Did they become senators & congressmen to serve us, or rob us?

[Philosoraptor]

Poll question: Did they become senators & congressmen to serve us, or rob us?

This current crop of senators and congressmen and women, did they seek these lofty positions of power just to steal from us and live in baronial splendor at our expense, for the rest of their lives?

Yesterday President Barack Obama reminded us that he is our servant, he works for us, and if we don't like his job performance, we wouldn't re-elect him, or in other words, fire him.

Do most of these 'servants' of we the people have OUR best interests in mind or are we merely cattle to suck blood out of?

[NightWatcher]

1. all for money and power, fuck statesmanship

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. "They come to Washington with the goal to "do good", but in short order it changes to "do well"

I wish I could credit the person who said that, but it seems to be the best summation I have ever read. It's pernicious corruption that is basically related to lobbying, campaign donations, junkets, jobs for relatives, etc.etc.

If some serious laws were put in place that basically forbade all of the above, I think you would see ONLY true hearted public servants staying for any length of time as a sort of self regulating "term limits" would kick in if the gravy train weren't running.

Why do so many come to Washington with fairly normal assets and become hugely wealthy during their stay?

Conflicts of interests should be MUCH more investigated and ALL Senators and Congresscritters should be required to put all their personal funds in TBills and index funds for the duration of their term. Not to much they can do to either to self serve.

[bigwillq]

3. They start wanting to serve us.

And then quickly move to robbing us.

Term limits are needed, imo. There should be no career politicians.

[Brazenly Liberal]

4. My senator is not a robber baron!

He is Dick Durbin, one of the most reliably liberal guys in the Senate, who does have OUR best interests in mind. My other Senator left us for a better job, hehe! (We don't count Burris. He's a real Senator the way seat fillers are real celebs at the Oscars.)

[cali]

5. I think the OP was talking about the current crop

Personally, I think it's a simplistic, stupid question.

[CrispyQ]

6. Politics, law enforcement & management --

are occupations that frequently attract the very types of people who shouldn't be in these positions - people who desire some kind of power & authority over others. While that doesn't apply to everyone in these occupations, there does seem to be a preponderance of assholes in positions of authority.

-edited for clarity

[KG]

7. let me know when any of them serve for free, let alone turn down a raise.

[cali]

8. that's silly. And the Senate did just turn down a raise.

[Obamanaut]

13. I think it is true that they turned down the raise for 2010, but DID NOT

refuse (or vote not to accept) the more than $4,000 raise effective this past January. In this current economic turmoil, that would have been the right thing to do prior to breaking for the holiday season - the turmoil was ongoing when they were in session and could have stopped the raise. Looks like it was sorta "We should get it while we can" type thing.

Also, Mr Reid stuck in a pay raise for federal judges as part of the auto bail out bill.

[cali]

9. that's silly. And the Senate did just turn down a raise.

[jmg257]

10. Founding fathers knew that power corrupts, and tried to prevent so much govt involvement

and control.

Oh well, it was nice idea, while it lasted.

[Marrah_G]

11. Power corrupts.

[Clear Blue Sky]

12. They are an incompetent bunch.

They are fussing about problems that are generally of their own making, like the current AIG mess.

[Obamanaut]

14. They are weasels, and most were reelected as weasels in Nov

of last year, despite being weasels then. They will mostly be reelected next election cycle despite their weaselly actions, despite disapproval ratings, despite everything.