Members of Congress Must Be Held to Higher Standards

Members of congress represent not only their constituents, but collectively the nation as a whole. They are endowed with powerful rights and responsibilities, in turn, their conduct and actions should reflect this high position of authority. Of late, the behavioral standards have plummeted to a level below those expected in a 5th grade classroom. Self-regulation and a mere Code of Conduct have proven to be ineffective.
The incessant lying and complete disregard of facts are destructive to this country and must be stopped. Outrageous behavior such as that of Joe Wilson R-SC, screaming "You Lie!" to President Obama during a formal Congressional Address, cannot be tolerated. At the very least it should have resulted in an immediate expulsion from congress and a forfeiture of that seat until the following election. Externally monitored, definitive, enforceable consequences must be established if there is ever to be any serious accountability.