Public Servant, an oxymoron
Editor,
Is there any more profound an oxymoron than “Public Servant”? It is the most loved self-title frequently adopted by lifetime American politicians. They relish in the humble overtures brought to mind by these words. Some will even go so far as to practice facial expressions, and body language that conveys deep personal turmoil to create the persona of being a “Public Servant”.
However, their actions away from the bright lights of their adoring press show their real nature is nothing more than that of a flimflam artist. Their humility and servant’s heart only lasts as long as the cameras are rolling. They are America’s wolves in sheep’s clothing. Case in point … the recently released accounting records for a restroom remodel at the U. S. Capitol. In 2007, a one hundred square foot restroom was in need of repair (that is 10 ft. by 10 ft.). So the beloved “Public Servants” who call themselves Senators and Congressmen, appropriated the money, hired the contractors and set about to fix the toilets. Guess how much they paid to remodel a one hundred square foot bathroom; $222,000! I wish I were joking.
Congressman Rahall and Senator Rockefeller spent $2,200 per square foot to remodel a restroom in the Capitol. To put this in perspective, the average value of a home in West Virginia is just over $100 per square foot. So tell me again how these men are “Public Servants”? More like public enemies if you ask me.
If an employee of a major corporation in America were to overspend to this degree, they would be summarily fired and likely prosecuted. But, here in West Virginia, we give them parades, put their names on plaques and write glowing letters to the editor of how wonderfully they have served West Virginians. Give me a break. These men are enemies of the public trust. They are elites who see themselves as royalty deserving of our worship. The best way to stop this evil from being visited upon our children is to reelect no one.
West Virginians must stop handing out these lifetime political appointments. If someone wants to leave his or her job for a few years to help out in government, OK. But electing career politicians must come to an end. It even has to end for your best friend. Our form of government doesn’t function well with Lords, Knights and Nobles. In fact the USA was established to prevent precisely those kinds of elitists from controlling the resources of the land. Yet, slowly, ever so gradually that is essentially what we’ve allowed to transpire here at home.
Senators, Congressmen, Governors and even County officials, live and act as though they are our overlords. They behave as though we peasants have not the first capacity to care for ourselves. This practice of a career in politics is the worse form of social cancer possible and we are the only ones who can remove it. Pollsters asking if I’d vote for Nick Joe to replace Senator Rockefeller have pounded my phone lately. I literally laughed them off the phone. I would honestly cast my vote for Mickey Mouse before I’d vote for Nick Rahall. He, and his kind, ARE the problem.
Think of it this way. If you’ve hired someone to mow your lawn and all they do is drink your iced tea … for twenty years (and never get around to mowing your lawn); do you now offer them a better job? That would be stupid. Giving Nick Rahall a bigger position is Washington is even more stupid.
Re-elect no one … at any level. That includes our local political officials as well. Replacing them is the ONLY message these kinds of self-serving elites understand. If you keep reelecting them, they get bolder about spending your money … even to the tune of a two-hundred-thousand dollar toilet. I say its past time that we flush the whole bunch!
Gary Lee Corns
Logan
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Charlie Small
Editor,
My grandfather Charlie Small owned the Columbia Café at 214 Dingess Street in Logan. Does anyone who knew my grandfather, or the café, have a memory to share? My father, Winfred Small, turned 90 this year and I would love to surprise him!
Laurel Watts
10208 W. Concord Ave.
Sun City, Arizona 85351
laurel.watts@netscape.com
I don’t know if it is the place you are talking about, but I do remember going in there once. I can vaguely remember the people. It was really nice and clean; and seemed larger inside than from the outside. It had quite a few people inside. It was still in the days before people weren’t allowed to smoke in restaurants. I think it was cool outside, so it was probably in the early fall of the year.