Letter: Lee, Cruz, Obama: all were arrogant rookies

What is it with freshman U.S. senators? Consider Utah's Mike Lee and Ted Cruz of Texas. Both are in their first terms; both are young and inexperienced; both have a blank record in working to pass constructive legislation; both can give speeches that are appealing to segments of their constituencies; and both are arrogant enough to think the country should follow them in shutting down the government.

But they proceed anyway. And look at what that brought us.

They are similar to another freshman senator of a few years back — a young and inexperienced senator from Illinois who had a blank record for accomplishments of any sort. He gave speeches that appealed to a significant segment of the electorate, and he was arrogant enough to think that the country should elect him president. He proceeded anyway. And look at what that brought us.

It appears that once these first-term senators get to Washington and are treated by lobbyists as though they're important, they start to believe they really are important and come down with an ailment we might call freshman senator syndrome. This is a condition for which we must find a cure.

D. James Croft

Midway