Most of us at some point has worked for an overbearing and abusive employer.
We all know the type - the loud, overbearing, unreasonable, and obnoxious boss who seems to delight in making your working life miserable.
But what if that person was a member of Congress?
According to an article at The Daily Caller, Texas Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee is just such an employer.
The in-depth seven-part article, entitled Congressional bosses from Hell: Sheila Jackson Lee details the horrors experienced by those who work for the Democrat.
For example, one staffer recounts constantly being called "you stupid m*****f****r."
Jonathon Strong writes:
Another Jackson Lee aide recounts the time her parents came to Washington to visit: “They were really excited to come to the congressional office. They’re small town people, so for them it was a huge deal. They were actually sitting in the main lobby waiting area….[Jackson Lee] came out screaming at me over a scheduling change. Called me a ’stupid idiot. Don’t be a moron, you foolish girl’ and actually did this in front of my parents, of all things.”
One staffer told Strong the Texas Democrat “would always say, ‘What am I a prostitute? Am I your prostitute? You can’t prostitute me.’”
At least one former staffer compared working for Jackson Lee to serving in the Iraq War. According to Strong, she "may be the worst boss in Washington." Another quit working for Jackson Lee after she threw a cell phone at him.
According to a staffer who works for another member of Congress, the sounds of crying and screaming can frequently be heard through the doors of her office.
Not only is she abusive to her employees, but she irritates those who don't work for her. According to a 1998 article at the Houston Press:
According to Lee's former Capitol office executive assistant and events scheduler Rhiannon Burruss, the congresswoman's abrasive ways not only drove off staff members but irritated Continental Airlines staffers to the point where one suggested she fly on a competitor instead.
Lee, a legend in her own mind, thinks of herself as royalty, and demands royal treatment from those around her.
"You don't understand. I am a queen, and I demand to be treated like a queen," Lee once told Burruss.
Burruss eventually tired of Lee's abuse and quit.
The Congresswoman also has no problem being rude to her constituents.
In 2009, she ignored a constituent to answer her cell phone in a town hall meeting. According to the Daily Voice:
Whether you agree or disagree about health care reform, one thing most people don't like is to be ignored while they're asking you a question.
But that seems to be what happened this week in Houston when Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) reportedly answered her cell phone as many as three different times during a town hall meeting as citizens asked questions of her.
The irony is that Jackson Lee wants people to think she cares for the average person.
-----------------------------------------------------------
If you like this article, you can follow Joe on Twitter @jnewby1956, visit his Facebook page, or click the Subscribe button to receive email updates when a new article is published.
Joe will discuss this issue - among others - with Craig Shaull at We Are America Radio Monday night at 7 pm Pacific time.
Comments