After 250 years of continuous operation with only two brief pauses and one very tense four-year period nobody likes to talk about, democracy is exhausted.

I can tell. Can't you?

The Symptoms

Classic signs of an overtired democracy:

• Irritability — Nothing gets done and everyone is angry about it
• Poor decisions — We've all seen the results
• Inability to focus — Three-hour hearings that accomplish nothing but excellent C-SPAN clips
• Sensitivity to criticism — Try explaining a policy position at Thanksgiving

These are textbook fatigue symptoms. My toddler acts exactly like this before she falls asleep face-down in her mac and cheese.

The Proposal

I'm suggesting a mandatory 90-minute democracy nap. Not a shutdown — we've tried those, they're too stressful. Just a rest.

All branches close. No tweets, no press releases, no emergency committee meetings. The Supreme Court puts on a weighted blanket. Congress goes horizontal.

Counterarguments I've Considered

"What about national security?"

Fine, defense keeps one eye open. But everyone else: eyes closed.

"What about free speech?"

Still free. Just... quieter.

"Isn't this dangerous precedent?"

Everything we've done for the past 30 years is dangerous precedent. At least this one ends with everyone feeling refreshed.

Conclusion

We cannot solve our problems with the same level of exhaustion that created them. Rest is not surrender. Rest is strategy.

Also, everyone is mean when they're tired. That part I know for certain.

Donna Tcare is an opinion columnist. She has not slept since 2016.