http://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS...ict/index.html

Is it just me, or does it seem like stepping down in disgrace is just another step in the political process anymore, at least in America? Is this more and more commonplace occurence because more politicians are doing bad things, because you have to break the rules to get ahead in politics, or because political opponents are digging harder than ever to find or create dirt? What are your thoughts on this?

Because they are finally answering to the people.

Politicians cannot go one thinking that they are above the people. It is us who vote them into power and it is us who can vote them out of power. Ah yes, there is a reason in voting. Anyways, politicians must be reminded why they were elected in the first place. If someone is going to serve him or her self, give em the boot. Give us someone who will serve the people...if anyone can describe someone using my last sentence, please let me know who that person is.

If one person goes down in a scandle so others will stay in line, so be it. For every end, there is a begining.

You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. - Abraham Lincoln

That's what it boils down to. Today's information age makes it just that much harder for those who would hoodwink us to do so.

I've read some of the American political pamplets from the 1800's and some of the stuff/rumours/slander thrown at the likes of Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, A. Johnson, Grant, Cleveland, were all far more worse than the politics of personal destruction today aimed against Clinton and now Bush jnr (which I believe is bad too). It hasn't got worse - it is just the same as it's ever been but maybe broadcasted quicker and wider due to television, cell phones and internet.

Originally Posted by Padre

I've read some of the American political pamplets from the 1800's and some of the stuff/rumours/slander thrown at the likes of Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, A. Johnson, Grant, Cleveland, were all far more worse than the politics of personal destruction today aimed against Clinton and now Bush jnr (which I believe is bad too). It hasn't got worse - it is just the same as it's ever been but maybe broadcasted quicker and wider due to television, cell phones and internet.

In the early 1800's pamplets and news papers were not like they are today. There was no line between opinion and the news back then. Everyone had a political ajenda and used any means neccessary to bash "the other guy." Actually, if you read some of the stuff said back then, the content of those publications are way worse. However, the technology today allows one hothead to be heard by all.

It's a game of "gotcha" and all politicians play it. Most of them have stuck their finger in the pie and are vulnerable.

It is crucial in this type of situation that judges are ok guys. Judges must then really be fair, free, correct and impartial. We didn't have that luck overhere.

From what I have heard, the charges are vague and have no connection to DeLay.

I think The GOP, Congress, and America as a whole would be better off without Mr. Delay. Its true lots of politicans on both sides have sticky or dirty fingers but Delay has a long habit of pushing the ethics line. For example using the FCC to spy on political opponents, bribing a senator by offering to pay for his sons campaign if he voted a certain way on a bill and the entire Texas redistrictring scheme are all signs of total disregard for the rules of Congress and our system of government as a whole. Two of these episodes earned him a sanction by congress. How many more 'incidents' are we going to let slide?

Put aside party loyality or ideology for a sec. Do we really want somebody with this kind of reputation in our government? The last guy like this was Gary Condit, and thankfully California was wise enough to dump him.

Originally Posted by mmarsh

I think The GOP, Congress, and America as a whole would be better off without Mr. Delay. Its true lots of politicans on both sides have sticky or dirty fingers but Delay has a long habit of pushing the ethics line. For example using the FCC to spy on political opponents, bribing a senator by offering to pay for his sons campaign if he voted a certain way on a bill and the entire Texas redistrictring scheme are all signs of total disregard for the rules of Congress and our system of government as a whole. Two of these episodes earned him a sanction by congress. How many more 'incidents' are we going to let slide?

Put aside party loyality or ideology for a sec. Do we really want somebody with this kind of reputation in our government? The last guy like this was Gary Condit, and thankfully California was wise enough to dump him.

I guess I missed out on most of these bribes and redistricting schemes. Were any of them against House Rules or the law?

If he's guilty of all that, he shouldn't even be in Congress at all. Where did you find all this?