Can't Afford K Street
To the Editor:

The continued arrogance of some elected officials from Washington never stops amazing me. Consider a recent quote by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "Congress has an obligation to take care of their constituents instead of leaving funding decisions to some bureaucrat with his green eyeshades and funny little hat." ("Republicans Remain Unsettled on Earmarks" by Lauren W. Whittlington in Roll Call- January 29) was insulting to millions of federal employees who work their heart out for taxpayers. Federal career civil servants don't have all the perks members of Congress can enjoy. Federal government employees can't go out every night like members of Congress to be wined and dined by the famous K Street lobbyists. Civil servants don't have golden parachutes like members of Congress, who when retired can become lobbyists for former clients.

Is anyone aware of any former member of Congress not earning a comfortable six figure plus income. Many just move across the Hill to join the famous K Street Washington lobbyists. There is a far higher percentage of members of Congress under investigation or indictment than federal civil servants. Senator Reid's quote is reminiscent of the late 1960's racist Democratic Governor and Presidential candidate from Alabama George Wallace who had similar complaints about "pointy headed bureaucrats from Washington."

Senator Reid's power and ego apparently knows no limits. No wonder the favorable ratings of Congress by voters is in the 20's. This is even less than the president they consistently ridicule. Perhaps birds of a feather like former KKK member and West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, Senator Reid and the late Alabama Governor George Wallace do flock together. Senator Reid owes America's civil servants an apology, along with his Congressional colleagues including our own Senators Schumer and Clinton who have been silent about this outrage.
Sincerely,
Larry Penner
Great Neck, New York