Johnson was first elected to Congress in 2006; he has been re-elected three times since then. According to OpenSecrets.org, Johnson sponsored 12 bills as of 2012, ten of which originated in 2011, of such importance as H.R. 34, “Expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of the Commonwealth of Australia as they struggle against deadly floods that began on December 24, 2010”, and H.R. 528, Neglected Infections of Impoverished Americans Act.
He co-sponsored an additional 365 bills, 269 of which were put forth during 2011. Bills like H.R. 831, “honoring and recognizing David ‘Dave’ Warren Brubeck for his contributions in musical composition, jazz, and to the international community (he liked Lena Horne, too)” and H.R. 785, “condemning the discrimination, hate crimes, racism, bigotry, bullying and brutal violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, and all acts of vandalism against Sikh Gurdwaras in the United States.” These bills were, literally, chosen at random to illustrate the difference Johnson has made, in his elected capacity, to the welfare of his state and nation.
Johnson is just one case of Congressional buffoonery (Sheila Jackson Lee also springs to mind). The fact that there are no intelligence requirements for elected office is unconscionable. Worse still, such individuals keep getting re-elected by an equally dim and uncaring electorate. And Johnson’s like will keep cluttering up Congress as long as his constituents are no better.
