Cities and Counties Hiring Lobbyists in DC

I will do my best to re-post my comments from earlier. Unfortunately, due to browser issues I have permanently lost my brilliant comments.

I ran across this article today from the Republic. It goes into the various reasons that cities and counties in AZ feel it is necessary to hire people to represent them in Washington. Foolish me, I thought we had representation in Washington. Clearly, having one the "Most effective Senators in DC" doesn't have as many advantages as originally imagined. But what about Saint John, surely he looks out for his home state? Well...he would, but he is too busy running for President (for the past 10 years). What about our highly esteemed (and senior) Congressmen you ask? We all know that Flake doesn't earmark (and I respect that mostly), but what about the rest? Clearly not enough...

In the interest of helping out, here is an idiot's guide to governing for our Congressional delegation (especially our Republican members):

1. You represent constituents, not interest groups.
2. Worry less about scoring points for your party and more about producing for your constituents.
3. Spending more time talking (to wingnut groups or on Fox news) than producing for your constituents may result in losing your next reelection (see JD Hayworth).
4. Being nationally recognized by a wingnut interest group is not necessarily good (see JD Hayworth). Keep your head down and refuse those lobbyist bribes.
5. Arizona tax payers should not have to pony up hundreds of thousands of dollars for representation in Washington. We are already paying you hundreds of thousands of dollars to represent us there and we want our moneys worth.
6. Careless about meaningless legislation (see fetal pain bill) and more about your constituents, state's and country's best interest (in case you forgot we are mired in a two poorly run wars).
7. Sometimes you should do the right thing even if it means not being reelected (I know this is particularly hard to stomach). Most constituents will respect your honest disagreement(no, that does not mean rubber stamp this weeks idiotic Bush Administration policy) .