As I See It
Convicted felons don’t belong in US Senate
There is something wrong with our system if U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is allowed to continue serving in the United States Senate. The New Jersey Democrat was found guilty this week on all counts in his federal corruption trial. Prosecutors say the Senator tried to use his power to advance Egyptian military interests, interfere in criminal prosecutions in exchange for money. Menendez and his wife reportedly received gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and other bribes in exchange for his influence. He could face more than 200 years in prison. Menendez will appeal, which is his right, but he should be savvy enough to step down from the Senate. He isn’t going quietly it appears, vowing to remain in office, despite calls from fellow senators to step down. Those calling for him to step down are primarily members of his own party. Chuck Schumer and Corey Booker are among those calling on Menendez to step aside. If he does not, it would take a two-thirds vote of the Senate to expel him. Menendez is clearly corrupt who put personal profits ahead of the interests of the country. Something is wrong with our system if he is allowed to continue serving in the U.S. Senate, despite being labeled a foreign agent.
Roy
July 18, 2024 at 7:14 am
Menendez has been on the take for years and the Democrats have known all along. Schumer tolerated it because that’s the way he does business.
LG
July 18, 2024 at 7:46 am
Nice try Mr. Shaw. If convicted felons don’t belong in the Senate, then I guess convicted felons don’t belong in the presidency either. Is that the hidden agenda here?
I will agree that there is something wrong with the political system, but you’re not looking in the right place. How about the existing Duopoly where only major party candidates have a voice. How about excluding competition from the debates. How about the media, including local media promoting lies, distortions, and deceit like the press secretary, calling actual video of Biden’s dementia related confusion and absent staring cheap fakes. How about distortion in the news with regard to which stories to cover and which ones to omit. How about the advantages of incumbents over all other candidates? How about the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association excluding Libertarians from the debates in Wisconsin. How about the willingness of Democrats to demand that Biden stepped down so they can insert someone else, disenfranchising all the Democrats who voted for Biden to be the Democrat nominee. Yes, there’s something wrong with our political system.
walden
July 18, 2024 at 10:57 am
Upon conviction, Menendez reportedly asked Sen Schumer how many more gold bars it would take for him (Menendez) to keep his Senate seat a little bit longer.
Greg Symons
July 19, 2024 at 5:44 am
More important than his felony conviction is the fact that his corruption came because he was in the senate. He used his position for personal gain at the cost of his constituents and the honor of the U.S. Senate. Mr. Menendez should be expelled from the senate, just as Santos was expelled from the house. But that would take Schummer to do the honorable thing and we know that is unlikely.
Paul
July 19, 2024 at 7:40 am
He should serve a minimum of 8 years in prison. The same as was given to Duke Cunningham. Look it up.
Tom
July 19, 2024 at 10:09 am
Convicted felons don’t belong in US Senate. Well, let’s follow the rules (change ’em if you don’t like ’em). But as long as we’re talking about who does not belong in US Senate (or any other elected position) how about those who do not or will not follow the Constitution and their Oaths of Office.