Its amazing that I have never even visited the capitol of the US, Washington DC. So this time I decided to use some of my hard earned cash and spend a few days here to get a sense of it all- a stimulus to thought about democracy and government in the United States.
Its usually nice to arrive back in the US (except when having to deal with Greyhound bus services), since almost everyone speaks fluent English, and people are generally friendly. On most of my flights back to the US, there are usually a wide variety of people from so many ethnic groups, which makes me reflect on how the US still continues to absorb so many people of different origins, offering them a chance at a different life than their original country.
Despite what a bad image the US has among some people overseas, it is still shocking to me how nice American people are when you meet them face to face. In DC, even the slightest brush or bump will lead a person to apologize. Staff at stores and restaurants are so friendly and chatty. This all makes me wonder how the US sometimes has such an unfriendly foreign policy.
The other thing which strikes me is how the ethnic balance of people in the US is so different from other developed countries. For example, I’m not aware of any other developed country that has so many citizens of African descent- which changes the dynamics significantly from either Europe or Canada. And of course there are also large numbers of Hispanics, and people of Asian origin.
DC is full of young professional looking people who no doubt are involved in some very important business related to government, lobbying etc. They look so promising, young, but perhaps also stressed out at their low position on the totem pole, and straining to reach the lofty heights. In a way, I want to join them to aspire to the reigns of power, but then realize how frustrating, and possibly futile, the whole thing would be…
After sorting out my application for a new Indian visa, I wanted to see the Congress in session. For this I had to visit my representative’s office to pick up a pass. Then it was before me: behold the Capitol building. Inside it was teeming with visitors all gawking and trying to make out what is going on with this government. It seemed perhaps a bit propagandic, and I wondered whether any of the really tough questions about the US political system were being addressed.
After a long wait I was admitted to the gallery of the House of Representatives, where a very few Representatives were discussing a funding bill to improve rail transportation in the US. It was interesting to me because I love trains and am in fact taking the Amtrak train tomorrow. It occurred to me how “provincial” the representatives are, since they by necessity have to be truly rooted in their constituencies. During the debate, the law’s sponsor would answer questions and criticisms from the other Representatives.
Another visitor, also from Ohio, told me that it is also possible to sit in on some of the committee hearings. At 2 pm, there was a hearing of the Foreign Affairs committee about the effect of global warming on vulnerable developing countries. The first strange thing was that only two of the committee members were present. In the audience were a wide range of usually young people diligently taking notes. I wondered who they were and why they were listening to this hearing. After introductory speeches by the two committee members, all of the experts on climate change had a chance to give a speech. It was all quite interesting and the consensus, of course, was that climate change is a serious problem and needs to be addressed. But I wasn’t clear where the discussion was going- will this lead to a new law or policy? Or was it just a discussion?
Another interesting event was the arrival of some official dignitaries to the Capitol building. The security guards were telling us to walk on the grass and stay away from the main driveway approaching the Capitol building. We were stopped while a row of police vehicles and limousines quickly drove up to the building. Another visitor told me the vehicles contained the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri Al Maliki, which is probably true, since I later read in the paper that he was in Washington to meet Obama and congressional leaders.
I wasn’t able to take full advantage of this trip to Washington because I was still jet- lagged. But it was a good start. Unfortunately it is very costly to stay here since the HI hostel is $45 per night, for a dorm bed- a real shock after paying as little as 3 or 4 USD per night for a nice room in Nepal.
It was also nice to see Obama’s face all over the place- no more Bush! Washington is now in the midst of a big struggle over health care reform. Let’s hope they come up with something and actually make the health care system more reasonable and beneficial to the US people.
Only a few more weeks in the US, and then onwards! Back overseas again!
Its amazing that I have never even visited the capitol of the US, Washington DC. So this time I decided to use some of my hard earned cash and spend a few days here to get a sense of it all- a stimulus to thought about democracy and government in the United States.
Its usually nice to arrive back in the US (except when having to deal with Greyhound bus services), since almost everyone speaks fluent English, and people are generally friendly. On most of my flights back to the US, there are usually a wide variety of people from so many ethnic groups, which makes me reflect on how the US still continues to absorb so many people of different origins, offering them a chance at a different life than their original country.
Despite what a bad image the US has among some people overseas, it is still shocking to me how nice American people are when you meet them face to face. In DC, even the slightest brush or bump will lead a person to apologize. Staff at stores and restaurants are so friendly and chatty. This all makes me wonder how the US sometimes has such an unfriendly foreign policy.
The other thing which strikes me is how the ethnic balance of people in the US is so different from other developed countries. For example, I’m not aware of any other developed country that has so many citizens of African descent- which changes the dynamics significantly from either Europe or Canada. And of course there are also large numbers of Hispanics, and people of Asian origin.
DC is full of young professional looking people who no doubt are involved in some very important business related to government, lobbying etc. They look so promising, young, but perhaps also stressed out at their low position on the totem pole, and straining to reach the lofty heights. In a way, I want to join them to aspire to the reigns of power, but then realize how frustrating, and possibly futile, the whole thing would be…
After sorting out my application for a new Indian visa, I wanted to see the Congress in session. For this I had to visit my representative’s office to pick up a pass. Then it was before me: behold the Capitol building. Inside it was teeming with visitors all gawking and trying to make out what is going on with this government. It seemed perhaps a bit propagandic, and I wondered whether any of the really tough questions about the US political system were being addressed.
After a long wait I was admitted to the gallery of the House of Representatives, where a very few Representatives were discussing a funding bill to improve rail transportation in the US. It was interesting to me because I love trains and am in fact taking the Amtrak train tomorrow. It occurred to me how “provincial” the representatives are, since they by necessity have to be truly rooted in their constituencies. During the debate, the law’s sponsor would answer questions and criticisms from the other Representatives.
Another visitor, also from Ohio, told me that it is also possible to sit in on some of the committee hearings. At 2 pm, there was a hearing of the Foreign Affairs committee about the effect of global warming on vulnerable developing countries. The first strange thing was that only two of the committee members were present. In the audience were a wide range of usually young people diligently taking notes. I wondered who they were and why they were listening to this hearing. After introductory speeches by the two committee members, all of the experts on climate change had a chance to give a speech. It was all quite interesting and the consensus, of course, was that climate change is a serious problem and needs to be addressed. But I wasn’t clear where the discussion was going- will this lead to a new law or policy? Or was it just a discussion?
Another interesting event was the arrival of some official dignitaries to the Capitol building. The security guards were telling us to walk on the grass and stay away from the main driveway approaching the Capitol building. We were stopped while a row of police vehicles and limousines quickly drove up to the building. Another visitor told me the vehicles contained the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri Al Maliki, which is probably true, since I later read in the paper that he was in Washington to meet Obama and congressional leaders.
I wasn’t able to take full advantage of this trip to Washington because I was still jet- lagged. But it was a good start. Unfortunately it is very costly to stay here since the HI hostel is $45 per night, for a dorm bed- a real shock after paying as little as 3 or 4 USD per night for a nice room in Nepal.
It was also nice to see Obama’s face all over the place- no more Bush! Washington is now in the midst of a big struggle over health care reform. Let’s hope they come up with something and actually make the health care system more reasonable and beneficial to the US people.
Only a few more weeks in the US, and then onwards! Back overseas again!
Posted in Country commentaries, Democracy and Elections, Government, United States, Updates | Tags: Capitol building, democracy, Government, Obama, US Capitol, US Congress, US ethnic composition, US foreign policy, US House of Representatives, visit Washington, Washington, Washington DC, Washington tourism, Washington youth hostel