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.