Ivins: "Without DeLay, Has the GOP Lost its Moral Compass? "

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0620-20.htm

Published on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 by TruthDig
Without DeLay, Has the GOP Lost its Moral Compass?
by Molly Ivins

Gee, the Republicans seem to have lost their moral compass since Tom DeLay quit. Who knew it could get worse without that pillar of rectitude from Texas? What a snakes’ nest of corruption and nastiness.

The latest involves Speaker Denny Hastert and a land deal.

Hastert had sold to a developer a 69-acre portion of a 195-acre farm that had been purchased in his wife’s name. The developer also purchased an adjacent plot of roughly equal size owned in trust by Hastert and two of his “longtime supporters.” The area west of Chicago is growing madly, and Hastert—through an earmark appropriation process—dedicated $207 million in taxpayer dollars as the first appropriation on the Prairie Parkway, which will run 5.5 miles from the Hastert land. Went through in the fall of 2005. Three months later, Hastert and his partners sold the land for a $3-million total profit, $1.8 million to Hastert.

In a staggering display of brass-faced gall, Hastert is now claiming a freeway running 5.5 miles from his land is not close enough to affect the price of the farm. Then what did the developer pay the extra $3 million for? Hastert is said to be furious with the Sunlight Foundation, which broke the story, and the Chicago newspapers, which pounced on it gleefully. This is what I don’t get about Republicans. Apparently they think they are genuinely entitled to get these special deals.

Also making news is California Rep. Jerry Lewis, who is in deep with a lobbying firm that is El Stinko. This wouldn’t matter so much if Lewis were just another congressman, but he is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, the one that hands out the money. Lewis’ family and friends have profited nicely from contractors and lobbyists who court his favor. Such cozy arrangements.


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DeLay and Moral Compass in the same sentence!! OMFG!

It just points South instead of North.

Besides, Hastert probably lost money on it, and it was how long ago? Who could possibly make anything out of that?

but I opted for my man Robert Reich instead:
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0620-31.htm

That story about Hastert blows my mind. They guy is 64 years old and must already be a millionaire. Why does he feel the need to scam another 1.8 million? For his kids? For his friends? Does he owe somebody? Or is it just because he can? Heck, the guy could probably get a book deal for $2 million without even needing to be able to write. For example, when Terry Branstead stepped down as Governor of Iowa he was immediately paid $50,000 to teach one class. Pretty easy money is available to these people 'legitimately', not to mention his pension, so I just do not get it. Maybe he's been doing it for years without getting caught and it's an old habit.