Jack Kingston

After just speaking highly of at least the web team over at the WaPo, we have no problem taking a swipe at their editorial today which, (surprise!), intentionally misleads folks about the role of Congress and takes a swipe at Jack personally.

You see, this may surprise you, but when Congress isn’t in session, Capitol Hill reporters and the Washington Post editorial board have a tough time finding/making “news.” Getting scooped by any Smalltown Gazette is not going to get folks to buy subscriptions.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that the WaPo editorial board was jumping with glee when Steny Hoyer (D-MD district which borders Washington, DC) announced that “Congress was going to get to work for a change!”

Well, this must mean that Congressman Hoyer doesn’t do any work unless he’s in Washington, DC, right? Of course not.

Perhaps closer to the pin, because geographically his district borders Washington, DC, he’s able to 1. Go home to his house in the district every night, 2. Has a unique constituency who reads national media (which he is always a part of,) and 3. I’m sure a public schedule would show that more often than not, Congressman Hoyer is able to drive back (or be driven back) to his district during session to visit with constituents and attend “local” events.

Heck, Congressman Hoyer is often seen walking his dog everyday on Capitol Hill. An analogy: Capitol Hill is his backyard. Jack has a few dogs too, but they’re back in Savannah…where his constituents are.

We all agree that the job of a Congressman is a 5-7 day work week…60-70-80 hour work weeks for both Republicans and Democrats. And on a personal note, in many ways, Jack never stops working (the blackberry’s often buzz late in to the night).

In fact let’s consider this an open invitation to any Capitol Hill reporter or editorial board writer to spend a day in the life with Jack Kingston, in his district. Just call us at 202-225-5831.

So…The disagreement is not about the length of a work week, but about where a Member works.

Jack believes in the model that ideas and solutions for the government need to come from Georgia.

Democrats believe that laws, regulations and more big government should be born in Washington by Washington insiders and lobbyists, and then mandated throughout America.

Some believe that the solution to our nation’s education issues comes from the Department of Education. Jack believes he can learn a lot about our nation’s education system by talking with the parents, teachers, and children of a local school district in Georgia.

After all, Members are sent to Washington by their constituents. They certainly should represent their views. Some people just don’t understand that side of the equation.