[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1483-E1484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE CONGRESS ACCORDING TO KESSLER?

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                          HON. BOB LIVINGSTON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 1997

  Mr. LIVINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of this most 
noble of democratic institutions and the Members who occupy it.
  Mr. Ronald Kessler has written a book entitled ``Inside Congress,'' 
the premise of which is that we, the elected representatives who hold 
seats in this Congress are nothing but scoundrels, criminals, and 
charlatans.
  Mr. Speaker, not only do I rise in total disagreement with Mr. 
Kessler's cynicism, but I strongly maintain that the people who serve 
here are, for the most part, good, decent, honest, hard-working, 
patriotic Americans.
  In support of my position, I submit into the Record an article I 
wrote which appeared in the newspaper ``The Chronicle'' of Colfax, LA.
  It is my hope that the American people will see through Mr. Kessler's 
sensationalism and realize that the overwhelming majority of the 
Representatives, Senators, and staff are truly worthy of their trust.

                   The Congress According to Kessler?

                     (By U.S. Rep. Bob Livingston)

       In Ron Kessler's tell-all book, ``Inside Congress,'' only 
     true charlatans, perverts and power-mad political hucksters 
     are worthy of note. Sadly, that pretty much encompasses every 
     member of the House and Senate for in Mr. Kessler's view, 
     we're all rotten.
       Fortunately, Mr. Kessler himself spared me from buying his 
     book. After seeing him on ``Good Morning America'' last week, 
     I learned everything I need to know about it. The people who 
     inhabit Mr. Kessler's Congress come straight out of a B 
     movie. In fact, Kessler said that the television talk shows

[[Page E1484]]

     only feature the more articulate members who look good on 
     camera and seem intelligent. But according to him, that's not 
     reality. Most members are ``clueless'' and incapable of 
     discussing issues on a substantive level, relying on handlers 
     to tell them what to think and say. He went as far as to 
     write that when members are on the floor, sans makeup and 
     proper lighting, they look, ``shifty.'' Talk about broad 
     generalizations. At least Good Morning America anchorman, 
     Charlie Gibson politely demurred. Charlie spent eight years 
     covering Congress and found most members to be honest, 
     hardworking men and woman interested in ``doing the people's 
     business.'' My thanks to Mr. Gibson for his judgment with 
     which I heartily concur. Yet faced with Mr. Gibson's 
     gentlemanly confrontation, Mr. Kessler insisted that Congress 
     is a cesspool of corruption. In fact, Mr. Kessler was so 
     sanctimoniously assured, he refused to admit he might have 
     overstated his case just a bit.
       While in Congress over the last twenty years, I've seen 
     some members reap the rewards of inappropriate and even 
     criminal acts. But those are the exceptions and far from the 
     rule. For the most part, members of Congress are honest, 
     dedicated, patriotic, hard working, competent legislators. In 
     fact, most members love and respect this greatest of 
     democratic institutions and would avoid bringing shame on 
     this House at all costs. They are good people trying to do 
     good things, be they conservative or liberal, Republican or 
     Democrat.
       Yet our televisions, radios and newspapers are saturated 
     with detailed accounts of official misconduct. After all, 
     good news is no news and people like Mr. Kessler, who only 
     report the seedier side of life, profit by capturing the 
     public's attention. Mr. Kessler knows that books in the 
     ``shocking real story'' genre sell.
       Kessler's sources include Capitol Hill police, 
     Congressional staff and some members themselves, few if any 
     quoted by name. Who would expect them to hurl salacious 
     rumors in the clear light of public scrutiny? Instead, most 
     chose to remain anonymous.
       Kessler has been inside a lot over the last few years. He 
     has been inside the FBI, inside the CIA, inside the White 
     House--I wonder if he paid the admission price to get inside 
     the Lincoln bedroom?
       Perhaps Mr. Kessler should go outside for a change. He 
     could take in a ballgame or play some golf. A little fresh 
     air and sunshine might do him some good. It might even change 
     his outlook on life. Then, he might conclude that in reality, 
     the good people of the world--and that includes those in the 
     United States Congress--far outnumber the bad.
       I don't know what his next subject will be, but after his 
     performance on ABC, perhaps the title of his next book should 
     be ``A View of the World--From Under a Rock'' by Ron Kessler.

     

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