I sometimes get the impression that, despite age requirements written into the Constitution, this country seems to not be lead by men, but rather by boys. While I appreciate the desire to incorporate some litmus test for maturity and wisdom, those qualities are often completely unrelated to one’s age. “It takes two things to be a man,” the saying goes, “Honor and a penis.” As Chris Rock would say, “the only thing you have to do to be a man is take care of your business.” To put it yet another way, real men own their problems.

One of the few absolutes about Congress is a complete lack of accountability and responsibility. It’s all, well, politics. When a politician votes in favor a failed program, he was part of the majority. Most people made that mistake. Why hold a single person responsible for the mistakes we “all” made? When a politician votes against the program, he’s a visionary. Full credit where credit is due, as they say. Vote for a successful program? Credit. Vote against a successful program? Cautious with taxpayer money. Vote for a program that doesn’t pass? Hamstrung by naysayers. Vote against a program that didn’t pass? Responsible.

Congress seems to believe that there are no wrong answers. There’s no penalty for bad decisions to them personally, so why care? To them, there’s always a way to take credit, declare victory, and rally support – but that’s not how the real world works. When there are consequences to every decision Congress makes, but no consequences for those who make those decisions the system breaks down. The only time the voter’s displeasure ever registers with them is six weeks before an election and when their offices are bombarded with phone calls and town halls are bristling with angry voters.

Perhaps most disturbing of all has been the response to the latest uproar over health care. The liberal supporters of nationalized health care aren’t debating the issue. They aren’t disproving the arguments used against them. They aren’t explaining why we need such an expansion of the federal government, they’re labeling the opposition as phony and unamerican.

It’s childish.

More than that, it’s sad. Does anyone else find it ironic that a community organizer would label opponents of his health care bill organized by other groups as phony? Has everyone forgotten that dissent is among the highest forms of patriotism? Can anyone explain to me the difference between voters that are disgusted with Washington and voters that are supportive of a platform? Do their votes count less because they signed a petition, or because they attended a town hall meeting, or because they dare question their representatives?

The President and the Congress own this bill. It belongs to them. It’s their idea. It’s their proposal. It’s their agenda. It’s their goal. A real man would take responsibility for it. A real man would explain to me why this has to be done. A real man would accept criticism and be able to deal with it. A real man would focus on the business at hand. A real man would work with others, be willing to compromise to accomplish his ambitions, and would do it all with honor and dignity.

Name calling is something children do. Not listening to someone because they don’t agree with you is something children do. Taking your ball and going home when the game turns against you is something children do. Spending money on new toys with no regard for where it’s coming from is something children do. Carrying on in a fantasy world where all problems can be solved with one magical decree is something children do.

I’m not asking for much. If you genuinely believe that we need to expand the federal government’s role in health care to protect the underprivileged, I won’t ask you to change your mind. I’ll disagree with you certainly, but everyone is entitled to their opinions. What I’m asking for is simple: be a man. Tell me, directly, to my face why you disagree with me. Look me in the eye and tell me where I’m wrong. You are my representative. Do your job. Listen to what I have to say. Work with me to get things done. Read the bill. Don’t play games. Don’t give me a wink and a nod. Don’t slide provisions in during closed committee meetings. Don’t try to get something passed and then change the bill in reconciliation. Don’t claim you’re listening when you’re not.

There is cowardice in running away from your problems. There is a willful ignorance in labeling those that disagree with you. There is a supreme arrogance in our elected officials when they believe their constituents don’t matter. There is a shocking hubris expressed when 52% of the vote is interpreted as a mandate for a radical change.

Democrats, you own a majority in both houses of Congress and the Presidency. You proposed this bill. It’s your party. Own it. Take responsibility for it. Act like a adults and treat us like adults. Explain yourselves. Descending to this level of behavior is childish.

Grow up.