Members of Congress gathered on the steps of the Capitol on Thursday to hold a solemn candlelight vigil for the American working class, hours after voting down a bill that would have helped it and moments before leaving for a five week recess.
Sen. Dutch Ravelle, who has voted against every wage measure of his career, delivered a moving tribute to the dignity of labor, then accepted a donation from a lobbyist standing directly behind the candles. Rep. Tandy Crispin called the working class the backbone of the nation, using the tone one reserves for something already dead.
Attendees agreed the vigil was deeply meaningful, cost nothing, changed nothing, and photographed beautifully. A follow up moment of silence has been scheduled for the next time the cameras are available.