by Daniel G. O'Leary

Created on: August 31, 2010

Politicians are people, just like you and I. However, they chose to work providing a service for their fellow countrymen, on behalf of their fellow countrymen, representing their fellow countrymen. It was their choice to run for office, knowing in advance once their decision was made public, every part of their life (past, present, and future) would be scrutinized and made public.

Knowing that, they forged on, ran their campaigns, made they speeches, their promises, shook our hands, looked us straight in the eyes and asked us to trust them, to give them a chance to represent us. Some were more convincing then others, they got our vote. With the majority voting for them, they were declared the winner. Empowered by us, trusted by us, supported by us, they took their oaths, signed their papers swearing to do that which was lawful, honorable, just, and with due diligence!

Then, somewhere along their way, some strayed from the path; some abused their power, their authority, misrepresented themselves and took advantage of others or us directly. Wheeling and dealing, their heads grew too big, they honestly thought they would not be caught, and if they were, the law didn't apply to them (they were the law, the rule makers, the enforcers, our champions, our heroes).

Wrong! No one is above the law, no one! If a law is unjust or unfair, their is a legal and proper means to have it amended. Until then, it is the law, period! You break it, you get caught, you suffer the consequences, and get punished to the fullest extent that the law will allow. If you are an elected official, a politician, you definitely should get punished to the fullest extent that the law will allow. Plus, there should be provisions / amendments passed at every level of government that make it illegal for the a politician at each level of government to violate the public trust.

That would allow for a politician that commits a crime, that breaks the law, to be punished more adequately for the damage done to the pillar of our democracy; the public trust in their elected politician to do the job they were elected to do honorably and within the law.

Too often we see and hear of politicians breaking the law, and being allowed to simply resign. Where is the justice in that? If it were you or I, we would be behind bars. You bet your butt, they should be as well! No one is above the law! The law is the will of the people or it would've been amended!

We are a Nation made up of people, "We the People..." (from the Constitution), the laws We have chosen, We have chosen for a reason; for life, for liberty, for freedom to pursue that which makes us happy, with justice for all!

What should the punishment be for crooked politicians; prosecute them, convict them, sentence them, jail them, and throw away the key!

The strength of Our Democracy lies within each of us, and all of us! I believe in you, I believe in me, I believe in "We the People"! What say you?

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