A West Texas member of Congress has done something I didn’t think was possible. He has shamed himself while seeking to shame another government employee.

U.S Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, confronted a U.S. Parks Department employee today and told her she should be ashamed of herself for enforcing a rule handed down by Neugebauer and his congressional colleagues.

http://gawker.com/gop-congressman-makes-park-ranger-apologize-for-shutdow-1440577868

This demonstration of unbridled arrogance illustrates graphically the idiocy of what’s happening at this very moment in Washington, D.C.

Neugebauer, who represents the sprawling 19th District of West Texas, has been in Congress for a little while. He succeeded Larry Combest in the House after Combest resigned suddenly in early 2003. Neugebauer then sought a full term in a newly redrawn district against another West Texas stalwart, conservative Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm. Neugebauer won, thanks to the way the newly configured district was redrawn to favor the Republican.

Now he’s seeking to become a tea party darling. He’s been voting against funds for the Affordable Care Act and demands that it be repealed. His actions, along with many in the House, have helped create the situation that has brought us the government shutdown.

The Park Service is one of the agencies that’s been closed. The shutdown has forced park rangers to enforce a rule that prevents tourists from enjoying the parks.

And so Neugebauer confronts a park ranger and tells her she should be ashamed because she was doing the job she was ordered to do?

He has shamed himself.