The Ted Stevens Is Indicted Happy Dance!!

[Chefguy]

@elucidator

Well, its his week. But we have backup ready from the usual gang, so not to worry.

But seriously folks…your question brings to mind the dilemma: who does a Senator serve first, his constituents or his country? Sen Stevens (R-Tammany) seems to have done rather well for Alaskans, and I’m not about to say they don’t deserve it. But he was rather extraordinarily fond of those of his constituents who owned lots of stuff. And a strong inclination to share.

Because bringing home the bacon has become so important to the election of our Congressgoons, we have come to accept that as a primary duty of office, when, properly considered, its no such thing. They are supposed to do their job for the country, if the money would be better spent elsewhere, it should be.

As an Alaskan, you may be well pleased with Sen Stevens. As an American, not so much.

There seems to be some misunderstanding of what I’m saying: I’m not defending Stevens. My point is that he is someone who is viewed by many as a breadwinner for the state and as a supporter of the Native community. Someone like Vickers, who is basically a carpetbagger, doesn’t understand that, and will have a difficult time winning over voters. I am a staunch opponent of pork and am personally disgusted with this whole Veco mess, including Sen. Stevens involvement in it. I also look forward to the day when Don Young (Asshole - AK) is indicted under the same charges or worse (he’s presently under investigation).

[Sitnam]

@Chefguy

There seems to be some misunderstanding of what I’m saying: I’m not defending Stevens. My point is that he is someone who is viewed by many as a breadwinner for the state and as a supporter of the Native community.

Breadwinner = pork barrel, there’s no misunderstanding.

[UltraVires]

@elucidator

But seriously folks…your question brings to mind the dilemma: who does a Senator serve first, his constituents or his country? Sen Stevens (R-Tammany) seems to have done rather well for Alaskans, and I’m not about to say they don’t deserve it. But he was rather extraordinarily fond of those of his constituents who owned lots of stuff. And a strong inclination to share.

Because bringing home the bacon has become so important to the election of our Congressgoons, we have come to accept that as a primary duty of office, when, properly considered, its no such thing. They are supposed to do their job for the country, if the money would be better spent elsewhere, it should be.

As an Alaskan, you may be well pleased with Sen Stevens. As an American, not so much.

But there is the problem. Who does Stevens depend on for his re-election? The American people or Alaskans?

Stevens isn’t the only one. Currently or recently, we have had Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, Robert C. Byrd, Teddy Kennedy, Fritz Hollings, and others who are absolutely loved in their home states, so they keep getting re-elected. If they had to face the national voters, they wouldn’t even make the ballot. Most of these guys are jokes nationally, but revered locally.

I think this is a good reason for term limits…

[Chefguy]

@Sitnam

Breadwinner = pork barrel, there’s no misunderstanding.

Are you being deliberately stupid, or does it come naturally?

[eulalia]

@Chefguy

The Anchorage “Bridge to Nowhere” was at least marginally justifiable. There are a variety of reasons for accessibility to the other side of Cook Inlet at some point, not that I agree with spending the money.

At the rate things seem to be silting up in there you’d probably be able to drive straight over in maybe 50 years.

[BrainGlutton]

@mswas

No the party is fractured. Pay attention.

Eh? No, the Republican Party is beginning to fracture; but it still, at this point, has more effective party discipline and unity than the Dems.

[Fear_Itself]

@BrainGlutton

Eh? No, the Republican Party is beginning to fracture; but it still, at this point, has more effective party discipline and unity than the Dems.

The ranks of Napolean’s soldiers marched in perfect unison into Russia.

[Radegast]

When I was in grad school, one of my professors told me that I might be able to tolerate a lunch with some members of the House of Representatives, a dinner with most Senators. He told me that I probably wouldn’t want to have either in my house. I’ve had a lot of contact with our esteemed members of Congress since then, from both parties, and they are almost all incredible sleazeballs. There have only been a few exceptions. It is really very disheartening.