Is anyone troubled by how our elected leaders are acting as well as how they are judged?  The recent death of Senator Ted Stevens is no doubt an absolute tragedy.  When members of the media eulogize politicians, they adhere (pretty much) to the etiquette of remembering the best of the person, which is understandable, and almost always without exception the right thing to do.   

To be clear, I am not criticizing the media for their positive coverage of fallen leaders like Stevens and Byrd.  I am not even taking issue with their coverage of Charlie Rangel, including the gentle handling of his birthday.  I am merely suggesting that lauding elected officials for “delivering” for their state or district gives me pause.  Be they corrupt, dead, or both, their supporters defend their shortcomings (speculated, alleged or proven)) by highlighting their delivery of federal dollars.  Perhaps, it would be better to highlight events that speak to their faith in God, or their duty to the country (Stevens and Rangel were both veterans of distinguished service) or the honor and joy they brought to lives of their family members by living an honest life of character.  If we define congressional leaders' success by their ability to take pieces of the federal treasury and dole them out to our particular constituency, we have failed not only our country, but our creator as well.