GOOD FOR THE GOOSE, GOOD FOR THE GANDER... HARRY REID NEEDS TO SUPPORT REAL ETHICS REFORM, NOT LOOK FOR LOOPHOLES FOR CROOKED DEMOCRATS

Tom DeLay's women, John Doolittle's wife, Roy Blunt's mistress, Curt Weldon's daughter all have something in common. Last year they became postergals for massive congressional corruption. The Democrats campaigned against this kind of corruption "but the ethics package the House approved earlier this month didn't address the issue" of congressional spouses using congressional access to enrich the family. "Last week, however, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) proposed banning spouses of senators-- doesn't mention other relatives or even House members-- from lobbying any part of the chamber. The lone exception is for spouses who were lobbying at least one year before their husband or wife was elected." Vitter may soon be indicted for his own Abramoff-connected corruption-- which had nothing to do with his wife-- but that doesn't make his proposal any less valid.

Democrats (including Majority Leader Reid) are looking for ways to weasel out of it. Reid doesn't want the legislation to effect current members and their spouses. It's disheartening, if not revolting, to see Reid and the Democrats, not even one month into power, already playing defense on ethics questions. Reid, no doubt, wants to protect the interests of his deputy Dick Durbin, whose wife is a lobbyist, as well as Democratic senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan. It was wrong for Republicans and it's wrong for Democrats.


UPDATE: DON'T FORGET CONGRESSIONAL SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

If Democrats decide to get tough with lobbyist spouses and congressional mistresses and congressional spawn, it is also important that they include "significant others." David Dreier (R-CA), for example, is a closeted gay congressman whose lover is also his highly paid chief of staff and there is no reason to prohibit John Doolittle's trashy 15% wife from collecting funds for their household but to exempt Dreier's lover just because he's gay. Enough of preferential treatment for gay people! Haven't straight criminals like John Doolittle, Tom DeLay, Roy Blunt, etc. suffered enough while gay crooked Republicans do whatever they want? There should be equality for all Republican crooks regardless of sexual orientation.