Boot DeLay, replace him with Hefley (Schoettler in Denver Post)

[struggle4progress]

By Gail Schoettler

The case of two congressmen illuminates the battle against corruption in Congress. Colorado Congressman Joel Hefley of Colorado Springs, a religious, conservative Republican, is one of the most ethical politicians I have known, calm and incorruptible. U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, also a Republican, is renowned for his ethical lapses, his huge ego and his bullying. The two congressmen clashed over a House ethics committee investigation of DeLay conducted while Hefley chaired the committee.

Under Hefley's leadership, the bipartisan committee, comprised of equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats, admonished DeLay three times for unethical behavior. In response, the House GOP leadership replaced Hefley and his Republican colleagues on the ethics committee with DeLay's own pals, several of whom had even contributed to his defense fund. Next, they changed the committee's rules to make it virtually impossible to investigate anyone. <snip>

DeLay is known for his outrageously expensive golf junkets paid for by lobbyists, indicted cronies and ruthless tactics. He admitted, under oath, to trading his Republican primary support for the son of a congressman for that congressman's vote on a prescription drug bill. He paid his wife and daughter $500,000 out of his campaign funds. He perhaps illegally abused his power by sending federal agents after Texas Democrats who fled the state to stop his congressional gerrymandering plan. He's being investigated by a Texas grand jury, while several of his friends have already been indicted. <snip>

All this, of course, takes place as DeLay touts his religious values and deep faith in God. DeLay led Congress to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case. When even conservative judges appointed by Republicans turned him down, he shrieked vengeance against the judiciary. He has blamed the teaching of evolution for school shootings. His pastor was his chief of staff, and conducted morning prayer sessions in DeLay's office. Somehow, he does not seem to think that the religious values he espouses extend to his own behavior. <snip>

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~193~2829233,00.html

[MissMarple]

1. Gail's good. And Delay's is a piece of moldy toast.

Changing out Delay for Hefley. Too funny. Even though he supports school employees and students leading all our children in prayer, one must admit Joel Hefley does have integrity. Now, if he could just broaden his perspective a bit and include all religions and belief systems in the public square, it would be ever so much better.