Congress returns from summer recess as Campaign 2014 begins

The Fourth Session of the 49th Congress (4·XLIX 2013-14) meets on Monday, Sept. 16. As Patria's Congress returns from its summer recess, the usual economic issues are on the order paper (the economy has improved, at least for Patria's one-percenters) and celebrations of Amma's 60th birthday are set for the last weekend of the month. Macro-world issues such as Syria and immigration reform will also be discussed. But of course, the 800 lb. gorilla or the elephant in the room is Campaign 2014. The election of the 50th Congress will take place on April 19, 2014 (third Saturday in April, during Patriot's Day long weekend). Inauguration Day for the 50th Congress-elect is of course the traditional date of June 30, 2014.

With the election still seven months away, the Amrita-Chakra-Social Democratic "Positive Possibilities" coalition once again faces the challenge of the rightist, economic protectionist Hindu nationalist SRM and Patria's version of the Tea Party, unofficially dubbed the "Diet Coke Party". The manly-values, tungsten-tough, cigarette-smoking, pit bull-owning National Unionists wait in their mancave, pushing their usual macho law and order agenda and separating the real men from the pussycats. The Jungle Party of Jim Rome's Clones, along with the Greens, Libertarians and a whole bunch of nutbar fringe or single-seat parties could swing the balance of power.

As in 2010, you will be able to follow the campaign trail at this blog site as well as on Twitter, where a special account has been set up @Patriavotes2014 for all parties to tweet. If you have not already followed this account, please do so, as well as this blogger's personal Twitter feed @Patria1818. Don't forget to use Patria's Campaign 2014 hashtag: #patriavotes2014.