McCain in Colombia, Obama in Iraq

Within the past two weeks the American people have been treated to two of our presidential candidates forays to foreign nations, with press corp or press representatives in tow. First, John McCain in Colombia for some strange reason, the day of the Betancourt rescue. Now, Barack Obama making a quick tour of Iraq (McCain's been there eight times), and then on to Europe with three of the nation's top anchors in tow. Meanwhile, as both Senators supposedly representing Arizona and Illinois respectively, apparently deem these trips are rather more important than showing up on the Senate floor for votes.

My question in all of this is why? Are these two men not President, but Senators? Do we not have a president, Secretary of State and Ambassadors to handle foreign relations matters, until there is a changing of the guard after November? Just who is paying for these trips for these two Senators? Between Pelosi's trips and now these two, it would appear that our representatives have no inkling what their jobs are. This election has now gone on for almost two years, while the business of governing our country and being present in Washington appears to take a back seat to the press junkets and face time with the press and foreign governments.

I'd already requested a refund for Ms. Pelosi's two "in your face" trips to Iraq on the taxpayer's dime. I hope the rest of you will write Senator Obama and Senator McCain and ask for yours also. If their campaigns are picking up the costs, then can see why the campaign coffers are going dry, or now why Senator Obama refused to take matching taxpayer funds. Obviously, part of his campaign is in order represent his true constituents, his campaign contributors, on his Iraqi and European whirlwind.

No wonder our country is now losing the respect of other nations in the world. The partisan politics and back biting, and total disregard for the American citizens lives, safety, and property now ranks this President and Congress as the lowest since such statistics were gathered - less than 16%. And that three of the top anchors from the three news stations would accompany Mr. Obama just goes to show you how low and desperate our news media will go in order to pump up their ever declining ratings.

The American people have spoken - most are turning off the sets. And I for one will never be checking off the voluntary contribution to the presidential election campaigns ever again, if this is what the monies are used for - since it appears only half the Obama trip was picked up by the campaign, and the other half picked up by Joe and Jill citizens.

And both spurn the "elitist" tags. The mothers of most in my generation always said, "actions speak louder than words."