The US Congress continues to show both it’s disdain for the average American, and how truly detached and isolated from you and I they really are. Like aliens from another planet…

First, Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), son of Senator Edward Kennedy, pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to treatment, 1 year probation, $350.00 in fines, 50 hours of community service, suspension of driving privileges for 6 months, and a suspended 10 day jail sentence - meaning no jail unless he violates the terms of his probation.

D.C. Attorney General Robert Spagnoletti said Kennedy “…has been treated like any other citizen found guilty of driving under the influence.”

That’s funny; police already admitted that they gave him treatment that was different than everyone else. There was no field sobriety tests of any sort conducted and Kennedy was taken home by police after their superiors were summoned to the scene.

Any other “citizen” would have been given the test; and if they refused, it would be administered…

And they would restrain that person, and do it by force if necessary…

After their vehicle was impounded, resulting in several hundred dollars in fines to get it back…

Then they would have been jailed, humiliated, probably lose their job and had to pay thousands in lawyer’s fees and fines.

If there is anyone other than the son of a sitting Senator out there that has ever been chauffeured home by the police after a DUI vehicle crash, I would love hear from you.

Congress accepted a cost of living increase to raise their annual salaries up to 168,500.00. My wages have decreased 55% over the last 3 years. What about yours?

In 1989, Congress enshrined into law annual COLA increases that were automatic unless they were blocked. To his credit, Jim Matheson (D-UT) attempted to restore a patina of ethics to the process by trying to get a recorded vote on the COLA. Needless to say, it was soundly defeated.

A big Brontosaurus bone of contention I have with the politicians in this country is that they have a system where many times their votes are never recorded.

Or they abstain.

Or they vote “present” instead of yea or nay.

Or they don’t vote at all when they feel their colleagues votes are enough to do the job, so it’s not their neck on the voter’s chopping block back home.

Or worst of all, even have the audacity to have a vote not to have a vote on something.

Every person in this country should demand from their politicians RECORDED VOTES on EVERYTHING, except that which would compromise national security. That’s what you sent them there for.

How can you make informed decisions about the people you choose to lead you if there’s no record of where they stand on controversial issues? They are using this as political cover; a back door tactic to avoid having their feet held to the fire for their vote for or against an issue.

Whatever your political persuasion, it makes no difference, we’re all in this together