We had the opportunity to visit the state Capitol this week with the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Rockdale class and had the grand experience of sitting in the Senate Chamber as we listened to our local senator Ronald Ramsey tell us about all the good he is doing for us.

As we sat, we couldn't help but notice the number of gifts on the desks we of our legislators. There was a ball hat, jars of red and white candy, and an invitation. We suspect that such goodies are left every day for our lawmakers.

According to a recent Page 1 story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, this is just a tip of the iceberg. Our legislators are treated each day to free meals and snacks, bars, and special trips where whole families are accommodated.

The lavishness poured on legislators in order to curry favors and votes is disgraceful.

If legislators care about being honorable, they would set up a program in which they would donate such gifts to a charity of their choice.