My dad didn’t have a closet full of fancy clothes. His work attire consisted mostly of blue jeans, work boots and whatever old shirts were handy. But he did have a few suits and ties for special occasions — and Sundays were special occasions. Dad would often don those decades-old suits and ties when going to church, as these were his “Sunday best.” His view was, in order to show respect when going to church, you should always wear your best clothes, regardless of what those are. He didn't judge others for what they wore, but he chose to wear his best.

When Ronald Reagan was president of the United States, he shared a similar approach to dress. He chose to always wear a suit and tie when he was in the Oval Office. Anything less would be disrespectful to the institution, he noted.

One night while I was in college, I was waiting for my friend Jeff before we were going out for the evening. I was waiting because he was ironing his blue jeans. I asked, “Who irons their blue jeans?” He said, “I do. I want to look my best.” I couldn’t argue with that.

Times and the definition of respect have changed in recent decades. Blue jeans and work boots seem to be more common in church today than suits and ties. Bill Clinton will forever be remembered for “the dress” in the Oval Office. And irons seem to be nothing more than dust collectors for most people, if they have one at all. Somewhere along the line, we lost the meaning and importance of “dressing for success.”

All this brings me to the recent decision — and reversal — on the United States Senate’s unofficial dress code. It all started when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer directed the Senate's sergeant-at-arms to stop enforcing the unwritten dress code rule, allowing members to wear anything they wanted — gym shorts, hoodies, whatever. Ultimately, Republicans and Democrats voiced concern. They argued that allowing casual clothing on the floor disrespected the institution and the constituents they serve. West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin and Utah Republican Mitt Romney introduced a resolution earlier that would formally instate an enforceable dress code for the Senate floor. The resolution requires business attire, specifying “a coat, tie, and slacks or other long pants” for men. Oddly, it didn’t say anything about women. Ultimately, on Sept. 27, lawmakers voted unanimously to enact a business dress code for the Senate floor.

Some people think a debate over a dress code is silly with more important issues like a potential government shutdown at stake. Maybe. But I would guess that Ronald Reagan is smiling right now, and my dad and my friend Jeff are, too.

Have a magnificent Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here.

These celebrities were born on this date: Sharon Osbourne, Guillermo del Toro, Brandon Routh, Tony Shalhoub, Scott Bakula, David Cameron, Spencer Grammer, Jackson Browne, Annika Sörenstam, Scotty McCreery, Tyler James Williams, Sean Ono Lennon, Mike Singletary, Lecra, Jharrel Jerome, Melissa Villaseñor, Cocoa Brown

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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Why did the pianist keep banging his head against the keys? HE WAS PLAYING BY EAR! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, He was drumming into his memory! Rex Post. Or, He wanted to “hammer” home the point that the piano is frequently considered to be a percussion (concussion?) instrument! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, He was playing the first song that came to his mind. -  S. Hill Watkins

Today's riddle

What do you call a group of chickens all clucking in unison?

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