Thanks Congressman

Is anyone surprised that another Louisiana politician is in trouble? Congressman William Jefferson, a member of the United States House of Representatives from New Orleans, Louisiana, has been indicted. Why? He used the National Guard to retrieve personal belongings, including a substantial amount of cash from his freezer, from his home during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Let's set aside the fact that said Hurricane was the most devastating event in the history of his congressional district for a moment. Let's focus simply on the facts that would apply under any circumstances. Congressman Jefferson was caught removing several thousand dollars from his freezer. Why on Earth would an elected official keep his money in the freezer? Looking deeper, we can assume that this is not just a simple case of paranoia. A pretty safe assumption. Banks are on solid footing, and Congressman Jefferson is too intelligent to think that his money was only safe if protected by Kenmore. He was hiding that money. Why? Why would someone hide several thousand dollars? Simple. It was gained illegally.

What? How dare I accuse a member of congress of such a thing! This is no long leap of logic. There is no conceivable reason that any man would hide money unless it was ill gained. Also, it was likely not reported to the Internal Revenue Service and that for the same reason. It was either stolen, which is unlikely, counterfeit, which is possible, but also not likely, or it was given to him for the purposes of using his influence in a manner that he was not proud of. The shame is the giveaway. A man, who has nothing to hide, hides nothing. If the Congressman was not ashamed of the money, and had no reason to hide it, then it would have been in the bank, and a matter of public record.

Now that is a point that has not been made as of yet. Congressman Jefferson's financial statements are a matter of public record. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you that this Congressman from New Orleans was hiding from his constituency something that was their right to know about. Why, New Orleans, was he hiding anything from you? Why, then, New Orleans, when given the opportunity last fall to hold him accountable, did you re-elect him?! This is not a new story! This has been going on since Katrina came through. In the time of your city's greatest need, your elected representative was stuffing his pockets with swag!

Now let us concentrate on that little tidbit. When has New Orleans needed Congressman Jefferson more than it did in August of 2005? Where was he in the time of greatest need? He was filling his wallet with that wrongfully acquired cash instead of helping his people. He took an escort from the Louisiana National Guard to assist him as well. The Mayor and Police Chief were in the heart of the city, working their fingers to the bone for the betterment of the city, and Congressman Jefferson was doing what? Worrying about his pockets. What did he do for the people of the city that day? He visited the ninth ward, he went to the Superdome, he went to the areas that were the most critically damaged, and then he went to his affluent neighborhood, opened his freezer, and made a withdrawal. He played tourist, then he played teller.

There is one thing that he accomplished, however. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. of California, has stated that Congressman Jefferson should be expelled from Congress. Congratulations Congressman Jefferson. You have managed to make me agree with Madam Pelosi.

Why should I care?

"I don't care about politics. " "I get tired of all of the mud slinging." "They're all just alike anyway." Time after time I have heard these statements from people that are complaining about the way this country is run. Time after time I have responded, "well, do something about it." That's easy enough to say isn't it? "Do something about it." People look at me like I'm crazy, but what else is a representative republic for?

This country was founded on a simple principle. A government must represent, not rule, its constituents. That's us folks. The government is put in place to bring about our desires. How cool is that? These people that we have elected are put in place to do WHAT WE TELL THEM TO DO. Isn't this a novel concept? It must be. After all, when was the last time that you wrote your congressman? How about your Senator? State Representative? ANYone? Yet here you sit, complaining to yourself about the fact that they'll just ignore you and do what they want. I know you are, because I've done it myself. Of course they will. Why? Because you are sitting here, thinking thoughts like that instead of voicing your opinion.

If our elected officials receive no input, then they assume that their will is also the will of the people. Well, guess what. It isn't in a lot of cases. The people of this nation are fed up with politics as usual. Great! Tell someone! You oppose the immigration bill. Fantastic! Tell your Senators and Congressman! You support said bill. Swell! Tell your legislators! Be active. Get involved. Learn what is going on. Why? Because it has an effect on your life. This is how things work. Don't sit back and assume that anyone is going to do the job for you. They will not. It is up to you and it is up to me. Let every man stand up for what he believes and let his voice be heard, or forever, as they say, hold his peace.