Show C Congress is a service to the people not a career Dear Editor Theres There's more to the upcoming election than just who will be president When go to the polls this November they will be electing not only a president of the United States but two senators and three representatives The congressional elections should not be considered secondary to the presidential elections elec elec- whomever whomever we choose to represent us in congress will have more effect on United States' States domestic affairs than will the president himself Virtually all legislation is ini initiated in congress All the legwork research revisions and recommendations recommendations recommendations for specific bills are completed in committees committee within congress That is w why y- y congress congress congress con con- gress is referred to as the legislative branch of government The executive branch the President can voice his opinion on the bills or try to veto them but other than that congress controls our laws They approve the final budget pass laws governing our everyday lives and are the only ones in power that can officially declare war Most politicians in the House and Senate today are re-elected re incumbents many incumbents many for several terms in a row Congress has become a way of life for them They've made it into a highly visible career with good pay perks and privileges that add up to much more than most people realize Congress has become an almost impregnable stronghold against all new comers very very rarely is an incumbent unseated in favor of a new candidate The House check scandal opened a window on this fortress Incumbents no longer have a strangle-hold strangle on the other two branches of government Citizens coming out of their government-apathetic government state are starting to realize realize realize real real- ize that just as congress shapes our country bypassing bypassing by bypassing passing legislation they have the right and the power to shape the congress The League of Women Voters puts out a bumper sticker with the words Take back the system and VOTE We have a chance on November 3rd to send a message to our legis legis- We can tell the incumbents it is not their God-given God right to be re-elected re to office Congress Congress Con Con- gr gress ss is not a career The time to play patsy to special interest groups and large dollar supporters supporters supporters sup sup- porters is over I It t is now our time the ordinary citizens to be served Kathryn M M. Dean r f fJ |