Don’t believe what politicians say; check it out first

Citizens should challenge the claims politicians use to promote themselves.

For example, my New York state District 29 representative in Congress, the Hon. John R. “Randy” Kuhl (R-Hammondsport), said this in a press release announcing his re-election bid:

Rep. Kuhl stressed his continued commitment and service to the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and Rochester area. “As of the 1st of May, I have held 290 town hall meetings – one in each of the 145 towns of the district each year — since I was sworn into office last January. As a citizen legislator, I have heard ideas from constituents in these meetings and then turned them into legislation and action in Washington.” [emphasis added]

So he says he’s turned ideas into legislation. Let’s test that claim.

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Expose these idiots; throw them out of office

The House of Representatives is on pace to spend only 100 days in session this year — fewer than the 108 days of the ill-famed “Do-Nothing Congress” of 1948, writes Jerry Zremski in today’s Buffalo News. (See story.)

Jerry quotes a western New York congresswoman, Louise Slaughter:

I can’t imagine a more perfect example of how pathetic the House is than the schedule for next week. We’re going to meet on Monday on the Protection of Marriage constitutional amendment. And on Tuesday we’re going to protect the pledge [of allegiance]. And here we are: The Middle East is breaking out in war all over, the deficit is eating us alive, people are in serious need of jobs and the House is immersing itself in this stuff.