Was just messing around the internet, bumped into some stuff I just thought I'd throw on the board. Maybe it's not worth anything to you, but from my perspective it is. It reminds me that both parties are corrupt. And I think that is something we all should remember. But I actually submitted this post as a form of comedic relief, pay attention to the lame excuses and don't worry about party affiliation, thats how you should read this.

The Honorable Tom DeLay: "What we are fighting is so much larger than a single court case or a single district attorney in Travis County," Delay said, in a letter sent to constituents. "We are witnessing the criminalization of conservative politics." Jury is still out.

The Honorable Daniel Flood: "I am certain that these charges will be proven false, charges made by desperate men under pressure." Eventually resigned and pleaded guilty.

The Honorable Dan Rostenkowski: "I did not commit any crimes. My consciences is clear and my 42-year record as an elected official is one I am proud to once again run on." Fifteen months in the federal pen.

The Honorable Nick Mavroules: "I've been in public office for 30 years and I can say I have never taken a bribe, requested one, extorted or been involved in racketeering." Fifteen months in a minimum security prison.

The Honorable Jim Bates: "I think I made a mistake. I didn't really know what sexual harassment was." Bates further contended he was the target of a "Republican Party-orchestrated smear campaign." Sent letter of Reproval by House Ethics Committee to stop harassing women employees.

The Honorable Allen Howe: I was a "victim of a setup or trap by vindictive and politically motivated people who wanted to sabotage my re-election or ruin me personally." Found guilty of soliciting sex from undercover policewomen.

The Honorable Wes Cooley: "I don't admit I made a false statement . . . A lot of people get convicted who don't do anything wrong." Found guilty, 100 hours community service and $7,100 fine.

The Honorable Richard Tonry: "These charges were nothing more than an attempt to smear me. If they can't unseat me, they are going to try to smear me so I can't be re-elected." Sentenced to one year in federal penitentiary, and $10,000 fine.

The Honorable Frederick Richmond: "I don't feel one ounce of embarrassment. I'm not ashamed of anything I've done. I've done nothing wrong." Sentenced to one year and a day; $20,000 fine.

The Honorable Buz Lukens: "I said, 'Hey, I'm not going to pay any money. Nothing happened.'" "I was set up." 30 days in jail; $500 fine.

The Honorable John Young: Being accused of linking his secretary's salary to sex: "I'd deny it if it were true, but the fact is, I didn't." Ethics Committee required a letter of apology.

The Honorable Robert Torricelli: "I am a human being. And while I have not done the things that I have been accused of doing, I most certainly made mistakes. When did we become such an unforgiving people?" Bailed out of campaign 5 weeks before election day.

The Honorable Brock Adams: The charges of sexual harassment and molestation are "politically inspired" and "created out of whole cloth by people who hated me." Dropped out of race after 8 other women independently made similar charges.

The Honorable Bob Packwood: "On the women . . . I am accused of kissing women, on occasion perhaps overeagerly kissing women, and that is the charge. Not drugging. Not robbing. Kissing." The Senate Ethics Committee recommended expulsion; Packwood opted to resign.

The Honorable Mario Biaggi: "I haven't fallen. I've been smitten, but I haven't fallen. I don't believe in my heart I've done anything wrong." Sentenced to 2-1/2 years and $500,000 fine.

The Honorable Walter Tucker, III: "How dare they say I betrayed my trust of the people," he said. Sentenced to 27 months.

The Honorable Mary Rose Oakar: "There's no substance to these false charges. This is selective prosecution, in my judgment. They, of course, wanted me to plea bargain and admit to things I didn't do. I can't do that." She could have received one year in prison and up to $500,000 fine, but she plea bargained, got two years probation and $32,000 in fines.

The Honorable Charles H. Wilson (California): "A majority of my colleagues in the House of Representatives chose to ignore the facts of my case," he said. Censured by the House, 308-97.

Ahhh, the good ole days....

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.



Power also seems to be a bit of an aphrodisiac........

Captain, this just goes to show and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that neither major party can ever legitimately claim the moral high ground. Ever.

In normal years, 5 to 10 percent of each major party will display criminal coruption. However over the last 10 or 12 years, the Republican party has shown increased coruption to the point it about 75 to 80 percent corupt right now. When the Dems take the house, Diebold notwithstanding in November there will be investigations to where at least some of the truth will come out. I have a feeling before the Abramhoff scandel get done there may be as many as 20 Republican congressmen indited. And that will only be the 10 percent of who was actually guilty, JMHO. The rest will have covered their tracks. Anyway, waiting with the beer and popcorn on the couch for the big show of all the lemmings as the follow each other off the cliff.

Curtis

Yes, my point is both parties have their fair share of bad boys. Currently, the Republicans do hold the lead which makes me wonder; is the party that holds the majority more prone to corruption? Makes sense doesn't it? Maybe I'll make that my next mini research topic.

It is hard to find another time in American History when the corruption was more rampant, more pervasive, and more deliberate than is the case today with the Neo-con dominated, fundi influenced Republican party of today, which also is the party in control.

Yes, even the Democrats will eventually fall prey to it's own excesses and privelage, but, today the problem is the Republicans.

Besides, I really doubt ANY political affiliation will be as bad as this bunch has been for maybe a hundred years or more. This does NOT justify or relieve the Democrats from future responsibility. It does however give some measure to just how bad things are right now.

At no other time in the history of the United States has the very basis of this government, that being the Constitution and it's ammendments, been more consistantly and effectively under attack by the very government it was written to govern.




In other words, when you say the Democrats and the Republicans are all the same, that they're all just plain bad, you're being deliberately ignorant, and just plain wrong! No one would ever claim that the Democrats are always squeeky clean, but I for one would say that by comparrison, they're always cleaner.

Sky: "In other words, when you say the Democrats and the Republicans are all the same, that they're all just plain bad, you're being deliberately ignorant, and just plain wrong! No one would ever claim that the Democrats are always squeeky clean, but I for one would say that by comparrison, they're always cleaner."

Well, just what is it you think I am saying sky? Sheeeesh man. Beleive what you want, it doesn't matter to me dude. I say both parties have their share of bad boys, and that has to degenerate into an argument? Gimme a break.

You said this....




Though understand, you aren't the only person reading this, and absolutely not the only person attempting to level out an uneven playing field.


Their are considerable differances built into these two political parties,
and some of these differances bore right into the core of basic psychology.

They can't be the same.
How they think is different, how they view the world around them is different,
and most important, how they work and interact with the world around them is different.


The elected members of these parties don't always strictly serve the wishes of the people that elect them.
This is true for all people on both sides. However, because of the fundimental differances in the people, both elected and the electorate, basic differances do and will continue to exist. It is this differance that is SUPPOSED to be part of a healthy discussion. This discussion, such as it is, has been circumvented by the Neo-con dominated, fundi influenced Republican party. In other words, they attempted to take power, then change the rules to maintain power and eliminate the people all together, "for the good of the people". Generally, Conservative thinking allows and welcomes this "big daddy" type of control, while Progressives have the short hairs on the backs of their neck stand up as it scares the absolute crap outta us!