Politics, shame & the truth

[mhr]

Politics, shame & the truth
By DOUG THOMPSON
Dec 18, 2005, 05:44

From 1981 until 1987, while on sabbatical from journalism, I worked for Republican members of Congress and for the GOP in various political roles.

For too long, I rationalized my work in politics as a learning experience, a way to find out how politics works from the inside. I attempted to ease my conscience with the knowledge that although I cashed paychecks from Republicans, I never, in fact, was one. I never registered as a Republican, seldom voted for Republicans and maintained – as I always have – an independent voter status.

I stayed in politics for another five years after leaving the Republicans, running the political action committee (PAC) and other political programs for the National Association of Realtors, rationalizing my independence once again by helping both Democrats and Republicans with huge campaign donations, independent expenditure efforts and other assistance both on and off the books.

By 1992, however, the putrid stench of politics became too much and I walked away.

I walked away but the damage that I, and others like me, have done to this country lives on. Too many of the Republicans that I helped put into office are still there, wreaking havoc on the Constitution, abandoning the principles of liberty and advancing the erosion of freedom in this country.

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http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_7841.shtml