WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

Who are the men and women who we support and elect to represent us?

What happens to these people?  Some of us know them personally; we have worked for them, and with them.  We have gone to school or social functions and church with them.  We have laughed, cried and complained along with them, yet when they arrive at the state or federal legislature a transformation takes them over.

No longer are they approachable or even reachable unless you have cash for their campaign war chests.  Their new friends seem to have only a string of last names that you find in a lobbyist directory. 

When WE knew them they lamented over the $424.00 repair bill on their wife’s 7 year old car, now they sign off on legislative bills in the tens or hundreds of millions.

When WE knew them they would be the one standing in front of us at the grocery store expressing concern over how they would afford to take that vacation to the beach, lake or amusement park.  Now they get to jet away on “fact finding missions” to many exotic destinations across the globe.

When WE knew them they were proud of their faith and held onto it.  They were happy to see and be seen with us.  Now they grimace at the thought of having to publically expound their beliefs or moral convictions, and are embarrassed to acknowledge our existence, let alone let it be known that they actually may believe the same things we do.

When WE knew them they flew the flag on holidays, if not always.  They forwarded emails which support our service men and women; they unabashedly stood when the flag passed in a parade, sang the national anthem at events and were thankful for living in this nation.  Now they are hard pressed to reiterate in a group of more than a few people that they are proud to be an American.

We all know that they cannot fight back the onslaught of the corruption and quid pro quo that is Washington, or the State capital.  That is they cannot do it alone.  If you know a politician who has not forgotten who they are inside; not in front of the cameras or microphone, let them know you appreciate their service and support them.  But do not keep straddling the country or your state with people who are out of touch with those things which made you think they could do well in their position.  To continue to return ineffective, arrogant and say anything politicians to the seats they occupy is yet another sign that we are not learning.  Elected officials occupy seats which are not theirs, they belong to us.  “The devil you know is better than the one you don’t” can no longer be used as a legitimate reason to return someone to the legislature of a state or the federal government.