The only thing Billy Long and Ronald Reagan have in common other than the R behind their names is they are both good actors. Reagan was a great leader, where Billy Long continues to prove the voters in Southwest Missouri are gullible fools for buying into his "fed up" rhetoric.
Do you remember this Billy Long from the campaign?
"I'm fed up with everything that is going on in DC."
Long was so fed up, one of the first things he did upon getting to DC was join an expensive and exclusive club that caters to the same people Long claimed he was fed up with--career politicians. Obviously, Billy Long likes the status quo of Washington, DC a lot more than he claims based on what I read today in the Turner Report:
Seventh District Congressman Billy Long is so fed up with Washington, that one of the first things he did upon arriving in town is fork over $1,133 for membership in the exclusive Capitol Hill Club, according to his quarterly report, filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission.
Long raised $78,517 during the quarter and spent $34,813.15, leaving him with $73,263.35 in his account, according to the report.
"The club is described on its website as "a national social club for Republicans. The stately second floor Presidential Dining Room offers splendid cuisine prepared by our renowned chefs. This room is a favorite place for Senators, Representatives and their guests to dine and discuss the day’s political agenda. The dining room is open for lunch and dinner and is a superb venue for your most memorable weekend events.
"On our lower level, members enjoy the informal atmosphere of the Auchincloss Grill for breakfast, lunch, afternoon drinks and dinner. Always a popular spot, the Grill is especially busy after a late-night session of Congress.
"Named after the Club’s earlier address on C Street, the 75 Room feels like your own living room, with its sofas and nooks. The room offers wireless internet service to members for additional convenience.
"The third and fourth levels include a variety of dining and meeting rooms appropriate for all types of business and social occasions. The newly renovated fourth flour suites are an elegant setting for all events, whether a lunch meeting or evening reception. Groups from 10 to 400 can be accommodated with ease. High speed internet access is available in all our rooms.
Well, at least we don't have to worry about Billy going hungry with his membership. He does look like he has packed on a few pounds since getting to DC--the freshman 50. I wonder if they have a backroom so Long can feel at home.
We go onto learn what we assumed about Long all along. This isn't about the people, this has always been about Long and his cronies and their social status, which is why Jeff Layman and Long were yukking it up with the most disgraceful president of all about the Pittsburgh Steelers just before the Super Bowl, if you remember the tweets from these Long and Layman.
You see the Capitol Hill Club, according to Randy Turner, is not about anything more than Washington social status. So while we know Billy Long isn't reading the bills he co-sponsors like HR607, evident in the News-Leader story where Long was unaware the bill confiscated frequencies from HAM radio operators, we do know he is spending a lot of time on the Washington social scene while spending a great time fundraising as well. Remember, Long said he was fed up with career politicians in Washington because they spend too much time in campaign mode and not enough time focused on the issues. Look at what Billy has become.
It also makes you wonder if an average guy like Mel Hancock, who once served this office and who Long compared himself too, was as frivolous with his campaign donor's money and used it just to gain admission to an exclusive club. Knowing Mr. Hancock and his wife, I rather doubt it.
Turner closes:
Of course, membership in the club might be a good thing if Long was using the access to conduct people's business, but club laws do not allow that to happen:
No member shall carry on or transact any business or indulge in the practice of any profession in the Club at any time...
Now while he is being "fed up," Billy Long will also have a place to be fed.
