Ah, behold that most humorous of all species -- the Vacuous, Grandstanding Member of Congress.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony today before the House Budget Committee provided another insight into the deep grasp of economic policy and the details of who the Administration's major economic players are from our elected representatives, courtesy of Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), a 13-term member of the House. (via The Corner)

According the Chicago Tribune's Frank James, Rep. Kaptur asked Bernanke what he thought "of the idea that Wall Street 'bankers, [financiers] and board members' who contributed to the subprime mortgage mess be forced to 'pay back' their salaries and bonuses to help pay for the economic stimulus package being discussed in Washington."

The Tribune's James notes that Kaptur, confusing Bernanke with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, continued:

"… Seeing as how you were the former CEO of Goldman Sachs….'"

Bernanke: '"No, no, no, you're confusing me with the Treasury Secretary...''

Kaptur: ""No, I got the wrong firm?"

After an aide whispered in Kaptur's ear, presumably to tell her that Bernanke wasn't Paulson, Kaptur asked,

"Where were you, sir?"

Bernanke: "I was the CEO of the Princeton economic department."

The Trib's James notes that answer got a laugh from the crowd in the hearing room.

Kaptur: "Sorry, I got you confused with the other one. I'm sorry. Well, I'm glad you clarified that for the record."

The public record is indeed a wonderful thing, non?

Perhaps we should take Rep. Kaptur's lead and require Congressional members to pay back their salaries for the damage they do to the economy through some of their counter-productive legislation...