What the hell? Who voted against Nicklaus’ Congressional medal, and why?
So you know that Jack Nicklaus is up for the Congressional Gold Medal, which is a high honor and all that. What you may not know is that four members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted against Nicklaus receiving the honor.
What? Who would vote against the Golden Bear?
Well, Deadspin did a little checking, and it turns out that, uh, the reasons are pretty sound. Or at least they sound sound. It's political hoo-hah, but whatever. For instance, there's this line from Rep. Reid Ribble: "As members of Congress we need to be doing real work, not just filling time – especially when our economy is struggling and our nation is $15 trillion in debt. As a golfer myself, I love Jack Nicklaus, but I love my grandchildren more."
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Rep. Justin Amash took a different tack, having a problem with the whole idea of awarding a medal to a guy who hits a little ball with a stick: "I think the original purpose of the Congressional Gold Medal is better than Congress' modern practice. Jack Nicklaus had a legendary golfing career. But I think it's better to reserve the medal for those whose heroism and self-sacrifice was made to save the lives of others."
Rep. Jason Chaffetz and Rep. Scott Rigell held similar stances. So, yeah, while we want to think our guy is the greatest on earth, perhaps there is something more important than golf after all … I know, I don't believe it either. I'd rather just think Congress is wrong and broken.
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