etc. are shared American experiences. Liberals and conservatives shared them and continue to share them. Allowing them to be appropriated for by only one set of partisans is un-American.
We on the left can not allow this to happen. We should embrace the ritual and fight to take back ownership of the symbolism.
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