LoBiondo lost his integrity

In 1994, the Republican Party swept to control of both houses of Congress due, in large part, to their endless touting of a so-called “Contract with America.” Primary among this “contract's” provisions were a demand for a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution and a plan for term limits for members of Congress. The idea was that the budget amendment was needed because politicians couldn't be trusted to live within the country's means, and term limits were needed because career politicians inevitably became corrupted by the political culture and pressures of Washington. Newly elected Rep. Frank LoBiondo vowed to fight for the responsible fiscal policies a balanced budget would require. He also promised to limit himself to a maximum of six terms in office. As a national debt soars past $8.5 trillion, no one talks about a balanced budget anymore, least of all LoBiondo, who has voted in unquestioning lockstep with the profligate current administration. And now LoBiondo is running for his seventh term. Apparently the notion of noncareer, citizen politicians who serve and return to the community is as quaint as the idea of fiscal responsibility. Circumstances do change. Principles, when a person actually holds them, change perhaps less easily. LoBiondo, by all accounts a personally good and decent man, has done well for himself. He has gained power, influence and the friendship of presidents. All that he has lost is his integrity. John Orifici, Ventnor Atlantic City Press, November 2, 2006