Corruption: One Small Recommendation

There is rampant corruption in American politics.

And clearly there are problems with money and politicians -- with both the Dems and the GOP. The corruption is endemic on both sides of the aisle and no one party can claim it's impervious to the corruptive forces of cash or cash and lobbyists.

There are two types of corruption: there is moral corruption and there is financial corruption. Despite the FACT that Foley committed no crime (unlike Democratic Senator Gerry Studds) he is excoriated in the DEM press and is the Devil incarnate -- and has been for weeks, I might add.

On the other hand, following his passing on October 14th, former House Democratic leader Gerry Studds was lionized in his New York Times obituary as a "Gay Pioneer." Equitable, do you think?

Studds was censured in 1983 for having sex with a 17-year-old male congressional intern. His act was overt and illegal. Studd's himself called the act a "very serious error in judgment."

Foley's act was with text messages to a former page over 18 -- scummy, inappropriate and clearly wrong in any case -- but Foley did not have sex with him, consensual or otherwise. With the name Foley I see the linked adjective "disgraced." I did not then nor now see that word associated with Studds.

Both the acts on Studds's and Foley's part were horribly wrong; Foley may be but Studds was a sexual predator. But you already know my point.

Moral corruption aside, another current point purposely underplayed by the DEM are the fiscally-corruptive issues of Democrat Harry Reid --regarding properties and Christmas bonuses. A screaming silence here.

But all is not lost for I have two solutions; the first is simple, expeditious and can be backed with a second suggestion which will mandate (and here's why the DEM won't go for it) that the Mainstream Media "put up or shut up."

First:

Limit all campaign contributions to no more that $100. Period. End of statement. No contributions can be accepted from corporations. Individual living persons only. If you truly do have a "mandate from the people" then the people shall speak with their individual pocketbooks and their votes.

Second:

The Mainstream Media will provide, for television, airtime on their channels for individual candidates' political statments and debates; this airtime will be credited towards television's federal PSA (Public Service Announcement) licensed mandate. For the print media, they shall provide column inches, as another public service to the country and community, for same.

You, of course, realize that neither shall happen. Just wistful thinking.

But wouldn't it be wonderful? And wouldn't it solve an entire host of issues?

Heavy sigh.

BZ