Servants in the United States

Servants of Constituents

Members of the House and Senate also act as servants of their constituents. Most often, they do this as they (and, more particularly, their staff aides) try to help people who have various problems with the federal bureaucracy. Those problems may involve a Social Security benefit, a passport application, a small business loan, or any one of a thousand other issues.

Some of “the folks back home” believe that members of Congress are in Washington primarily to do favors for them. Most members are swamped with constituent requests from the moment they take office. The range of these requests is almost without limit– everything from help in securing a government contract or an appointment to a military academy, to asking for a free sightseeing tour of Washington or even a personal loan.

Consider this job description offered only half-jokingly by a former representative: “A Congressman has become Sources an expanded messenger boy, an employment agency, getter-outer of the Navy, Army, Marines, ward heeler, wound healer, trouble shooter, law explainer, bill finder, issue translator, resolution interpreter, controversy oil pourer, gladhand extender, business promoter, convention goer, civil ills skirmisher, veterans’ affairs adjuster, ex-serviceman’s champion, watchdog for the underdog, sympathizer with the upper dog, namer and kisser of babies, recoverer of lost luggage, soberer of delegates, adjuster for traffic violators, voters straying into Washington and into toils of the law, binder up of broken hearts, financial wet nurse, Good Samaritan, contributor to good causes — there are so many good causes — cornerstone layer, public building and bridge dedicator, ship christener — to be sure he does get in a little flag waving — and a little constitutional hoisting and spread-eagle work, but it is getting harder every day to find time to properly study legislation — the very business we are primarily here to discharge, and that must be done above all things.” (Rep. Luther Patrick (D., Alabama))

Most members of Congress know that to deny or fail to respond to these requests would mean to lose votes in the next election. This is a key fact, for all of the roles a member of Congress plays– legislator, representative, committee member, constituent servant, and politician–are related, at least in part, to their efforts to win reelection.

Servants (Agents Distinguished)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of servants. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Agents Distinguished is provided. Finally, the subject of Agency Relationships in relation with servants is examined. Note that a list of cross references, bibliography and other resources appears at the end of this entry.

Resources

Further Reading

• Information about Servants in the Gale Encyclopedia of American Law.