Our Congressman Frank Guinta, the freshman Republican from Manchester, headed into his summer vacation last week on a low note. On Thursday, Aug. 2, Guinta published a lengthy opinion piece in Foster’s Daily Democrat about how important it was for Congress not to adjourn on its summer recess, but to stay in Washington, D.C., until it had resolved the very serious challenges it faces.

It was a refreshing sentiment, in theory. But, in practice, Guinta voted that very same day to leave Washington immediately for a month-long summer break. People were probably reading his tough words about staying even as he voted to bolt.

In the Foster’s piece, Guinta accused Congress of “kicking the can” on important issues like extending tax breaks set to expire this year, and addressing the mandatory budget cuts that threaten to reduce defense spending (he could have added passing the farm bill, overhauling the postal service, and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act to that list). Let’s revisit some of what Guinta had to say:

“There is simply no justification for putting off these pressing problems until the closing days of 2012. What city or town would conduct its affairs that way? What small business would delay taking action until it couldn’t wait any longer? It just wouldn’t make sense. So why should Congress be allowed to act differently?”

He wasn’t finished. Read on:

“(B)ecause of the serious fiscal issues heading our way, Washington should not take a break because of an election. It should start tackling these problems right now. You don’t take time off in the face of a crisis. You don’t take a breather when so many challenges are lurking right around the corner.”

To that we say, “Bravo, Congressman.”

But then Guinta voted to go straight home, to which we say, “Seriously?”

Guinta was joined in his vote by 149 other House Republicans, including New Hampshire’s Charlie Bass. But 78 other Republicans and all 187 Democrats voted against the adjournment resolution. Congress will continue holding a short session every three days until the full House reconvenes on the week of Sept. 10. 

The campaign of Guinta’s presumptive Democratic opponent in the November election, former Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter of Rochester, was quick to highlight Guinta’s say-this-but-do-that moment as the latest blooper of his first term. Indeed, Guinta has demonstrated an astounding level of hypocrisy throughout the last year and a half. Since the 2012 election is approaching, let’s recap.

Back in April, reports emerged that Guinta had spent more on tax-funded “franked” mailings in 2011 than any other member of Congress. The year before, in 2010, Guinta had heavily criticized Shea-Porter for her use of such mailings.

In late June, Guinta’s campaign sent out a fundraising e-mail in which he warned that a Super PAC from California was spending money attacking him on Shea-Porter’s behalf. In response, Shea-Porter urged Guinta to co-sign a statement with her asking Super PACs to stay out of their race. He refused.   

In July, Guinta’s campaign robo-called voters with a recording in which he said, “Hi, this is Frank Guinta, candidate for Congress, running against Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter. I’m running to end the broken culture of Washington.” He also paid for ads urging voters to “replace” and “retire” Shea-Porter. The language makes it sound as if Shea-Porter is a current member of Congress and Guinta is not, which, of course, is the exact opposite of the truth. Guinta knows public approval for Congress is at historic lows, so he figures it’s best not to identify himself as a member.

It’s become increasingly apparent that truth and honesty just don’t factor into Frank Guinta’s agenda. But it’s especially staggering to think he would put so much fire into his phony tirade about “kicking the can,” only to vote to give himself a vacation the very same day. He must think his constituents are suckers. The mailings, the Super PACs, the robo-calls—it’s hard to believe these are anything other than deliberate acts of deception aimed at the very people who elected Guinta to serve them.

The vast majority of adults in our country don’t get a month-long summer vacation, at all. That is, unless you count the 12.8 million people who don’t have jobs. But don’t worry about them, Frank. Enjoy your time off.