I use to scoff at the “Throw Them ALL Out” election philosophy as being simplistic, and I believed at election time a wise voter should pick and choose. Send the good ones back to do more good work, and replace the duds. I have changed my tune.

It is difficult, if not impossible, for Joe Six Pack to know if Congressman X or Senator Y is really looking out for the little guy. Is the congressman spending all his time raising money for reelection and hob knobbing with the Big Mules in DC? Well, we know now that congress has done a horrible job of minding the store. They haven’t even been in the store – they have been on vacation! We know now that our guys in Washington either didn’t have a clue, or they failed to warn the folks back home of the economic tsunami that just slammed us. Our elected officials in Washington had no idea that the biggest financial collapse in generations was underway? Joe Six Pack now knows in no uncertain terms — NOBODY in Washington is looking out for him.

Alabamians have nine elected representatives in Washington, DC, and it amazes me that not one of the nine had a clue that the financial industry was about to collapse. Most have been in Washington for many years, some we frequently see described as “powerful”, and Alabama has representation on “financial services committees”, yet not a one of them had a clue we were headed for disaster? Not one of them knew Wachovia stock was approaching worthless? None of them knew that the home mortgage industry had dished out billions to folks that couldn’t make the payments? After years in Washington, serving on committees, mixing with the rich and powerful, they had no clue that our retirement plans were at risk? That every man, woman, and child in America was about to take a hit? (The exceptions, of course, are those that orchestrated this fiasco, and walked off with millions in their exit package.)

How dare we nail our honorable representatives in Washington for this? Simple. They created the problem. Congress writes the banking laws. Congress writes the laws that control the financial industry. Congress regulates, and congress deregulates. Congress creates mountains of debt, sends cash to voters, and has full control over lenders and borrowers alike. In short, congress is in charge, and they are quick to claim credit when things go right, yet not one has raised his hand and said I’m sorry I voted for all this boondoggle that has hurt my voter’s retirement, will cost them even more in tax money to get out of the hole, and will devalue their buying power. The buck starts at the congressional money printing press, and congress is where the buck stops. Several presidents are entitled to their share of the blame for signing the legislation congress sent them.

If the weatherman let a hurricane sneak up on us without warning, he would be fired in a minute. We’ve just been hit a devastating blow, and lets hope this isn’t just the first wave. Don’t count on anybody that hangs his hat in Washington telling you one way or another whether there is more bad news ahead or not. Either they don’t have a clue, or they are not telling. Either way, I say it is time to throw them out, lock stock and barrel.

Let’s see if we can find some folks to work for us that will work for us. Let’s dump this bunch of ne’er do wells that led our county down the prim rose path.



Jim McClendon





Jim McClendon is a Member of the Alabama Legislature,

and represents St. Clair and Shelby Counties.