Religions > Atheism > Editorial: Timely departure A powerful US politician lowers the scandal stakes
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Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"stoney" |
| Date: |
08 Jan 2006 09:09:50 PM |
| Object: |
Editorial: Timely departure A powerful US politician lowers the scandal stakes |
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17763012%255E7583,00.html
Editorial: Timely departure
09jan06
A powerful US politician lowers the scandal stakes
MANY in the US did not think powerful legislator Tom DeLay would go so
easily. He is known as "The Hammer" for good reason. Mr DeLay has proved
to be one of the hardest-hitting conservatives in the US Congress,
dramatically boosting his party's influence and coffers and securing
major legislative victories for President George W. Bush, a fellow
Texan. Yet Mr DeLay's links to a developing Washington corruption
scandal have badly damaged his standing and made him a liability for Mr
Bush's Republicans, who are seeking to retain control of Congress in a
crucial election year. Mr Delay's weekend announcement he will
permanently quit as House of Representatives majority leader, the
party's second most influential congressional post, was the right thing
to do for his nation and party. Already a defendant over allegedly
illegal allocation of campaign funds in Texas, he had stood aside
temporarily.
The trigger for Mr DeLay's decision was last week's court appearance by
the now notorious lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty to
official corruption charges and made a deal to provide evidence that
reportedly could implicate at least 20 politicians. In one case, Mr
Abramoff allegedly provided $50,000 to the wife of a congressional staff
member in exchange for stopping a measure on internet gambling. While Mr
DeLay has not been directly implicated, fingers have been pointed at his
staff, and he has bowed to rising pressure from Republicans wanting to
limit the potential impact of the growing scandal. Democrats, who need
to pick up 15 seats to win control of the 435-member House at mid-term
elections in November, have seized on the Abramoff case to accuse
Republicans of fostering a culture of political corruption. Just last
week Mr DeLay was insisting he would soon regain his position. But he
now says that while he's done nothing wrong, he will not hang on and
allow Democrats to "divide and distract our attention".
For Republicans, it must not stop there. Whatever evidence may emerge
about Mr DeLay's behaviour, his political nous cannot be questioned. The
White House and congressional leaders such as House Speaker Dennis
Hastert -- who last week announced he was donating to charity $US69,000
received from Mr Abramoff -- need to quickly establish which members may
in trouble and cut them adrift for the party's sake. Court papers in the
Abramoff case refer to "Representative No 1", acknowledged by his lawyer
to be Republican House member Bob Ney of Ohio. But many others --
possibly including opposition Democrats -- are said to be at risk. The
objective should be to clear the way as much as possible to allow
Republicans to fight congressional elections on their strengths -- the
economy and national security. The problem is that any charges that
emerge from the Abramoff case may end up in court later this year just
as the public focuses on the elections.
More broadly, the Abramoff case shows that the American political system
is still failing to strike the difficult balance between allowing
legitimate lobbying by individuals and companies affected by federal
government decisions, and the need to ensure that politicians make those
decisions only on their merits. In Australia, opportunities to corrupt
federal politicians are much more limited because the discipline
enforced by political parties makes it extremely difficult for any
individual to change a law. In the US, the potential influence of
individual legislators is much greater, as is the cost of running a
campaign. It's clear that the rules are still too loose in a congress
satirists have long said is the best money can buy.
Perhaps more important than the rules is the example set by the
leadership of a party, especially one that claims the moral ascendancy.
Mr DeLay, a former pest exterminator and born-again Christian, has been
one of the most formidable conservative politicians in America since
Republicans won back control of the House for the first time in 40 years
back in 1994. But it was not just his sharp political mind and a
ruthlessly partisan streak that made him so effective -- there was his
ability to win influence within his party by raising money. According to
some estimates, he has directed $US4.4 million to other conservative
candidates and campaign committees since 1999. Mr DeLay has reportedly
also enjoyed three overseas trips paid for by Mr Abramoff. Now,
questions are rightly being asked about what legislators may have done
for that money. Democrats, who have also abused the system, have little
to crow about. But Republican leaders need to ask their own questions
and act quickly.
© The Australian
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a cornucopia of splinters.
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| User: "Uncle Buck" |
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| Title: Re: Editorial: Timely departure A powerful US politician lowers the scandal stakes |
10 Jan 2006 05:43:03 PM |
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On Sun, 08 Jan 2006 19:09:50 -0800, stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote:
<snip>
Mr Delay's weekend announcement he will permanently quit as House of
Representatives majority leader, the party's second most influential
congressional post, was the right thing to do for his nation and party.
Color me cynical, but all that does is make me wonder what _worse_ mischief
those diabolical bastards have up their dark-and-festering sleeves...
(Yes, cynical - and touch melodramatic - ah, well... ;-))
--
L8r,
Uncle Buck
aa#88
BAAWA Knight
"The gap betwixt civility and barbarism is the width of a tooth."
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: Editorial: Timely departure A powerful US politician lowers the scandal stakes |
11 Jan 2006 01:09:04 PM |
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On Tue, 10 Jan 2006 18:43:03 -0500, Uncle Buck <UncleBuck@SpamMeNot.com>
wrote in alt.atheism
On Sun, 08 Jan 2006 19:09:50 -0800, stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote:
<snip>
Mr Delay's weekend announcement he will permanently quit as House of
Representatives majority leader, the party's second most influential
congressional post, was the right thing to do for his nation and party.
Color me cynical, but all that does is make me wonder what _worse_ mischief
those diabolical bastards have up their dark-and-festering sleeves...
Mega.
(Yes, cynical - and touch melodramatic - ah, well... ;-))
The cynicism is well justified.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a cornucopia of splinters.
.
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