Column for Sept. 6, 2007

I wish I could thank Congressman Etheridge for his visit

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about the purpose of government. As I write today's column, I have just returned to my office from the Jernigan Building in Uptown Selma. Congressman Bob Etheridge was holding office hours today for his constituents. When I arrived, there were already dozens of people seated in the former court room seats waiting to speak with their Congressman.

I went because I wanted to speak with my Congressman, as well. However, the purpose of my visit was most likely very different than most of the visitors. I was told that if I wanted to speak to Mr. Etheridge, that I should sign in on a log book on the podium. I went up to the front of the room, grabbed a pen, and proceeded to sign my name and address into the log book. After finding that I had the one pen in the bunch that was running out of ink, I found one that did write and finished my log entry. I noticed that there were two or three full sheets of names ahead of me, all waiting to see Mr. Etheridge.

After I stood in the back of the room, having elected not to sit in the hard folding seats, I remained standing. I had been seated most of the day already. I watched people as they came into the room. I saw many sweet looking, blue haired old ladies. I saw a young, beautiful Latina holding the hand of her toddler. I saw middle aged men and senior citizen aged men. I saw men that I know come in to the room and sign in to the log book. I saw our Police Chief enter and check on the gathering. I saw a local politician waiting for a photo opportunity and seizing it when a photographer arrived. Of course only loyal Democrats such as Will Crocker were at this event and he was able to squeeze his mug into a shot with the Congressman. Never mind the idea that a United States Representative does just that. He represents all constituents, not just those of one particular party. This works just the same when the Republicans have their public relations machine in place. I observed all of this with interest. I pondered whether this was worth my time, when a stamp is only 41 cents. Two hours of my time was worth more than 41 cents to me.

What was heartening was that there were so many people there to see their elected representative. What was troubling was that there were so many people there to see their elected representative. What was troublesome about it was that so many of these people were present to see what the government could do for them rather than to meet the man elected to be their mouthpiece and give their opinions. There were people who were veterans who had trouble with the Veterans Administration, people with Medicare issues, people with Social Security problems, and the like. Many people were filling out forms authorizing the Congressman's office to investigate their problems. A Congressman is a representative, not a troubleshooter. Were there not so many entitlement programs and socialist agendas in government, we would not need a full staff for each of the 435 members of Congress to deal with the very bureaucracy that they created.

Why was I there? I had a simple question or twelve that should have only taken five minutes or less. I had a pocket copy of the United States Constitution with me and a list of the bills that supporters of Congressman Etheridge have touted as some of his wonderful stances. Those include repealing the restrictions on federal spending on embryonic stem cell research, a bill allowing the government to negotiate directly with drug companies to lower prices for Medicare, and Mr. Etheridge's own "The America's Better Classrooms Act of 2007", which provides $25 billion in bonds for school construction and modernization.

My biggest questions were: 1. Have you ever read the entire Constitution? 2. If so, please show me in the Constitution where any of these projects and bills are authorized by the Constitution. I was ready to supply a copy for his personal use. 3. If such authority for Congress is not allowed under the U.S. Constitution, then why, Mister Congressman, are you supporting completely unconstitutional measures?

I have a history with Mr. Etheridge, having interviewed him on the radio on several occasions and always asking tough questions. One time, his campaign manager even told him not to answer one of my questions while we were live, on the radio. Rest assured that I would ask the same if Mr. Etheridge was a Republican, only I would cut him even less slack. I thought the better of waiting a couple of hours for this and figured that the value of a stamp is far less than that of my time. I left baffled and yearning for a return to Constitutional principles.