A note on corruption

[BobcatJH]

Yes, what Rep. William Jefferson did, if he's found guilty, is worthy of kicking the congressman out of office. But let's be real here, folks. Unless we're operating under a system by which the Jeffersons of the world count for 80 points while the Tom DeLays of the world count for 1 point - which people like Chris Matthews, Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity surely believe - the state of corruption in Washington is by no means even.

Should we want every trace of corruption out of politics? Yes. Do I for one second operate under the misguided assumption that Jefferson's alleged acts make up for an entire Republican culture of corruption? Of course not. And if you do, you're an idiot. Or a Republican. And lately I'm having a hard time telling those two apart.

[Ashamed_American]

1. Couldn't agree more.

We'll be seeing a lot of Jefferson on the television for a while. Though it's only news because they finally caught a Democrat with his hand in the jar.

...and yes, he should have his ass kicked out of office.


www.BlackEyedSundays.com

[BobcatJH]

2. Exactly

One equals a culture to the right.

[lwcon]

3. What are the odds against this happening in Freeperland?

That is, a quick response of "throw the bum out of office" when a Tom Delay or Duke Cunningham gets busted.

With the Repubs, it's "pass the prayer book, pass the OxyContin, and pass a new law that makes what he did legal."

Yes, we're better than them.

___

Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[BobcatJH]

4. No doubt

If they had caught the president keeping FISA in a freezer, the reaction would be far different.

[kentuck]

5. I think this would be an ideal time for a Democratic commercial...

"Yes, we have our own who cross the ethical line from time to time but we have a culture of corruption in Washington like many of us have never seen in our lifetimes. Yes, the Republicans say that "everyone does it" but no one does it at the level and extent of this Republican Party. We'll let the people decide who is corrupt and who is not but anybody with their eyes open can see what's happening in their nation's Capitol..."

[catnhatnh]

6. But MORE importantly,we must be seen to oppose....

...ANY corruption.The right will attempt to use this as a millstone tied around or neck.We must use it as a counterpoint to corruption and scream louder than the right for his removal.Our point should be that "not only is he corrupt but he is a Democrat too" and that "We don't put up with that shit-there's plenty of that without Democrats doing it"....See???

[Psephos]

7. Something that both pugs and dems do...

...is minimize or "forget" about the wrongdoers in their party.

We have some dirty laundry. It's part of the business of politics, and we can make a good impression with the electorate by not papering over our losers, but instead, getting rid of them.

In addition to Jefferson, who's on videotape accepting cash, there's Mollohan in West Virginia, whose personal wealth has reportedly grown from $565,000 to $6.3 million in four years...while he's been sitting in Congress.

Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow, and Harry Reid all have Abramoff problems. Whether they were guilty or not of ethical lapses, they certainly were guilty of poor judgment. My guess is that at least one of these three is going to have additional 'splainin to do as more evidence comes to light, and we better have our homework done ahead of the repugs.

With Hillary gearing up, a whole tidal wave of past Clinton behaviors is going to be front and center again, too.

The whole business about Schumer's aide engaged in ID theft of Michael Steele's personal and credit info is an easy target, too. She pled guilty to fraud in that case.

Let's not forget about McKinney's and Kennedy's recent lapses, either.

Corruption is not a problem of repugs or a problem of dems, it's a problem of politicians, everywhere and at all times in history. We should root these corrupt assholes out regardless of which ideology they profess. Power corrupts. It corrupts in corporations, it corrupts in democracies, it corrupts in socialist countries, it corrupts in dictatorships. It corrupts in cubicle offices and on sports teams. It's endemic to human institutions.

Our most powerful argument in the coming elections is not that Dems are corruption-free, but that repugs must be balanced and opposed in Congress lest their unopposed power leads to more corruption. Better yet, let's relegate *them* to the status of loyal opposition. :-)

There's plenty of repug dirt, and good opportunity to make use of it...if we don't overplay the hand. So stay cool, people.

Peace.