Many good people serve in Congress. They are patriotic, hard-working, and devoted to the public good as they see it, but the institutional and cultural impediments to change frustrate the intentions of these well-meaning people as rarely before.

Most public officials work hard to serve the public good and abide by Oregon's ethics laws.

My father was on the Judiciary Committee all 18 years. He had a good personal relationship with Jim Eastland. They probably didn't agree on practically anything, or very little, from a public policy standpoint. But they were willing to work through that to see what they could get done just because they knew each other and liked each other.

What is required from members of Congress and the public alike is a new spirit of devotion to the national welfare beyond party or self-interest.

If I can't do something for the public good, what the hell am I doing?

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.