A career: Too many people see Washington jobs as lucrative meal tickets

You might have missed the story this week.

An 11-term congressman -- yes, 11 terms -- from Philadelphia was indicted this past week.

The charges?

Rampant fraud.

Investigators say U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah paid off an illegal $1 million campaign loan with federal grants and charitable donations, funneled campaign funds toward his son's student loans and disguised a lobbyist's bribe as payment for a Porsche.

He denies any wrongdoing.

The amount of the alleged criminal activity is stunning just in itself. This was not a small crime -- and it was a brazen one at that.

But although one crooked congressman does not a crooked Congress make, this case brings some interesting thoughts to mind about who is serving and how long they stay -- or should stay -- in Washington.

There are many who think that one of the biggest problems in government is that some of the men and women who serve there see their positions as lucrative careers and cash cows for influence, power and dollar signs.

And the longer they stay, the more they become part of the club -- less interested in the needs of their constituents and more interested in how they can line their own pockets.

When you have public servants who become immersed in the Washington culture, and when they realize the money to be made while in and later out of government, you have a government that in no way works for the people.

Perhaps 11 terms -- whether it be as a member of Congress or as a member of a local board of commissioners or other office -- is just simply too much.

You become too comfortable, too educated in the ins and outs of the games of public service, and too susceptible to cutting corners.

You are too cozy with lobbyists and too educated on the art of the deal.

You learn that to keep such a lucrative post, all you really have to do is say the right things at the right time.

And when that happens, it becomes more about power than service.

Over the years lots of people have talked about term limits. And there are positives and negatives each way.

But maybe there is something to the idea of new blood, new ideas -- and a redefinition of public service as just that -- service, not the chance to set yourself up for life.

While cases like the congressman's are not an everyday occurrence, stories of uber-wealthy public servants who have grown huge fortunes and developed cushy connections that have paid off handsomely are not.

That's how you get professorships and $100,000 speaking fees.

Anyone serving in Washington has a right to earn a living.

But perhaps it is time that we shook things up a bit -- and made it a little bit harder to create a dynasty -- or a comfort level that encourages just the sort of deals that got this congressman in trouble.

Maybe it is time to set a limit and to shut down some of this "insider mentality."

Who knows, it just might make Washington an entirely different place.

Published in Editorials on August 1, 2015 11:04 PM