ballot box     I have often thought that serving in Congress should be like being called for jury duty. You’d get the notice and say “oh, sh**, I have to go to Washington.”  One of my favorite YouTube videos is from the Guy from Boston, who profanely but accurately describes what’s wrong with too many of our elected representatives.

     This morning while pursuing some of my right wing ideological conservative whacko nut job news sources, I, for some unknown reason, decided to read about Patrick Kennedy’s decision to not stand for re-election in 2010. Here are some facts you might not know. Kennedy was elected in 1994 at the ripe old age of 27 after serving 6 years in Rhode Island House. Excuse me? Fresh from college with all that real world experience you have accumulated, you decide your 1st job should be a state representative; and the populace elects you? 6 years later, steeled by the grueling life experiences of your early 20′s, you decide to take your considerable talents to Washington … and again, you’re elected. BTW, the district Kennedy serves for Rhode Island abuts the Massachusetts’ district that is represented by Barney Franks, and has many of the same demographics.

     I, for one, am glad to know that at the age of 43, Patrick can now ride off into the sunset with his full congressional pension. And Washington is going after the Wall Street boys for their golden parachutes? With pardons to John Stossel, gimme a break.