Time to Clean House

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Updated: Jan 18, 2006

Time to Clean House

January 11, 2006

Republicans have a problem. They are beginning to exhibit similar signs of being ethically challenged as the Democrats they replaced. The Jack Abramhoff scandal is pathetic, we are to find out how many Republicans members of Congress not only received Abramhoff money, but more importantly, how many gave him legislative favors in return. It is no crime to take campaign money from Abramhoff. It is if a member gave him something in return. This scandal could not only cost some members their jobs, it could also cost Republicans their majority.

In the aftermath of Tom Delay’s announcement he will not try to reclaim the majority leader’s office after his trial in Texas, Republicans must immediately clean the house and put new and incorruptible leadership in place.

Then Republicans need to change the rules to prevent lobbyists from offering free travel and other gifts. If a member needs to travel on official business, that member should go at taxpayer’s expense and be required to file an expense and time report upon return. If Republicans won’t fix this, they will not deserve to remain in the majority.


Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.

 

Time to Clean House