Electing Senators and Representatives with Character and Integrity Principles
Dennis AuBuchon
October 22, 2008
This election year is about honesty in our elected officials. Many tell us what we want to hear and then do something else after they are elected. Senators and representatives are being elected at the state and federal levels and we must as voters consider the character and integrity aspects of those running for office. While this article is primarily addressing the impact of our Senators and Representatives in Washington, the issues apply to state governments as well.
This election year in the U.S. Congress 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election and all of the House of Representatives. The current public opinion of the job Congress has been doing is at one of the lowest points in history. It is a fact that the public is unhappy with the job our senators and representatives have been doing. We need to make changes.
While there are good individuals in the Senate and the House of Representatives the actions or inactions to address critical issues which are important to the American people leaves a lot to be desired. It is not my intention to paint the picture that Congress has accomplished nothing, as this would not be accurate. There has been constant friction between the Democrats and Republicans on the approach to many issues needing action by Congress. It appears but may be the wrong perception that action only seems to occur quickly when there is a pressing need such as with the current financial crisis. Much work was done to come to an agreement between the parties and present a bill to President Bush for signature. The content of this rescue legislation was not something that was well received by the public.
Those we entrust with our needs and the needs of the country must be willing to look at the big picture, as many would say. Legislation needs to be evaluated based on the merits and the potential success to address the needs of specific topics. Currently the practice appears to be that legislation is criticized simply for the reason that it was generated from another party. While there have been some bi-partisan legislation enacted many times our senators and representatives look at the negatives of legislation rather than suggesting ways to improve it. Legislation is not wrong simply for the reason that another party generated it.
Congress has an important responsibility to the American public and voters have important responsibilities when they elect their representatives and senators. We have seen many things in past years with corporate and congressional scandals. In the matter of corporate scandals, examples such as ENRON had wide impact. Congressional scandals damaged the fabric of the legislative process and the reputation of those who are elected to represent our needs and the needs of the country. Actions of individuals always affect others. The responsibilities with which our elected officials are entrusted have great impact.
Many pieces of legislation are passed each year, which affect our national security, national defense, energy, and safety among others. The decisions made by our elected officials are impacted by the amount of character and integrity principles they have. Many have taken their responsibilities seriously in the decisions they make but others have not. They vote strictly on party lines rather than the quality of the legislation being considered. This is wrong and needs to change. I must state that we may not always agree with decisions that are made on specific issues but we should consider the basis for the decision that is made. Our elected officials must make their own decisions and not be influenced by party policy or positions. I recently have seen some of this occur but it needs to occur more often.
In summary senators and representatives must make decisions based on the content of legislation not party lines or policy. Any legislation being presented for a vote deserves to be an honest review. Legislation should be considered based on the merits and objectives being achieved within it. The public is best served by our elected officials when this occurs. Also each senator and representative deserve respect and my perception is that this does not occur as often as it should especially for first term individuals. They are sometimes restricted from participating on specific committees until they have more than one term behind them. Their appointments should have nothing to do with their tenure.
Another point to make is that there are ethics rules within each house of Congress and when individuals violate these rules and/or the law they should be given the appropriate punishment. When violations of ethics occur parties should not try to use the incident to make them out to be better than the other party is as violations occur respective of party. The main point to make is that when violations occur that they were properly addressed. Enforcing the rules brings a better perception to the public rather than taking advantage of the other party when one of their party violates the rules.
The last point to make is that when a party is in power in either the Senate or House of Representatives that they must continue to work with the other party. Not allowing votes or processing of legislation by the other party simply because they can do not create a working relationship. This kind of attitude is harmful to getting the people´s business done. There is a right way to lead and a wrong way to lead. Leading by forcing specific actions is not leading. Leading is presenting a professional approach and getting others to follow. Leaders in Congress must promote a team atmosphere by having both parties participate in the process of enacting legislation. They should not restrict the rights of another party to have their legislation processed and put to a vote. Both parties have the responsibility of generating legislation which they feel will meet the needs of their constituents and the country. The primary purpose of legislation at the federal level is to address issues for which the federal government has responsibility. It should not matter which party generates the legislation.
