Washington D.C.

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Because our elected officials are charged with protecting the nation, I see no reason why senators and representatives, both Democrat and Republican, can”€™t take up arms and march into D.C.’s poorest neighborhoods to tamp down the malfeasance. They are citizens too, and have just as much interest in preserving law and order on the home front.

My proposal, of course, will not happen. Elected officials in Congress live in a bubble. They enjoy the best protection and security (taxpayer) money can buy. Their place of business has around-the-clock protection from men with automatic weapons. While the plebes have to deal with hoodlums on the Metro, congressmen get a stipend to pay for luxury cars. They are paid inflated salaries and receive all types of perks and benefits the rest of the country only dreams of enjoying.

As long as lawmakers remain far removed from the dangers everyday citizens must endure, little will be done to stem the rising crime rate. So if mandating that congressmen patrol the streets of D.C. is out of the question, I have one more suggestion.

Upon election, all lawmakers should be driven to the heart of Anacostia and be forced to walk back to the Capitol without any form of protection. Then maybe they”€™ll finally understand the anxiety city residents have to live with every day. And just maybe they”€™ll get a fire lit under their rears and do something meaningful about District crime without the worry of appearing bigoted or racist.

I”€™m not holding my breath, though.