The op-ed piece by Sen. Olympia Snowe, taken from the Washington Post (Sun Journal, March 2), is proof that elected officials in Washington are so far removed from the daily lives of the people they supposedly represent, that they truly believe they are actually representing us.
Sen. Snowe states that public service is an honorable pursuit. What a farce.
What is honorable about anyone in Washington today? Nothing.
Our forefathers certainly did not envision public service lasting 40 years, along with all of the perks that they have so readily availed themselves. Snowe and all of the elected officials in Washington should hang their heads in shame.
They pass laws that they exempt themselves from. They enrich themselves with lavish pension plans at taxpayer expense.
Our forefathers certainly practiced with honor and devotion in their service to America. What we have today in Washington is representation of the power elite. The average American does not have anyone representing them.
If you are not a major campaign benefactor you can forget any chance of speaking with them. We are not heard; we are tolerated by them.
After Sen. Snowe announced her retirement, look at all of the candidates coming out. Does anyone think it is about assisting the general public? It is about the perks, the power and the prestige.
To quote Henry Louis Mencken, “If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner.”
Paul Parquette, Lewiston
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