Jesse Jackson Jr. Represents Himself, Not IL-2

[Isaac Hayes]

On the day the House of Representatives' version health care bill passed, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. sent a brochure to every resident of the Second Congressional District of Illinois at taxpayer expense. The brochure is entitled “Health care for every American remains one of our nation’s greatest moral economic challenges.” At a minimum, this brochure and other public comments made by Congressmen Jackson are a testimony to Congressman Jackson’s unbridled arrogance, his complete lack of understanding of the proper role of government, or the proper role of an elected public servant in representing the people of his district. What is more, it is an intentional misinterpretation of the founding principles of our country. It is disgraceful.

While polls indicate the majority in our country oppose the health care reform proposal -- close to 60 percent -- Congressman Jackson ignores the legitimate concerns of his constituents and proclaims the need for reform is simply “urgent and indisputable” without the slightest opportunity for debate or consideration of alternate views.

It is beyond reason that Congressman Jackson, or anyone, in a few short days possesses the ability to read, understand and contemplate the implications of a 2000 page bill that will radically alter the lives of all Americans. Compare that to the considered judgment and debate that was given to the seven articles that comprise the United States Constitution. The Constitution was not ratified until September 17, 1787, more than eleven years after the courageous adoption of the Declaration of Independence by our Founding Fathers.

Perhaps rather than read the 2,000 pages of incomprehensible gibberish, Congressman Jackson ought read the Declaration of Independence. Its intent was to provide freedom for all Americans to pursue opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. It is not the government’s role to confiscate wealth and income from one citizen only to bestow a benefit to another citizen.

Congressman Jackson is an example of the self serving political aristocracy that has been established in our country. Congress confiscates our money and arrogantly bestows upon itself income, health insurance and retirement benefits far beyond that of ordinary citizens. Beyond that, Congressman Jackson has worked to bestow government favors upon special interest groups. Those groups then support him and provide him with campaign contributions. Congressman Jackson has blatantly paid his wife out of those contributions over a quarter of a million dollars for her role as, “campaign manager." What's more, Jackson even had the audacity to put an e-mail fundraising appeal, before the health care bill was passed, asking for money to support him because of his backing of socialized medicine. He knows the public option will be as successful as public housing, but he persists in his lies, despite decades of experience with a failing welfare state.

Congressman Jackson does not represent the interests of his constituents. He never has. He represents his interests. His portrayal of his efforts on behalf of constituents is a deception. It is time for the citizens of the Second Congressional District to rise up and elect a public servant that understands the role of a public servant is to represent their interests, not the interests of Congressmen and the political aristocracy.