The Last Seven

John Boehner is the House Minority Leader in the 111th Congress. He is a Congressman representing the 8th District of Ohio and has enjoyed a successful career spanning close to twenty years. Congressman Boehner joined the U. S. House of Representatives when the 102nd Congress convened in 1990. Soon after, he joined with a group of fellow Congressmen who became known as “The Gang of Seven.” The following is taken directly from the Wikipedia page about this group;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Seven
Gang of Seven

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, searchThe Gang of Seven refers to a group of Republican U.S. Representatives, elected in 1990. The group loudly condemned the House banking scandal and the Congressional Post Office Scandal. They also criticised Congressional perks such as subsidies for the Capitol Barbershop and Senate Restaurant.

The seven Representatives were:
John Boehner (OH-08)
John Doolittle (CA-04)
Scott Klug (WI-02)
Jim Nussle (IA-01)
Frank Riggs (CA-01)
Charles H. Taylor (NC-11)
Rick Santorum (PA-18)
Six of the seven will not serve in the 111th Congress. Two were defeated for re-election, and four have resigned.

Santorum was once considered a rising star in the Republican Party. He was the first of the Gang of Seven to run for higher office, and the only one who was successful, becoming the Junior US Senator from Pennsylvania in the Republican landslide of 1994. Santorum served two terms in the Senate and rose to the level of Senate Republican Conference Chairman before being defeated by State Treasurer Bob Casey in 2006.

Charles Taylor, who remained in the House and was then an 11-term incumbent, was also defeated in 2006 amid allegations of corruption, losing to former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler.

Four others retired, two of them to run for higher office. Riggs resigned his seat in 1998 to run for US Senate, but lost to incumbent Barbara Boxer. Nussle resigned in 2006 to run for the open Iowa governor's seat, but also lost, to current incumbent Chet Culver. Klug chose to return to private life in 1998. Doolittle, accused of involvement in the Jack Abramoff scandal, is retiring at the end of his current term in 2008.

Only Boehner still remains in office, where he has been extremely successful in advancing his career. In February 2006, he became House Majority Leader. After the November 2006 election, when the Republicans lost control of the House, he became the House Minority Leader. He won re-election in 2008.

During his career, many detractors have formed against Congressman Boehner. He has gained a reputation for being against the average citizen and favoring Insurance Companies and Corporate America. The Congressman admits to being associated with the “K – Street” lobbyists. He contends that these associations are legal, ethical and does not buy favors for his support.

According to the website Middleclass.org;
http://www.themiddleclass.org/legislator/john-boehner-31?gclid=CKWF46HFh5sCFQZeswodm2YTpQ
Congressman Boehner has a failing grade when it comes to championing laws and bills that are designed to help the Middle Class of America. From the years 2003 through 2008, this organization places an “F” next to his name on issues of Credit Card Holder’s Bill of Rights, Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 and The Emergency Extended Unemployment Insurance Compensation Act of 2008, to mention a few.

For me, I do not believe there is anything ethical when it comes to the “K – Street” Lobbying Firms and Corporate America. It is one thing to try to get laws to give businesses a break and a competitive edge in today’s markets. But, Corporate America sets out to give the shaft to Labor and the average American as much as it can. Congressman Boehner is always in the thick of things to make that happen. But, it is not just him. The Republican Party has become the tool Corporations use making the average citizen second class at best. That is why I find it hard to believe Congressman Boehner or anyone else in the Republican Party, when they say, they are watching out for the American People. Like John Edwards would probably ask, which America are we talking about? It must be the wealthy one because, I am not, and the Republicans have hurt my chances in getting ahead way more than helping.

However, Congressman Boehner does have my respect, if not my complete support. I believe him and his Political Party need to care more about the Middle Class and show that the average American is as important to them, as Corporate America is. Until then, my only advice to the Congressman is, not to take the jokes about his color to heart. They are just jealous. When you got it, flaunt it Congressman.

That’s How I Feel.

Websites of reference;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying
http://www.themiddleclass.org/legislator/john-boehner-31?gclid=CKWF46HFh5sCFQZeswodm2YTpQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boehner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Seven