This election year in the U.S. Congress 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election and all of the House of Representatives. The current public opinion of the job Congress has been doing is at one of the lowest points in history. It is a fact that the public is unhappy with the job our senators and representatives have been doing. We need to make changes.
While there are good individuals in the Senate and the House of Representatives the actions or inactions to address critical issues which are important to the American people leaves a lot to be desired. It is not my intention to paint the picture that Congress has accomplished nothing, as this would not be accurate. There has been constant friction between the Democrats and Republicans on the approach to many issues needing action by Congress. It appears but may be the wrong perception that action only seems to occur quickly when there is a pressing need such as with the current financial crisis. Much work was done to come to an agreement between the parties and present a bill to President Bush for signature. The content of this rescue legislation was not something that was well received by the public.
Those we entrust with our needs and the needs of the country must be willing to look at the big picture, as many would say. Legislation needs to be evaluated based on the merits and the potential success to address the needs of specific topics. Currently the practice appears to be that legislation is criticized simply for the reason that it was generated from another party. While there have been some bi-partisan legislation enacted many times our senators and representatives look at the negatives of legislation rather than suggesting ways to improve it. Legislation is not wrong simply for the reason that another party generated it.
Congress has an important responsibility to the American public and voters have important responsibilities when they elect their representatives and senators. We have seen many things in past years with corporate and congressional scandals. In the matter of corporate scandals, examples such as ENRON had wide impact. Congressional scandals damaged the fabric of the legislative process and the reputation of those who are elected to represent our needs and the needs of the country. Actions of individuals always affect others. The responsibilities with which our elected officials are entrusted have great impact.
Many pieces of legislation are passed each year, which affect our national security, national defense, energy, and safety among others. The decisions made by our elected officials are impacted by the amount of character and integrity principles they have. Many have taken their responsibilities seriously in the decisions they make but others have not. They vote strictly on party lines rather than the quality of the legislation being considered. This is wrong and needs to change. I must state that we may not always agree with decisions that are made on specific issues but we should consider the basis for the decision that is made. Our elected officials must make their own decisions and not be influenced by party policy or positions. I recently have seen some of this occur but it needs to occur more often.
In summary senators and representatives must make decisions based on the content of legislation not party lines or policy. Any legislation being presented for a vote deserves to be an honest review. Legislation should be considered based on the merits and objectives being achieved within it. The public is best served by our elected officials when this occurs. Also each senator and representative deserve respect and my perception is that this does not occur as often as it should especially for first term individuals. They are sometimes restricted from participating on specific committees until they have more than one term behind them. Their appointments should have nothing to do with their tenure.
Another point to make is that there are ethics rules within each house of Congress and when individuals violate these rules and/or the law they should be given the appropriate punishment. When violations of ethics occur parties should not try to use the incident to make them out to be better than the other party is as violations occur respective of party. The main point to make is that when violations occur that they were properly addressed. Enforcing the rules brings a better perception to the public rather than taking advantage of the other party when one of their party violates the rules.
The last point to make is that when a party is in power in either the Senate or House of Representatives that they must continue to work with the other party. Not allowing votes or processing of legislation by the other party simply because they can do not create a working relationship. This kind of attitude is harmful to getting the people´s business done. There is a right way to lead and a wrong way to lead. Leading by forcing specific actions is not leading. Leading is presenting a professional approach and getting others to follow. Leaders in Congress must promote a team atmosphere by having both parties participate in the process of enacting legislation. They should not restrict the rights of another party to have their legislation processed and put to a vote. Both parties have the responsibility of generating legislation which they feel will meet the needs of their constituents and the country. The primary purpose of legislation at the federal level is to address issues for which the federal government has responsibility. It should not matter which party generates the legislation.