[Previous entry: "U.S. News, 16 January 2006, Letters Rebuttals"] [Next entry: "New Blog Link"]
01/17/2006: "Cheese it, it's the cops!"
What's on the box: Some song from THUG2
The Washington Post website has an AP article, titled House Republicans Unveil New Ethics Plan, that is full of political gems.
First of all, I really like how the Republicans have stepped forward and decided to change a system that was working great until so many of them got caught. It really instills a true sense of patriotism when you can look to our leaders and know, in no uncertain terms, that they would not have accepted unethical gifts if they knew there was any chance of those gifts coming to light.
I also like how the Democrats have embraced the proposed changes by standing up and proposing changes of their own. Not only does it show that they can be magnanimous when it's not them getting caught in scandal, but it gives a great example of the old adage, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." I mean, why bother coming up with new ideas, when you can just get a copy of an existing proposal and change the names at the top? This works especially well if there are any other loopholes that you want to make sure stay open.
I am in a bit of a quandary here. Politically, I identify myself as a centrist, but I am a registered Republican. The really strange part, though, is that while I think that Congress is about as useful as a pants are to a dog, I also don't think that local politics really matter in a lot of things. Basically, I just wish that everyone would stop caring so much and start thinking a little more.
What does this have to do with the article? Well, unlike many of my posts, there is a relationship. Remember that 15-20 years ago, it was the Democrats who were caught with their hands in the cokie jar. What happened then? A few of them resigned (or just didn't run again), some were ousted in the next election, and everyone in Congress got together and said that it would be great if we could change things so it wouldn't happen again.
So new regulations were put into place to stop what was going on, but without touching all of the other ways that our elected officials could get something for nothing, besides their salary, I mean. And I predict that there will be another tightening of the rules and that a few more Republicans will leave with their tails between their legs and possibly the Democrats will take back the House and Senate this fall, but essentially nothing will change. Just like for the last 200 years.
I really try not to be pessimistic about our legislature, but it's a little difficult when they give me so many reasons not to trust them or even care what they think. And, anyway, what happens when I get elected to Congress? 
Will there be any more pieces of that lobbyist pie for me? 
