Congressional Celebration

On Nov. 18th, congress celebrated as Robert Byrd became the one man in history to have served in congress for almost 57 years and all I can say is, WOW! I find this truly incredible. I mean think about it, really. Look at just a couple of the greatest Americans of all time:

George Washington for instance was a member of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1783 and most of that he wasn’t even there (he was on the battle field fighting in the American Revolution). He returned in 1784 to the Constitutional Convention where he was elected (unanimously) president of the convention. In 1789 he became the President of the United States, an office he was reluctantly elected to for a second term and refused for a third term. He retired his Presidency in 1797. Overall, he only served 22 years with 8 of those as President and a good portion on the battle field.

Thomas Jefferson was a delegate for Virginia to the Second Continental Congress in 1775 where he wrote the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, Jefferson was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates until he became Governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. Jefferson was then appointed to congress in1783 leaving in 1784 when he was elected Minister Plenipotentiary (Ambassador). The following year, 1785, he became Minister to France until 1789. Under George Washington, Jefferson served as Secretary of State from 1790 to 1793 when he retired to Monticello only to return as Vice President from 1797 to 1801. Thomas Jefferson became the third President in 1801 serving two terms to 1809. So Jefferson, in some 26 years as a public servant, spent only 5 years as a member of congress or as a delegate, 4 years as a diplomat, 4 years as a Vice President, 3 years as Secretary of State, 2 years as Governor of Virginia, and of course the 8 years as President.

Only by comparing these two great Americans to Robert Byrd can we see what an accomplishment he has achieved. I mean look at Mr. Byrd’s 57-year career in Congress compared to the 48 combined years of Washington and Jefferson. And if you only look at Congressional time, well, Washington only has 9 years and Jefferson only 5 (not including his V.P. time). Perhaps what they said will be a better comparison.

On Government

G.W. - “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”

T.J. - “Power is not alluring to pure minds.” “Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on office, a rottenness begins in his conduct.”

R.B. - I didn’t really find anything quotable but, he does have the nice title of “The King of Pork”. Another interesting side note, he complained extensively about George W. Bush’s spending but, has voted for all of Barack Obama’s spending.

On Slavery and “Negroes”

G.W. – “I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.”

T.J. – In the Northwest Ordinance Jefferson stipulated; “There shall be neither slavery not involuntary servitude” in any new state and signed a bill abolishing the slave trade in 1807.

R.B. – Joined the Ku Klux Klan in 1942 and was elected, unanimously, “Exalted Cyclops” (lol, does that mean he only had one eyehole in his sheet?). He is quoted thusly:
“I shall never fight in the Armed Forces with a negro by my side…Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.” This 9 term Senator personally filibustered the Civil Rights act of 1964 for 14 hours during the Democrats 83 day filibuster of the bill (and they say the Conservatives are the racists?).*

Do you see a difference Folks? Here is the problem, we need term limits on these jerks so none of them can serve more than two terms in any office, Career Politicians Must GO!!! They are in no way better than our founding fathers and should not be treated as such.
From the recent bills pushed through as “Urgent” to the “Health-Care”, and “Cap and Trade” bills, does it appear that these idiots have the interests of the American People in mind? I am at a point where I am ready to vote all of the incumbents out of office. My Rep., who I like, is still spending taxpayer money despite his “Conservative” label. Folks, please pay attention, otherwise another Byrd may roost for over half of a century in the Congress.

*Robert Byrd did apologize about his affiliation with the KKK prior to his election. He has stated he does not believe what he said and wrote while in the “Klan” but, he is a politician.