Posted on 05/14/2014 12:42:46 PM PDT by thetallguy24
As America withers from the effects of falling incomes, a shrinking labor force, abysmal economic growth, and decaying social capital, our imperial capital city remains vibrant. Washington, D.C. is as prosperous and prominent as it has ever been. Parenting magazine has named DC as the best place in America to raise a family. The counties of Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland which surround the capital are seven of the ten wealthiest in America. While Houston does petroleum, New York finance, and San Francisco technology, the business of Washington is influence peddling, palm greasing, and sausage making.
Perhaps this explains what makes our federal city such an attractive place of residence for ex-legislators. Its an unfortunate reality that most national politicians do not return to the communities they represent at the end of their legislative careers. Many come to DC for the public service, but stay for the lucrative job opportunities.
The chart below shows the extent of this phenomenon. It lists some Senators who have retired, willingly or otherwise, since 2006, and what theyre up to now.
Senator | Current Employment | Location |
Joe Lieberman | Senior Counsel, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres, and Friedman- New York | New York |
Trent Lott | Senior Counsel, Patton-Boggs | Washington, DC |
Jim DeMint | The Heritage Foundation | Washington, DC |
Jim Talent | Distinguished Fellow, The Heritage Foundation | Washington, DC |
Conrad Burns | Senior Advisor, GAGE International | Washington, DC |
Ben Nelson | Chief Executive, National Association of Insurance Commissioners | Washington, DC |
John Ensign | Veterinarian | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Jeff Bingaman | Distinguished Fellow, Stanford Law School | Stanford, California |
Mike DeWine | Ohio Attorney General | Columbus, Ohio |
Bill Frist | Professor of Business and Medicine | Nashville, Tennessee |
Kay Bailey Hutchison | Senior Counsel, Bracewell and Giuliani | Dallas, Texas |
Herb Kohl | Owner, Milwaukee Bucks | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Wayne Allard | Senior Counsel, The Livingston Group | Washington, DC |
Larry Craig | Lobbyist, New West Strategies | Washington, DC |
Max Baucus | U.S. Ambassador to China | Beijing, China |
John Sununu | Senior Policy Advisor, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld | Washington, DC |
Gordon Smith | President, National Association of Broadcasters | Washington, DC |
Christopher Dodd | President, Motion Picture Association of America | Washington, DC |
Evan Bayh | Strategic Advisor, McGuirreWoods | Washington, DC |
Kit Bond | Parnter, Thompson Coburn | Washington, DC |
Judd Gregg | CEO, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association | Washington, DC |
Byron Dorgan | Senior Policy Advisor, Arent Fox | Washington, DC |
George Voinovich | Retired | Cleveland, Ohio |
Russ Feingold | President, Progressives United | Middleton, Wisconsin |
Scott Brown | New Hampshire U.S. Senate Candidate | New Hampshire |
Chuck Hagel | Secretary of Defense | Washington, DC |
Jon Kyl | Counsel, Covington and Burley | Washington, DC |
Tom Daschle | Senior Policy Advisor, DLA Piper | Washington, DC |
This represents a departure from the American ideal of the citizen legislator. If politicians are permanently residing in Washington, how attuned are they to the states and districts they are supposed to advocate for? The legislators and bureaucrats who live in DC comprise a permanent political class with its own interests and desires. As government continues to expand, so does the reach of this elite.
Political power in the United States is supposed to rest with the American people, not D.C. How can we square that with the rise of the permanent legislative residence at court in Washington?
Are they seriously all lobbyists now?
The Founders are rolling in their graves.
As long as power is concentrated in DC, the money will follow.
The answer is to diffuse power once again, with repeal of the 17th Amendment.
Article V.
John Ensign Veterinarian Las Vegas, Nevada
what is most telling to me is that that is a short list... that list needs to be much longer... i would say that the US Legislature is a Hotel California for Congressmen and Senators...
It’s a short list, because there’s so little turnover. 90% or more of the Senators are reelected every election cycle.
It’s funny to me that a parenting magazine rated Washington DC as the best place to raise a family. They certainly don’t mean the city itself, with its disfunctional public schools, ghettoes, and expensive neighborhoods located outside of the ghetto.
And that area has some of the most expensive housing of any metropolitan area in the country, which will strain any middle class budget, even if mom works full time along with dad. Hard to see that area as some mecca for family life.
that's what i mean... Capitol Hill is the actual Hotel California for the U.S. Legislature...
George Voinovich Retired Cleveland, Ohio
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway, I heard the mission bell
Then I was thinking to myself this could be Heaven or this could be Hell
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor I thought I heard them say
“Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
(Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year
(Any time of year)
You can find it here”
Her mind is Tiffany twisted, she got the Mercedes Bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the captain, “Please bring me my wine”
He said, “We haven’t had that spirit here since 1969”
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night just to hear them say
“Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
(Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They’re living it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise
(What a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis”
Mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice
And she said, “We are all just prisoners here of our own device”
And in the master’s chambers they gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives but they just can’t kill the beast
Last thing I remember I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
“Relax,” said the night man, “We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like but you can never leave”
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/eagles/hotel-california-lyrics/#UMceP81rmmIEf5f0.99
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