Why the Oscars remind me of Washington.

The Oscars. It is always a very long show and I always stay up way past my bedtime. I am usually not too impressed and mostly tired the next day. It is so not worth it. But for some reason, I watch year after year after year.

The "Academy", the organization to whom everyone always thanks during their 'thank you' speech, is really only a group of about 6,000 people who are part of the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The largest block of voters are actors and actresses. The rest are in the industry, but are producers, lawyers, art directors, cinematographers, film editors, makeup artists and the like.

So, it is really an insider group that votes for themselves and their contemporaries. Much of it is quite political in nature as they pander to each other for votes.

And this brings me to Washington.

Washington should just admit that they do the same exact thing. Oh, sure, we elect them from the outside. But, we oftentimes elect a facade really. An actor. Or actress. One who pretends to have our interests in mind.

They may have had good intentions, but once they enter the inner sanctum of the Congress, all bets are off. This small group, about 535 people, mostly men, then become quite a tight-knit bunch. They do what is best for themselves, their friends and any special interest group that brings them money or power or votes.

Or all three.

They pander to each other for votes. They lie. They lie about each other. They lie to each other. They pose for the TV cameras. They write books. They appear on Leno and The Daily Show. They dance on 'Dancing With the Stars'. The only thing missing from this particular group is their own award show.

Wouldn't it be fun to have an award show for Washington? Hmmmm. Not sure what they could call it. I can see them now, all dressed up with their botoxed faces and bleached teeth. They could parade down the Capitol steps dressed in all of their finery. Perhaps be interviewed by Joan Rivers. Could be simulcast on E-Network and C-Span.

They could have awards such as 'Best Campaign Lies', 'Worse Use of Tax-Payers Money', 'Most Pork in Bills Sponsored', and 'Least Likely to Do the Right Thing'. There may even be an award for good things done as well, but those would be rare.

Richard Shelby would win for 'Most Ridiculous Political Move' (remember the "blanket hold").

And there could be a special award for politicians who have already left the building--like John Edwards. 'Biggest Putz'. (The Biggest Loser is already taken)

Oh, I think it is a marvelous idea and much more interesting than the State of the Union Speech.

Yawn. A boring performance at best.

Yes, Washington is very much like Hollywood. Plastic and phony, yet, mildly entertaining. And filled with tabloid fodder.

And just like the Oscars that I watch year after year, I will also keep watching and paying attention to politics and voting for the guys (or gals) I hope will make a difference.

I am still hopeful that one day it will finally be worth it.