Septic Tank Layering and the Congress
There are parallels that can be drawn between the stratification that occurs in a septic tanks and the makeup of Congress. Here's a diagram of a septic tank:
As you can see in the image, the contents of a septic tank separate into three layers. At the top, a light layer of semi-solid scum, mostly made up of fatty materials and a froth of fermented gasses, forms a layer in the septic tank that keeps oxygen laden air from reaching the rest of the tank's contents. This top layer is much like the right-wing teabaggers in Congress, fatty and full of gas, keeping fresh air and ideas from reaching the rest of congress. That top layer also smells very bad, much as Congress often does.
The middle layer, which is the largest part of the septic tank's contents is liquid in nature. Anaerobic bacteria thrive in this layer, causing fermentation and the creation of gasses that help lift and maintain the top layer. This layer is much like the bulk of Congressional membership, fluid and contaminated with the products of the toilet, but unable to breathe air, due to the top layer of smelly teabaggers. It churns and festers, but does little else.
At the bottom of the septic tank is a layer of solid matter or sludge. Weighed down by the two upper layers, it just sits there and solidifies, contributing nothing to the action of the fermentation in the septic tank and not really participating in the activities above it. This layer is relatively free of life, devoid of active, useful bacteria, and just keeps accumulating to become thicker and thicker over time, but not adding to the functionality of the septic tank. This layer is much like those members of Congress who do not actually make any legislation or really influence anything of importance. Content to lie on the bottom of the tank, this layer exists, but is inert and has no real function in the processes of the septic tank.
Occasionally, a septic tank develops too thick a top or bottom layer, through misuse or time. When that happens, that layer blocks the inlet or outlet of the tanks. The tank no longer functions. That is when one calls a septic tank pumping service. A vacuum truck arrives, the top of the tank is exposed and the contents are stirred by a brave person and sucked out of the tank through a hose. It is a smelly, ugly process, and most people do not enjoy watching it happen. Septic tank pumping is something like Congressional elections. If it is done properly, the septic tank and Congress function as designed, returning to usefulness and benefiting the residents of the home served by the septic tank. If it is done poorly or partially, the septic tank soon returns to a non-functioning status.
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