The dictionary defines an autocrat as - anyone having unlimited power over others. Members of Congress can be called "quasi autocrats" because their power is practically unlimited.

Career Congressmen/women spend all or most of their careers in office. The average length of time senators are in office is almost 13 years, while representatives average 10 years. The U.S. Senators who have served the longest at the present time are: Robert Byrd - 48 years; Daniel Inouye - 44 years. The individuals in the U.S. House of Representatives who have served the longest are: John Dingell, Jr. - 50 years; John Conyers, Jr. - 41 years; Charles Rangel - 35 years; Paul Sarbanes - 35 years; and Ralph Regula - 33 years. How often, in their long careers, have they acted to preserve their seats in government at the expense of their country?

There are generations of quasi autocrats in Congress and the office of President because of name recognition. Here are a few names connected with nepotism: Kennedy, Bush, Gore, Elizabeth Dole, and Hillary Clinton.

Career members of Congress become arrogant because of the indifference of apathetic voters. Here are some of the obvious examples of their unchallenged arrogance: generous retirement plans, passing laws that exempt them, special health care programs for themselves, and accepting raises in salary during this recession.

Legislators seemingly become more arrogant the longer that they are in office. The Congressional Seniority System supports this attitude because the length of service determines positions on the more important committees and chairmanships; including more perks, preferred offices, and larger staffs. Chairs of powerful committees are nicknamed, Cardinals because of the power they wield. Occasionally, these chairmen/women exert their power by keeping legislation and/or nominees, which they disapprove of, in their committee thereby preventing a floor vote by the membership of their legislative chamber.

Quasi autocrats blithely vote along party lines on lengthy, legislative bills without having read them. They hastily create overly complex laws to satisfy special interests without concern about the unforeseen consequences. These arrogant politicians pass unnecessarily, long, convoluted legislation of thousands of pages that are difficult to administer and provide lawyers with an abundant source of billable hours.  

It is time for a nonviolent revolution of the ballot box to remove these rascals and elect patriots, who will serve their country not their career ambitions.