When smart people do stupid things

We elect seemingly smart people to go represent our interests in Washington. Then it seems the power envelops them and all common sense we hope we elected goes out the window.

If I went to one of my Hoffman Estates officials and told them I needed their vote on a project and for that vote I would pay them $1,000 and it was found out, more than likely the official and I both would go to jail. This would be considered a bribe.

But, when wavering Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu from Louisiana gets millions for her vote on the Health Care Bill, she trumpets the fix for her state. Her words from The Washington Post: "I am not going to be defensive and it's not a $100 million fix it is a $300 million fix."

How can this be legal? This is a bribe. I know, I know. In Washington this is probably called "horse trading." Give me a break.

Regarding this health are bill, why can't they do some testing and see what works? Why not do a test to let some insurance companies sell across state lines to test competitiveness? Why not address the $60 billion Medicare fraud and save some of that money? Why not do a test on some needed tort reform to bring down malpractice insurance? Why not have our geniuses in Washington pass a law that says every senator and house member must read every bill they vote on? Why not pass a law that says any bill that has a certain large threshold of proposed tax dollars or a percentage of the economy should have special state referendums so that our elected officials know exactly what we think?

I really could go on for hours but who in Washington would listen.

Peter G. Mirkovich

Hoffman Estates