Opaque Lucidity

Off To Starboard

Another controversy is brewing in DC tonight: the guilty plea of Jack Abramoff, a lobbyist who did things the old-fashioned way: he offered stuff to politicians in exchange for votes on topics of interest for him. While this has been going on since the days of Washington and Jefferson, it is illegal, and should remain such. But between now and the weekend, this story will begin to carry the weight of an act of genocide.

If you think I'm exaggerating, consider this:

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Abramoff's confession in court was "not a surprise because this Republican Congress is the most corrupt in history and the American people are paying the price."

If a Republican were to make the same blanket accusation against any SINGLE Democrat, he would be lambasted as a reckless criminal by the mainstream media. But Nancy Pelosi, who is America's proof that even someone lacking the mental capacity of a snail can get elected to Congress, will never be called down for her assertion and will even be lauded in some circles.

The fact is that all politicians of every stripe spend a large percentage of their time trying to raise money for the next campaign. It's time to do away with laws that do nothing but make it difficult for anyone who's not well-connected to gain office. Anyone, anywhere should be able to give any amount of money to anyone running for public office. All of these donations should be a matter of public record. Anything less creates a situation like the one we saw in 2004: millionaires and billionaires like George Soros hid behind the loopholed 527 committees while you and I are limited to giving $2000.

While those on the Left scoff at the idea, money IS free speech and we should be able to choose how to spend it.