Don't think it's only the democrats who like to make a living out of being a politician . . . .

[PHILIP SCHNEIDER]

There are plenty of Republicans who like feeding at that trough of public money and benefits.

GOP Rep. Jerry Lewis to retire from House

By Cameron Joseph - 01/12/12 01:04 PM ET

Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), the former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, will retire at the end of this term, he announced on Thursday.

Lewis, a 17-term lawmaker from southern California, was pushed into a Democratic-leaning district by the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, and faced a tough fight for reelection.

He also has lost power in the House: Republican leaders denied his bid for a waiver to return as Appropriations chairman when the GOP won back the House majority. Conservatives were unhappy with his previous support of earmarks, and the chairmanship went to Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers instead.

Lewis's retirement comes on the same day that Democrats got a strong recruit in the district: Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar announced this morning that he would run for the seat.

"After months of consultation with loved ones and family, my wife Arlene and I have decided to retire from public life," Lewis said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful to so many who have provided their support over the years. I have worked hard to justify that support. Thank you all and may God continue to bless America."

Lewis's retirement might make things easier for another powerful southern California Republican to return to the House — Rep. David Dreier, the head of the House Rules Committee, has been left without a good district to run in because of redistricting, and has considered running in Lewis's district if Lewis retired, according to a California Republican familiar with his thinking.

17 TERMS IN OFFICE!!!! Are you kidding me???? THIRTY FOUR YEARS sucking the teat of our government!

What ever happened to the philosophy of serving your country for a term or two and getting out?

GIVE ME TERM LIMITS!!! I want TERM LIMITS and I want them NOW!!!

Notice, the only reason Lewis is quitting is because he has been redistricted and he suspects his new district won't automatically put him back in office. You know like maybe he would've had to actually campaign and DO something to get elected!

This disgusts me!

And then look who "chairman" of the House "Appropriations Committee" is. YUP, your pall and mine, the man responsible for seeing to it who gets their "Earmarks " paid for . . . . .  Mr. Jerry Lewis.

HOW . . . . can we continue to be so stupid???

`

[Leon Ewers]

*just look at greece and see what's happening to them* coming to America soon.

[Leon Ewers]

*throw it around*

[Leon Ewers]

Well you know when the money changers like you and you remain loyal to them you can do almost anything and get away with it.

I think we should get rid of the house appropriations commitee altogether, they are not there to give money away especially money that's not theirs, that money is to pay for debts owed only. So if We The People owe a debt to someone then the treasury issues it out. These crooks just steal it and through it around like if they can print however much they want.... oh wait their banker butt buddies do so they can steal our property right out from under us for pennies on the dollar just look at what's happening to them.