It’s time to critically analyze Mr. McHugh’s speech to the House during the Iraq debate that was recently reprinted in the Watertown Times as an editorial.

He argues that the message Congress is sending is not going to be heard by the President and, if it is heard, it will be as a “whisper.” He may very well be right, but that is not a reason to say nothing. In essence, McHugh is telling us that the President’s inability to hear the message is that he is deaf and dumb. I don’t believe that. It’s worse than that. He’s arrogant and stupid.

The combination of these two traits in one person charged with immense responsibility makes for a very dangerous situation. The individual with either trait can be handled and safely function in their area of expertise. It is certainly true with doctors. Arrogant doctors can be reigned in and stupid doctors can educated and their activities limited to areas where they are safe. However, combine the two, and it is prescription for lethality. These are the ones who should rightly be removed from the profession for the public’s safety. A number of years ago, when I was in a position of responsibility, I had to do just that. It wasn’t pleasant, but the alternative was a nightmare.

That’s what we now find ourselves in: a national nightmare with a President who, because he has been unchecked for six years, has grown so arrogant – so reckless – that he is threatening our national security and our cherished way of life. The very sad part of the story is that our congressman has – and continues to be – his accomplice. Even after the stinging rebuke that the nation gave to the Republican Congress this past November, he still continues to support the President. No amount of words with all the bobbing and weaving can change that. He voted against sending the President a message.

He may well claim that the rest of the nation is against the war and that the majority in the congressional district support it and hence his electoral win. He hopes that is what the public thinks, but to believe that would be extraordinarily naïve.

Those of us who have first hand knowledge of the political process understand that money is everything in politics. Without money, the candidate cannot get his message to the people. In fact, without money, the electorate doesn’t know that the candidate even exists.

Mr. McHugh has plenty of money. He spent $744,416 this last election. Seventy percent came from outside the state and 95% percent came from outside the congressional district. That is not surprising, given the poverty of the district with more than 15% of the population living under the poverty line.

He also liberally uses the House franking (mail) privileges to “communicate” with his constituents. These mailings are not congressional updates, but rather targeted mailings with specific messages to specific groups. It Madison Avenue at it best with the intent to get re-elected over and over again – and our tax dollars pay for it.

While he is trying to say one thing and do another, it needs to be very clearly stated that he is not on the fence. He is trying to have it both ways, but his actions belie that he is totally committed to the President and this war.

It is of the utmost importance to uncover his actions and separate them from his words. There are two types of people: those who do and those who talk. That is exactly the point. It is not what he says that is important. It is what he does. He continues to support this President and this war; all the while trying to create the appearance that he doesn’t. But the bottom line is this: he voted against the Iraq War Resolution and again refused to reign in a dangerous President.

Next Post: Supporting the troops and cutting war funds – there is no disconnect.