Today’s Gatewood goes to . . . Congressional Republicans

by David Safier

[NOTE: I created The Gatewood in honor of Henry Gatewood, the banker in John Ford's 1939 "Stagecoach" who ran off with $50,000 in payroll money and said, while clutching the satchel full of stolen money,

"'America for Americans! The government must not interfere with business! Reduce taxes! Our national debt is something shocking!"

Video at the end of the post.]

Tonight's Gatewood for Best Non-Verbal Performance goes to every Republican in Congress listening to Obama's speech. Sometimes, applause speaks louder than words.

When, in tonight's speech to Congress, Obama said some people in Congress believe the solution to the economic crisis is to cut spending and regulations, raucous applause broke out on the right — Republican — side of the aisle.

Yes, they said with their hands, we applaud you, sir! You've got us exactly right.

Here's the text:

Now, I realize that some of you have a different theory on how to grow the economy. Some of you sincerely believe that the only solution to our economic challenges is to simply cut most government spending and eliminate most government regulations.

(APPLAUSE)

Henry Gatewood would have applauded too, except the old embezzler's hands were too busy clutching the satchel holding $50,000 he stole from workers' salaries.

Here is Henry Gatewood, in his own words.