Joe Pitts: “this morning I want to share a children's story that has been on my mind for the last seven months which we have all…”

“this morning I want to share a children's story that has been on my mind for the last seven months which we have all read to our children but I think it is instructive today. Once upon a time, there was an Emperor who loved his kingly clothes, in which he paraded through the palace and through the land so that all could admire him. He was very vain. His closest aides and followers were always nearby to congratulate him on how dashing he looked, how popular he was with his loyal subjects and how good his leadership was for the land. One day, however, the Emperor began parading through the land with his clothes off. He even assured himself and his followers that he was in fact wearing clothes. They just could not see them, because only stupid people could not see the clothes. Because they did not want to be thought of as stupid, his lawyers and followers and supporters agreed, 'Oh, yes, he must be wearing clothes.' And so they trumpeted throughout the land, 'The Emperor really is technically dressed but the unenlightened among you just cannot see the fine threads from which his garments are made.' They even attacked those who sought to expose the truth. And so it continues today, Mr. Speaker.”