Broken Thumb Blog

I can't resist...honestly I can't.

It seems that authorizing war in Iraq, wholesale disregard of the constitution (i.e. overlooking torture, renditions, domestic wiretaps and military tribunals), a slavishness to the will of the Executive Branch, and countless other public travesties will not undo the Congress. Instead, electoral upheaval is about to come from a bevy of emails and instant messages sent between a lecherous Florida Congressman and some young adults who must have found it cool to get the old fart horned up.

I'm not going to excuse any of the parties involved in this whole affair. Nor will I blame them. I couldn't care less where responsibility lies. Perhaps it's with the Congressional leadership. Perhaps it's with the media. Perhaps it's even with the current youth culture, innocently trusting electronic media to be a safe forum for all manner of discussion with all manner of people. None of it concerns me.

Congress has always harbored lecherous, alcoholic hypocrites. While in the capital, few of them make an effort to hide their egregious behavior. Separated from the moderating influence of neighbors and acquaintances, politicians are free to indulge themselves in the spoils of power. Their worldview is skewed by an endless train of supplicants, sycophants and influence-peddlers. Their notion of what's "acceptable" blurs into their notion of what's "re-electable."

I accept that. Besides, who really cares...they're only human, right. If being a Congressman in DC were less fun than being an exterminator in North Texas, who would run for office?

This opinion will--no doubt--lay me open to charges of "citizenycism", but it's true that power and its proximity cause people to behave differently. Watch the way employees flatter the boss, complimenting an ugly tie or laughing at a stupid joke. How long does it take before the boss begins to think himself not only a snappy dresser but a budding comedian too?

I understand how power makes Congresspeople do stupid things, but I don't understand why the electorate is so stupid. Who voted for this guy? And why should the whole mid-term election be about this anyway? Vote the bastards out for the things they've done against the republic, not for their private indiscretions.

Yes, it's the irony that gets me.