Here's the *&^%$#! problem

"Working to help Alaska achieve its potential has been and will continue to be my life's work" ... "My motto has been here "to hell with politics, just do what's right for Alaska," and I have tried every day to live up to those words."
- Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska 20Nov2008 (approx 5:50 in video)

any person elected to "represent" a state in the U.S. Senate or a Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives is SUPPOSED TO BE the person deemed, by the majority of voters in that state or district, the most capable of determining what is in the NATION'S best interest FIRST and FOREMOST... (if not ONLY)

they are not SUPPOSED TO BE the person deemed most capable of assisting the state's or district's interests at the expense of other parts or the rest of the nation.

the fundamental failure of the American System of government is reflected by the fact that voters and candidates for elected office, not only do not understand this principle, but now have conflated it or have it exactly backwards.

the same fault is now visible down the ballot also, and until this fundamental misconception changes, the only direction society and it's institutions of governance can head is down.

stephenhsmith 16Dec2008