By Ray Cardello for March 14, 2026, Season 34 / Post 33

I guess the title of today’s article could be applied to every facet of American government. The erosion of civility, competency, and patriotism in people serving in Congress, the White House, and even the Supreme Court over the last 50 years has been astounding to witness and disheartening for those of us who truly love this country and still think Americans are the luckiest people on Earth. Being raised a Catholic, I was born into a life of guilt. I remember even as a young kid of Italian descent growing up in Massachusetts, spending time wondering how I was so lucky to be born a white kid in America and not a black kid in the jungles of Africa. I guess that incense at Holy Rosary Church did strange things to this kid’s mind, but as crazy as my thoughts were, I knew I had won the lottery being born an American. It pains me when people, especially those chosen to represent us in Washington, tear away at the fabric of America and try to convince us that we are an illegitimate country built on stolen land with the blood and sweat of slaves. If you really felt that way, how could you put your hand on the Bible and take an oath to defend her against anyone who would do her harm? I guess after the first lie, the rest come easier.

Let’s focus on Connecticut for a bit this morning. Connecticut is a unique state in that it suffers from an identity issue. It is part of the Big Apple, though it is home to many who travel to New York every day to work or play, and it is not Boston either. Heck, Connecticut even developed its own version of the lobster roll, served hot and dripping with melted butter, rather than cold, deliciously mixed with Duke’s mayo and served in a perfectly grilled hot dog bun like they are at Reds in beautiful coastal Maine. The two Senators from Connecticut embrace all that is wrong with DC. The good folks of Connecticut are getting what they deserve for sending someone like the two Senators currently serving the people of the “Constitution State.”

Senior Senator Richard Blumenthal carries himself around Washington as if a member of royalty, but those of us with a memory remember him lying about his military record during his first run for the Senate. Having never left the continental United States, Blumenthal shamelessly reported about his time spent in Vietnam. Certainly an insult to the voters, but a slap on the face to actual veterans who made the trip to the South Pacific. Ten years later, and he has outlived his fake valor, and the people of Connecticut have reelected him to the Senate.

Murphy is a phony of a different type. For some reason, the media loves to have Murphy in front of a camera, probably because he has no problem straying from the facts. He is a daily human soundbite and a harsh critic of the President. This week, he went overboard referring to Trump as a senile old man who had lost his mind and was going to lose this battle with Iran, too. Murphy obviously is not getting briefings on the war as Trump and Netanyahu are strategically and systematically destroying Iran’s military, including its entire Navy and ballistic missile capabilities. When Murphy was insulting Trump, he was also putting down our brave sons and daughters wearing the uniform and performing like a well-oiled machine to accomplish victory over the terrorist sponsoring Iranian regime. Murphy went straight from law school to politics having never worked a day in the private sector. With no meaningful legislation attached to his name passed, Murphy is more of a cheerleader than a legislator. To many of us Conservatives, he is more like a court jester.