another modest proposal

In 1729, the legendary satirist Jonathan Swift wrote and published A Modest Proposal For preventing the Children of Poor People From being a Burthern to their Parents or Country, and For making them Beneficial to the Publick. “A young healthy child well nursed,” he reasoned, “is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasse or ragout.”

We’re in extra innings in D.C. as I write this. The U.S. House has started a tenth attempt to elect a Speaker in an agonizing fiasco that even has Fox News aghast. There are many ways this could play out, so, before the GOPers start boiling and/or fricasseeing the republic, allow me to offer a more modest, less cannibalistic proposal: Larry Hogan.

Hogan, a moderate Republican, is governour of Maryland. He presents on the news shows as a pragmatist, a problem solver. If he couldn’t get enough votes from his party alone, a bipartisan coalition could get him across the line. Kevin McCarthy, long an empty suit, has to be stopped. He’s already promised so much to so many that he’ll burn to a crisp, not a hearty ragout, as soon as Nancy hands him the gavel.

It doesn’t have to be Hogan. There are other accomplished, reasonable Repubs out there. Mitt Romney comes to mind. John McCain would be at the top of my list, but, you know.