K Street corruption (Should be titled "GOP Corruption")

[UpInArms]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.scanlon26nov26,1,5751284.story?coll=bal-opinion-headlines

excerpt:

But Mr. Scanlon, now 35, apparently was missing something: a moral compass that might have helped him better navigate an environment that fostered personal corruption.

<snip>

Shortly after their takeover, Republicans installed reforms designed to minimize the power of individual lawmakers but they established party rule so strong Democrats were all but shut out.

Soon, the control of House and Senate and subsidiary agencies wasn't enough. Tom DeLay, the Texas Republican who was then House Majority Whip, launched the "K Street project" to strengthen ties between the GOP-led Congress and high-dollar lobbyists, many of whom ply their trade from plush offices on that downtown Washington thoroughfare. Access to key lawmakers was granted only to those lobbying firms and trade associations that put Republicans in the top jobs.

The implicit message of quid pro quo could hardly have been more brazen.

<snip>

Team DeLay played the game ruthlessly, first pushing then Democratic President Bill Clinton to the brink of ouster by impeachment.

...more...

[AuntiBush]

1. Glad to see the Baltimore Sun reporting on this issue.

Hope it's in the hand-prints, not just on the internet.