Shays’ Rebellion re-enacted

To pick up a newspaper this weekend is to have a real live re-enactment of Shays’ Rebellion. It’s an exciting show, actually, and one not to be missed.

Obviously, I speak of current Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and his attempt to pass some acceptable form of campaign finance reform in the U.S. House of Representatives. But the play on historical words is tempting, given the 19th-century patriot, Daniel Shays, and his historical Shays’ Rebellion in 1876.

So, what does our Chris Shays have in common with that Dan Shays? Both were livid. Both spoke for the little guys and gals in the hinters who thought and think that money issues had and have gotten out of control. Those who had the money had the influence and held sway. Others, regardless of all other forms of contribution to democratic causes went ignored.

In Daniel Shays’ time, we were a new country with a lot of Revolutionary War debt. Individual citizens and government owed money. Many of citizen had his mortgage foreclosed and was not happy about it. A recession definitely did not help calm emotions. To Bunker Hill veteran Shays and his 12,500 to 15,000 followers, it felt as though they had fought against Britain to secure public rights for the United States, and they did not appreciate being deprived of what they considered their due. Though often studied as another example of a revolt against government, in the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, this rural, agrarian protest was really not so much a revolt against government as a violent protest against conditions that had become intolerable.

Enter the 21st century and current U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays. Based on today’s news out of the Capitol, he’s not going to just let this week’s antics by the House Rules Committee go. Like his namesake, Rep. Shays is upset, and he’s organizing a protest. His medium: House rules and inside-politics scoops.

“Enough of us can simply say we’re not voting for any more rules,” Shays warned House colleagues. He also hinted as his ability to advertise how his party’s fund-raising tactics. One example is that he might be willing to protest this week’s anti-campaign finance schemes with hard information on how much “soft money” committee and subcommittee chair are asked to raise by their leaders in exchange for their chairships.

Sound like another round of issues about government and its unhealthy and sometimes dishonorable relationship to money?

It’s not too much of a stretch to feel another Shays’ Rebellion coming. In fact, long-dead Daniel Shays’ actual fight might have been easily squelched when he and his brigade were outspent and outnumbered in their 1876 attempt to plunder the arsenal in Springfield, Mass. But his uprising sent a strong message that made fellow conservatives worry about a revolutionary movement to the left. (Gen. Henry Knox wrote Washington that Shays and his rebels were a bunch of communists!)

Thinking conservatives of the times found a solution in a stronger national government that better controlled feuding among states. Then, and hopefully now, too, conservatives opposed to Shays’ tactics realized that these insurgents could take the reins from them, and, lest the ones in power then, as now, take heed, the revolt could result in those in power lost it.

Like Sens. John McCain and Russ Feingold and a majority of the U.S. Senate and Rep. Shays and his co-sponsor, Rep. Sheehan and many others nationwide, some form of campaign finance reform is overdue. Supporters of reform see an unhealthy connection in think the connection between money donated to government officials as they campaign and resulting legislation (or lack thereof) is obvious. Defenders cannot see another way and tend to think the current system works may need only minor adjustment.

Interestingly, conservative leaders knew the sentiments were strong and a solution was necessary, and they found their solution in a strong national government. Obviously, today’s precise campaign finance issues beg a different solution. Still, though, a solution of some sort is required if the conservative leadership in the House hopes to remain in control.

When asked about potential retribution by Republican leaders for any organizing and/or inner secrets sharing, Shays responded: “I don’t care.”

For history’s sake, tune in. The upcoming re-enactment of Shays’ Rebellion will make for fascinating political drama and one with deep historical connections. For those of us who love politics, this could be quite the summer blockbuster and not to be missed.

Sen. Susan W. Longley, D-Waldo, is a fourth-term legislator who recently announced her interest in running for Congress to fill Maine’s 2nd District seat.