But to Springfield's new Rep.-elect Billy Long -- who ran on the slogan "Fed Up" because he said he was sick of all the spending, insider deals and liberal politics -- the chance to make a difference is worth having to sell his business and take a pay cut.
"I honest-to-goodness think somebody needs to do it," Long told the News-Leader in an interview. "We need more businesspeople up there."
But don't call him "Congressman."
"I'm not much into titles," he said. "I want people to call me Billy."
Don't call him Congressman? Why not?
Is it because he doesn't want to be identified as the bum the next election? Seriously, what did Billy Long tell voters this year other than he was fed up blaming it on career politicians with negative attack ads knowing he won't have that luxury in two years with Republicans challenge him in the primary? And they will.
Or is this Long's way of continuing to lie to Southwest Missouri voters that he is not part of the establishment. He's just Billy. What a crock that is! If Southwest Missourians weren't such lazy voters, they would have realized very early on just how tied to the establishment Long really is. In fact within just a couple months of announcing, Long told Vincent David Jericho he would do whatever the Republican leadership tells him to do. Besides, just look at all the special interest money that came his way.
So that's what Long wants us to call him, "Billy." Not Congressman Long. Not Representative Long. Just "Billy." Lucky us, as if the IQ of the Congressman from the 7th isn't falling considerably come January, Long has to remind us with this name that every boy should outgrow when they become a man. "Billy." Geez! Lucky us. Long is going to make this district a complete joke. At least there's one good decision Long has made.
And don't expect him to wear his trademark rancher's hat -- it's a 7√Ω-inch-long oval, not a 10-gallon hat -- on the House floor.
"My mom never would let me wear my hat indoors," he said. Long's mother died a year ago. "She was always big on a man removing their hat when they came indoors, and I always tried to do that."
Thank goodness. The last thing we need this district to be renamed to is Hazzard County.
