Bribery Over the Medicare Bill? (letter to Washington Post)

[Eric J in MN]

Bribery Over the Medicare Bill?

Letter to Washington Post

Friday, December 5, 2003; Page A30

I am concerned by the claim in Robert D. Novak's Nov. 27 op-ed column, "Hammering Republicans," that Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) was offered $100,000 in campaign financing for his son's election campaign in exchange for his vote in favor of the Medicare bill. Mr. Novak also alleged that Mr. Smith was threatened with retaliation against his son.

Although Mr. Smith rejected the entreaties and threats, the column suggested that powerful interests are brazenly offering bribes on the floor of our most representative body, where the people's will is supposed to be paramount. The House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct should investigate these allegations and, if needed, widen the search to determine if other illegal offers or threats were used to advance this legislation. Mr. Smith should be required to testify under oath regarding who offered this bribe and who made the threats.

If Mr. Novak's claims are true, the Republicans may have hammered not only Mr. Smith, but all citizens who continue to have trust and faith in the democratic process.

MARTIN GUTSTEIN

Silver Spring

[ewagner]

1. good letter

....but....

the House is controlled by the repubs.

the Senate is controlled by the repubs.

the Justice Dept is controlled by the repubs.

It adds up to ZERO

[Snellius]

2. Good article in Slate: "Who Tried To Bribe Rep. Smith?"

http://slate.msn.com/id/2091787/