"Speaking of Fox News, I must mention the process of decay that affected the new republic. The flourishing, inventive and resourceful republic of old gradually metamorphosed into the decaying organism of a Banana Republic. It now exhibits as much courage and brains as the proverbial pineapple. And all of that thanks to a Congress intent on perpetuating itself under the almost invisible steering of its lobbying commitments."

We had to h

We sat in the main cabin of the 'Elena', the Professor's sail boat, this time anchored in Puerto Banus in the Spanish Mediterranean coast. After a day of sailing, a friendly Scotch accompanied by "tapas", the small and tasty hor d'ouvres typical of Spain, we felt the need to talk about our beloved country.

We had made the mistake of reading the International Herald Tribune and thus had received the daily shock caused by the unbelievable performance of that den on Capitol Hill. It prompted me to observe:

"Our wise ancestors, savvy rich merchants that they were, invented a republic where the common good was the key premise. In the process, Congress was born. For most of the time it has helped keep the struggling masses from boarding the first steamer to Australia and the rich ones from not losing any opportunity to become richer. Am I right, Professor?"

"More or less on target. But you must also remember that as the republic flourished and people managed to survive thanks to the many resources available and their own work ethics, Congress stood by and watched. During this period great things happened, along with some not so great. One was the adoption of Machiavellian tactics aimed at protecting that elite that had replaced King George's nobility in the administration of the former colonies."

"Tactics? Such as?"

"The process of setting a price, not a value, to doing things; the pricing of beliefs and convictions and the pricing associated with the protection of those in command. These tactics gradually led to a peculiar practice that lasts to today. Lobbying was born, or rather adapted to the American republic. Lobbying has existed since the first days at the Garden of Eden!"

"Please continue, Professor. Your summaries are as revealing as Fox News!"

"Speaking of Fox News, I must mention the process of decay that affected the new republic. The flourishing, inventive and resourceful republic of old gradually metamorphosed into the decaying organism of a Banana Republic. It now exhibits as much courage and brains as the proverbial pineapple. And all of that thanks to a Congress intent on perpetuating itself under the almost invisible steering of its lobbying commitments."

We had to ha

"Our wise ancestors, savvy rich merchants that they were, invented a republic where the common good was the key premise. In the process, Congress was born. For most of the time it has helped keep the struggling masses from boarding the first steamer to Australia and the rich ones from not losing any opportunity to become richer. Am I right, Professor?"

"More or less on target. But you must also remember that as the republic flourished and people managed to survive thanks to the many resources available and their own work ethics, Congress stood by and watched. During this period great things happened, along with some not so great. One was the adoption of Machiavellian tactics aimed at protecting that elite that had replaced King George's nobility in the administration of the former colonies."

"Tactics? Such as?"

"The process of setting a price, not a value, to doing things; the pricing of beliefs and convictions and the pricing associated with the protection of those in command. These tactics gradually led to a peculiar practice that lasts to today. Lobbying was born, or rather adapted to the American republic. Lobbying has existed since the first days at the Garden of Eden!"

"Please continue, Professor. Your summaries are as revealing as Fox News!"

"Speaking of Fox News, I must mention the process of decay that affected the new republic. The flourishing, inventive and resourceful republic of old gradually metamorphosed into the decaying organism of a Banana Republic. It now exhibits as much courage and brains as the proverbial pineapple. And all of that thanks to a Congress intent on perpetuating itself under the almost invisible steering of its lobbying commitments."

We had to h

"More or less on target. But you must also remember that as the republic flourished and people managed to survive thanks to the many resources available and their own work ethics, Congress stood by and watched. During this period great things happened, along with some not so great. One was the adoption of Machiavellian tactics aimed at protecting that elite that had replaced King George's nobility in the administration of the former colonies."

"Tactics? Such as?"

"The process of setting a price, not a value, to doing things; the pricing of beliefs and convictions and the pricing associated with the protection of those in command. These tactics gradually led to a peculiar practice that lasts to today. Lobbying was born, or rather adapted to the American republic. Lobbying has existed since the first days at the Garden of Eden!"

"Please continue, Professor. Your summaries are as revealing as Fox News!"

"Speaking of Fox News, I must mention the process of decay that affected the new republic. The flourishing, inventive and resourceful republic of old gradually metamorphosed into the decaying organism of a Banana Republic. It now exhibits as much courage and brains as the proverbial pineapple. And all of that thanks to a Congress intent on perpetuating itself under the almost invisible steering of its lobbying commitments."

We had to h

"The process of setting a price, not a value, to doing things; the pricing of beliefs and convictions and the pricing associated with the protection of those in command. These tactics gradually led to a peculiar practice that lasts to today. Lobbying was born, or rather adapted to the American republic. Lobbying has existed since the first days at the Garden of Eden!"

"Please continue, Professor. Your summaries are as revealing as Fox News!"

"Speaking of Fox News, I must mention the process of decay that affected the new republic. The flourishing, inventive and resourceful republic of old gradually metamorphosed into the decaying organism of a Banana Republic. It now exhibits as much courage and brains as the proverbial pineapple. And all of that thanks to a Congress intent on perpetuating itself under the almost invisible steering of its lobbying commitments."

We had to h

"Speaking of Fox News, I must mention the process of decay that affected the new republic. The flourishing, inventive and resourceful republic of old gradually metamorphosed into the decaying organism of a Banana Republic. It now exhibits as much courage and brains as the proverbial pineapple. And all of that thanks to a Congress intent on perpetuating itself under the almost invisible steering of its lobbying commitments."

We had to have more Scotch. Having to face an unpleasant reality is as bad as looking at a sick child. You must not succumb to pity and despair. And Scotch is known for its powers to defuse pity and despair. Then, the Professor continued:

"If we look at the present times we can only conclude that Congress has reached the limits of its existence. It is particularly worrisome that against the will of the people, and in the best style of a Banana republic, it has allowed itself to become an instrument of Mafia-like protection that provides a demented president with additional opportunities to lead a proud nation into the ranks of the more deplorable of the Banana Republics of the world. The current merry go round about the Iraq Resolution is proof of it. The worst part is that this great Banana Republic of ours does not even produce bananas!