Is that cheering I hear

coming from the VolksRepublik?

Longtime Massachusetts Congressman Barney Franks has announced that he will not be seeking reelection next year.  Franks has been in Congress since 1980.  For reference, I was in the 4th grade when he was elected for the first time.  So much for the ideal of a productive member of society going to Washington for a couple of terms of service to the nation and then returning to society to be productive again.  I honestly wonder if we can use Congressman Franks as an example of "He went into Congress worth X dollars, and he's leaving Congress worth X dollars".

I look forward to another open election in a heretofore locked up office next year.  Those are always good for viewing, preferable with popcorn.