So according to the Associated Press, Washington state senators are up in arms because their building is undergoing renovations, which means they will temporarily be losing their special dining room with their elite French chef. They're so upset about this, they wrote a letter which states (in capital letters, mind you) that "THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE."

While the senators do pay for their own meals which cover the operating costs of the cafeteria/restaurant, so it's not like the taxpayers are paying for their food, it's still a little outrageous that these people would be so offended that they'd have to eat the same food prepared for the rest of their co-workers in the Senate building. Pardon me, but isn't our government made up of representatives by the people, for the people and of the people? Are these state senators forgetting their lowly roots?

More importantly, aren't there other issues that should occupy their time that have a little more impact on the community rather than their dining room? AP reports that the Washington state senate just cut $685 million from the state budget, which resulted in the layoffs of hundreds of state workers. This raises unemployment levels and puts a strain on the economy, not to mention the impact this will have on those workers' families. Shouldn't the senators be working on a way to help these people rather than helping themselves first with something as ephemeral as a private dining room equipped with its own French chef?

Government workers are frequently referred to as "public servants," and that's exactly what they are. They serve us. I don't know where or when that was lost, but somewhere along the way, these representatives achieved perks and income levels and lavish gifts that most of the country only dreams about as they go to sleep in their cramped apartments and wonder where the money will come from to fix the car so they can get to their jobs or feed their children.