Regardless of the source, whether by written or spoken word, it seemed as if new congressmen were expected not to attempt to go against the old, long-standing politicians. They were expected to learn the ropes prior to introducing bills or speaking out.

And, even more years ago, there was a movie starring Jimmie Stewart, "MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON." The movie focused on the role of new Congressmen not getting involved, which, of course, Mr. Stewart's character successfully went against.

During the past months of political shenanigans, otherwise called campaigning, many comments by politicians representing the two primary parties were televised and written about. The writer, while considering the problems presented herein, tried to recall hearing or reading comments made by freshmen in Congress.

He didn't recall any, nor does he remember any of the talk news shows having any freshmen Congressmen on their shows. So, maybe what he heard or read many years ago is the truth, that freshmen congressmen aren't really involved, that the 'ropes' must first be learned.

The question then is what are the ropes to learn? Why is it so important to other politicians that new congressmen are more or less required to be seen, not heard?

Does it relate to Dole's being called a 'party man' while he speaks almost as much to help associates retain their seats in Congress as he does on his behalf?

In answering these questions, check out this statement made by Bob Dole two-and-a-half weeks prior to the l996 Presidential election. He was attacking Mr. Clinton and speaking about foreign contributions to the Democractic party. He stated 'contributions' although the contribution from the Indonesian gentleman had been the only one talked about at that time.

The contribution was legal but, if nothing else, rely on innuendo. Be that as it may, Dole went ahead to state "if you're not an American citizen, you can't contribute and influence voting." (If this quote is not quite exact, the writer apologizes. It took an instant for the writer to realize what Dole was saying and tried to write notes while listening to the rest of the clip. If the reader cares to check the accuracy, ABC aired his statement on World News Tonight, October 21st.)

Then, in one of the few cases of equal treatment by ABC, a list of foreign contributors to Dole was put on the screen but too briefly for the writer to get any of them. Many times the writer viewed the foreign contribution to the Democratic party but only saw examples of foreign contributions to the Dole camp just the one time (as of October 24, 1997).

The writer realizes it has only been four days. However, following the airing of the foreign contribution to Clinton's campaign, nearly every newscast and Republican speaker brought it up for days.

Now, go back and read the statement Dole made. Think about it. What did Dole really say?

If the reader missed it, do not feel bad as apparently the media, his own party, Republican-leaning voters, and the opposing party also missed the significance of the statement.

Unless the writer does not understand the English language, Dole said that it was okay to receive contributions given with the intent of influencing congressional voting as long as the contributions are made by citizens.

Now, we're getting to a major problem. Dole has been in Congress for nearly four decades. He was once a freshman and had very little power. He was not well-known and, presumedly, didn't know all the rules of the game.

But, how about now? He made a statement that should have turned all Republican party members, including the voting public, against him but, instead, the statement was ignored.

Can you imagine a person seeking office saying to his constituency that it is okay to receive contributions made in order to influence his voting on legislation as long as it was from a citizen.

If you can't, that is the difference between freshmen congressmen and congressmen who have been around long enough to 'learn the ropes', the rules of the game, how to play the game, and, hopefully, stay within the laws or how to get by politically when not staying within the laws.

We all have heard politician after politician lie or distort the truth in their ads, their statements when being interviewed for newscasts, and, of course, while making campaign promises.

Generally, politicians who have been around many years, have credibility to the degree that they can say virtually anything they want and, when confronted with the truth, do a 'song-and-dance' that seems to satisfy far too many voters.

One of the techniques the writer has seen used in campaigns, debates, or interviews is to change the focus to the opponent or a complete change of topic, such as Dole and his wife getting Barbara Walters to think about the increase in drug usage rather than sticking to the question of tobacco interests contributing a large amount to the American Red Cross, headed by Mrs. Dole.

Or, during the second presidential debate, Dole using the same tactic when confronted with his statement that tobacco wasn't addictive. He did all he could to get the topic off on other drugs and confuse the issue. The individual asking the question should have forced an answer, rather than taking Dole's weak-lipped run-around.

Another example is old congressmen (those that aren't considered 'freshmen') change their beliefs and apparently have their constiuencies retain trust in them. What power they wield. Or, maybe people just hear what they want to hear, not what has been said.

