None-the-less, Billy Long is crying to another media source that his 30 years of hard work is being taken from him all because he chose to run for Congress and won.
“I’m not saying I agree with the rules, but I will abide by them,” he told the SBJ.
Now let's think about this. Billy Long ran on a platform which he claimed he was fed up with how things are done in Washington, and one would guess that includes Washington corruption based on his stand on earmarks and a number of other issues. However, Long doesn't agree with rules in the House that work to limit corruption.
This rule Long denounces prevents Congressmen from receiving outcside income while he is in Congress. Why do you suspect the House would have such a rule? Could it be to prevent corruption by minimizing outside influece? Of course. Could you imagine what if this rule wasn't in place and Congressmen were allowed to go to work for companies or represent unions--or worse, receive income from foreign interests while in office.
Obviously, money is one of the most influential forces around the world, and the rule is to ensure Congress isn't easily influenced by it to limit corruption. This is another one of those instances between what Billy Long tells voters and what he thinks in real life are obviously a major contradiction.
I like the advice my new friend Sean offers Long, that is if selling Billy Long Auctions and his 1/3 share in Murney Associates is this painful. "We're all very sorry that you'll be taking a pay cut in Congress. But I'm relatively confident that a replacement could be found if you find life as a Congressman service too darn hard."
Like I said, I believe this is all an act anyway to create the illusion of sacrifice, while all of this goes secretly into a blind trust. I think these sound bites are just part of the act, kind of like being fed up.
