Learn English with Brian Regan - Why Do People In Government Talk So Weird?(Stand-Up Comedy)
Transcript
I’ve been watching these senate hearings. Those things are bizarre. The way they talk to each other at that level is so strange. At our level, if we don’t like somebody, we say like, “Hey, I don’t like you.” At that level, they’re nice for four minutes, and on the fifth minute, they kick them in the teeth. “First, I wanna thank you for coming and answering our questions. On a personal note, I had the pleasure of working with you on the Armed Services Committee. You care about your constituents. On the education bill, you did a lot of work. I know you care about charities, and that’s to be commended. Why do you lie, cheat and steal?” [audience laughing]
I went to one city council meeting. Man, was I disappointed. These people wanted to build a building that was higher than what the law allowed. So, I didn’t know why there was a meeting. [audience laughing] Can I go to a city council meeting, “Um, I’m tired of stopping at red lights”? [audience laughing] Yet there was a meeting to discuss this. The guy representing the building said, “Here’s the deal. The law right now is a building cannot be any taller than 30 feet. But my clients wanna build a building that’s 700 feet. [audience laughing] So, clearly, we need to compromise. I have a proposal for a 657-foot building.” City council just approved this thing. And everybody left. I wish I had done this. I wish I’d have said, “Excuse me. Before we wrap up, I have a final proposal for the city council. Right now the law is I’m not allowed to rob any liquor stores. [audience laughing] But I wanna rob a hundred liquor stores. So, clearly, we need to compromise. I have a list of 50 liquor stores.”
Difficult Phrases and Words
senate - the smaller upper assembly in the US Congress, most US states, France, and other countries.
bizarre - very strange or unusual, especially so as to cause interest or amusement.
Armed Services - military
constituents - the people politicians have been elected to represent
charities - organizations set up to provide help and raise money for those in need.
commended - praise formally or officially.
city council - the governmental body at the local level
proposal - a plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one
wrap up - finish (informal)
list - a number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other.
Discussion Questions
Have you voted for a senator? Why did you vote for that senator?
Do you have a bizarre story?
Do you enjoy learning about the armed services’ new technologies?
What would you ask/tell your political representative as a his/her constituent?
Is there a charity you support or do not support?
Was there a time when you commended someone for doing a good job?
Have you ever gone to a city council meeting? What was it like?
If you had to submit a proposal to city council and you had unlimited money for the project, what would the proposal look like?
How do you wrap up your shopping list? Do you get any dessert, candy, etc.?