As an example, Dole historically voted for nearly every tax increase during his tenure as a congressmen. Both Kemp and Gingrich publically derided Dole's love of tax hikes that affected middle-Americans.

Now, Dole has 'changed' to believing taxes are too high and that he, if elected, will lower taxes 15 percent across the board.

You may but the writer does not remember one time during the past 16 years that Dole fought against any tax increase except the increase enacted by President Clinton. That increase, by the way, affected only those people earning $200,000 or more a year, an amount far exceeded by Dole's "declared" income.

Congressmen raise their own incomes hundreds of percentage points above the cost of living increases, increase their own retirements automatically while fighting against mimimum wage increases, fight for medicare reductions and then, during the presidential campaign, go the other way. Examples could go on and on until volumes are filled. These practices are, of course, completely self-serving.

An Iowan polictician running for the Senate, Lightfoot, stated he has never lived in Washington because Washington corrupts. And, all of us are aware of the phrase, 'just another Washington politician', a phrase that carries only negative connotations.

Why does the phrase exist? Why do so many believe Washington does corrupt? Exactly what are freshmen congressmen taught? Why do politicians with power get away with so much while returning so little? I.e., what are the rules of the game of Washington politics and politicians that freshman Congressmen must learn?

It may not be possible to determine all of the rules of the political games being played by analyzing the l996 presidential campaigns, but the most flagrant abuses to the American public should be detectable. Here, then, are:

THE

TEN COMMANDMENTS

OF

WASHINGTON POLITICIANS.

COMMANDMENT #1 - Do anything or say anything to get and keep the people's trust. It's okay to be unethical or immoral; just don't get caught with your pants completely down exposing yourself for what you are.

COMMANDMENT #2 - Never admit you do the same as you are accusing your opponent of doing. Learn to lie or distort the truth, to passionately accuse your opponent of the same improprieties you practice regularly.

COMMANDMENT #3 - Learn the 'song-and-dance' routine when confronted with misdeeds, misinformation you have stated publically, or illegalities you have practiced. People want to believe in their chosen party and will allow the truth to be distorted.

COMMANDMENT #4 - Change your philosophy to suit the moment. Longevity as a politician depends on this principle of dancing around the negatives of any issue to seduce your constituency into believing your concern is their welfare, that you believe as they do even though you may have voted contrary to the fact many times.

COMMANDMENT #5 - Rely on innuendo and/or allegations against your opponent. People thrive on controversy, learning that politicians often behave just as they do (illicite sexual behaviors, e.g.), and thinking the worst of politicians they do not support while overlooking the same acts from politicians they do support.

COMMANDMENT #6 - If your behaviors are not within the laws of Man or of God, hide the facts as long as humanly possible and, should you get caught, get the subject off yourself and onto your opponent. Lie, if necessary, but change the focus of the issue. And don't allow any of this to damage your party.

COMMANDMENT #7 - Always back a party member even if you have recently proved (or alleged) said party member is not for the people, dishonest, a thief, and/or an immoral, unethical person whose only concerns are his own. Remember, keeping the party in power is the important issue, not the truth.

COMMANDMENT #8 - Work hard for soft money. Make any and all promises to large contributors which are necessary to increase the coffers. Return in the form of behind-the-doors-political-favoritism and don't worry about what is best for the majority of the people you represent.

COMMANDMENT #9 - If you do not have any other tool to use in winning votes from your opponent, go immediately to character assassination.

People love scandal and will create it or maintain it even if it is not based on the truth. Or, if the truth is you are just as lacking in character, manipulate people's thoughts by using the above commandments that apply to the situation.

COMMANDMENT #10 Above all else, be self-serving. You are developing a career that will result in becoming a millionaire without any of the concerns of the common man who faces an uncertain future.

Raise your pay without regard to the people living in poverty and provide yourself an automatically increasing retirement.

There you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ten Commandments of the leaders you have put in Washington.

Needless to say, new people to a system that has been distorted by professional, too-long-in-office politicians must learn to operate in the Washington political system that has been created by, and for, people who are experts at manipulating your thoughts, your Congressmen.

Thus, the apparent philosophy of a Party Man: Idealism be damned; you Freshman will accept what we do or we will see that you are not re-elected, regardless of the measures we have to take.