“We are not to consider ourselves, while here, as at church or school, to listen to the harangues of speculative piety; we are here to talk of the political interests committed to our charge.”

Wish that our congress would follow this line of thinking.

Will they?

My guess is no.

ABSOLUTELY ! ! ! The occupying statist theocracy infesting this land, in enforcing its national establishment of religion, considers itself at church and the school of social engineering / proselytizing, listening to the harangues of speculative piety, 'NOT' speaking of secular political interests at natural law committed to each representative's charge.

When Congress starts viewing the populace as responsible ADULTS instead of perpetual children in need of perpetual regulation, only then can we say that our government represents us. Well said, Mike.

Speculative piety. Socialism within the Christian denominations represented within Congress at large. Wanting to legislate morality, withhold doctrine, ( knowledge ) for the sake of power and money. There is an old saying, " Preach what you live ! " Which they so seldom do. Constructive Fraud committed against the people by Congress and the IRS !

E Archer and Mike said it well.