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If your senator was one of the folks who did not get re-elected this year, you might want to check on whether or not you are being still represented in DC:
“The website for Republican Sen. Wayne Allard of Colorado tells constituents he’s no longer taking their comments. Republican Sens. Larry Craig of Idaho and John Warner of Virginia feature similar messages on their Web pages.
Sen. Pete Domenici has gone even further. The Internet link to send an e-mail to the New Mexico Republican no longer exists. And a telephone call isn’t much of an option. … On the other hand, "Departing Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska has not closed any offices. Also, he is still taking e-mail and will handle constituent work through late December."
There are several ways to look at this, but it’s my opinion that if these guys are being paid through Jan. 20, 2009, they had darn well better have their butts in the office chairs until that time and they should have their offices there to serve constituents as well. If any of us were in the same positions at home with our jobs, our employers would not be particularly enthused if we decided to give ourselves what amounts to a two month paid vacation. And, at the same time, it would be courteous for them to put plans into place so that there is a reasonably smooth transition in January for the new folks coming in. At the very least, they need to show them what the hot files are, where to cafeteria and bathrooms are, and whether or not the coffee maker actually works.
9 Comments
Good diary Toby – although I think these clowns actually are officially out of office the first week of January. There’s I believe about a three week period from the time the new Congress convenes and the Inauguration of the President.
On reading the article, it’s interesting to note that of the Republican senators cited, the only one not packing it in early is also the only one who isn’t a total jerk — namely, Chuck Hagel?
The Rs haven’t represented their people for many years – why would they start now? And they are not going to help with a smooth transition at all. Probably put up as many roadblocks as possible. Rs are like that, doncha know .
Sen. Pete Domenici! Is he still helping the DOJ with their “personnel problems?”
@4 Or deciding on who the US attorney should indict?
One of the things that infuriated me no end and pushed me to work for Eric Massa, even though I’m not in the district is that his R opponent, the odious Randy Kuhl pulled one of these: He told his field offices that they did not have to answer phones or unlock the doors of the offices if they did not want to talk to people who they disagreed with, such as people who wanted to register their displeasure about the war, FISA and so on. I believe these folks work for US – we pay them to do their jobs – not to pick and choose who they will listen to or deal with depending on politics. This is not a grocery store.
Actually, I’m surprised Craig took comments as long as he did.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Would be interesting to learn where these people are and what they are doing right now. After the fact, no doubt they would claim to have been too busy working on transition for the benefit of their successors and constituents.
Great job for an investigative reporter.
My senator got elected – but he’s gonna be President instead now. Something tells me he’s not going to be working on things like getting my 5-years-ago tax return copy out of the IRS anymore. I sure do hope that Governor Blagojevic doesn’t screw up and appoint an idiot.