Two NC Democrats; One fiddling while one tries to save the Union? You be the Judge.

In today’s N&O Under the Dome section there was two interesting, but separate stories about the activities of two Democratic Congressmen, Heath Shuler and David Price.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not denigrating one, or the other, but it was interesting to see where the priorities of each were relative to the interest each devoted their time to this week. I am an analyst by profession, so maybe I tend to see more than is actually there. Or do I?

In America politics today there is no shortage of important issues needing urgent attention, some of which are so greatly important that failure to address them, in a real and material way could actually contribute to the further disintegration of Americas freedoms, liberties, leadership role in the world, national security, our health, general wellbeing and ensuring the common good. All of which our President has put in jeopardy to some degree.

According to the N&O,

Representative Heath Shuler asked Speaker Nancy Pelosi to revisit a prohibition on the word God or other religious references from certificates that accompany flags flown over the U.S. Capitol after a GOP congressman from Ohio became upset when God was removed from the requested writing submitted by one of his constituents.

Although I am sure David Price has some concern about the notorious Flag scandle, his priorities were more focused on another agenda. U.S. Rep. David Price spent his time, writing a new bill to introduce on the House floor:

“U.S. Rep. David Price, a week after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved his bill to bring private contractors under the federal criminal code, the Raleigh Democrat planned to introduce more legislation Wednesday tackling the Bush administration's work in Iraq. He wants to establish a "diplomatic surge" in Iraq, forcing President Bush to set up a regional security envoy, write a new Middle East diplomatic plan and push the U.N. to get involved as well”.

N&O Under the Dome.

I am judging neither of these men or their motives, but I cannot help but notice the very different sense of urgency and priority in their actions. Is one playing the fiddle while Rome burns to placate a Republican who did not have the courage to go to Nancy Pelosi himself?

Maybe it is just me, but Heath Shuler might consider trying to help end the Iraq war, push SCHIP through, engage in dialoge aimed at bringing Universal Health care to America, or something other than doing favors for Republican fraidycats.

Maybe I am just too sensitive.