Florida’s Republican Congressman, Mark Foley’s scandal is a clear example of deeply entrenched systemic congressional failure.   Mark Foley was able to practice his perversion because the congressional system is designed to protect those with power.  Congressmen with the institutional power are those with the seniority.  Mark Foley had fourteen years of seniority and was co-chairmen of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children Caucus.

Illinois’ Congressmen Dennis Hastert and John Shimkus failed America and protected Mark Foley when they knew, fairly obviously knew that Foley was taking advantage of a young boy.  They failed to take decisive action and should be held accountable.

That’s one level, the lowest level, but on another level, every congressmen who ever supported term limits for Congressmen and then failed to follow through when elected also failed us.  Two congressmen who’ve suggested that they support term limits are Ray LaHood and John Shimkus.  They were right and this kind of scandal really highlights why there should be term limits, to take the power of seniority away.  Unfortunately once elected both LaHood and Shimkus turned their backs on us and on the need for term limits.

Folks their time is up. It’s time to sweep Congress clean. In Illinois, on November 7th we can start with LaHood, Shimkus, and Hastert.