US Senators are like dinosaurs.

My family been paying pretty close attention to the Financial Reform Bill, which was passed by the Senate tonight. We’re paying attention for lots of reasons, but chiefly because of Senator Tom Harkin’s amendment to the bill that would cap ATM fees at 50 cents. He got something similar passed in Iowa. This amendment didn’t make it into the final bill, but Harkin sounds like he’s going to try to slip it in somewhere else instead.

My brother recently purchased a business that deals with ATMs*. Whereas I understand that the fees are sometimes high, it’s not like one company is taking all the money. Everyone has their hands in these fees, including the ATM owner, Bar/Restaurant owner the ATM is in, and the company that handles the transaction. If ATM operators had to cap ATM fees at 50 cents, most of them would lose money or have to close their businesses altogether. In a time of economic crisis, I don’t personally think that it’s a good idea to close any businesses, especially those who provide a service to consumers (albeit at a small fee, especially if you take out more than $20).

Which brings me to my point of this. Nebraska’s Democratic Senator Ben Nelson has never used an ATM. So he’s voting on an aspect of a bill where he literally has no experience! While nobody can truly be versed on everything, ATMs are a basic part of life for probably 90% of Americans. I’m sure Sen. Nelson isn’t the only one, I mean even George Bush (Sr.) was AMAZED when seeing a supermarket scanner. In 1992.

I want representatives who I can identify with and who will represent the values that me and my friends have. It’s about time that some of the older guard in the House & Senate step away from their responsibilities to make room for people who better represent their constituents. I respect their contributions to society. It’s just time for some people to move on. To golf courses, private yachts, and a beach house in Bermuda.

• “ATM Machines” is redundant, people.

P.S.: It has been a while since I have posted. I’m working on my SXSW recap and it’s close to being ready, but I am going to try to start writing more regularly. I have a lot to say, and this is my platform to say it. I plan on keeping things relatively short, but not everything fits into a tweet. And this way, I am keeping track of my own thoughts on my own server on my own blog.)