In a way, Tom DeLay's resignation helps to prove that any person, no matter how powerful, can be taken down if citizens decide to rise up and demand that they represent the interests of their consituents and work to improve the lives of those they serve. Unfortunately, many politicians in DC have forgotten who they work for - they allow money, special interests and extreme partisanship to govern their decisions and our nation pays a very steep price because of it.
Tom Delay had become an icon for what is broken in our politics - extensive corruption, ethics violations and bitter partisan activism that hurt America and her people. Many of DeLay's Republican colleagues circled the wagons to defend him. They supported a rule to ensure that even after indictment he would not have to step down. They de-clawed the ethics committee - just when it should have been strongest - to make sure he would not be penalized. Regular citizens said enough is enough, and I credit their passion and voices for Delay's realizing that seeking re-election would be futile.
There is plenty of blame to go around on both sides of the aisle. Too many Democrats have turned Rep. Tom DeLay into just another platitude in their partisan attacks. True, Tom DeLay and his allies should be judged at the ballot box in the upcoming elections, but we must do more than score political victories. Even in the light of this scandal both parties have refused to stand up and call for real ethics and campaign-finance reform. This is no time for end-zone dances - there is too much work to be done.
Justice Brandeis once remarked that "sunlight is the greatest disinfectant," so let's use this opportunity to push our leaders and each other into a real discussion on not just DeLay's corruption, but a system and culture that allowed it to happen.
Check out my columns and editorials on these issues, which as you can see have been troubling me for quite some time. Talk is cheap, though, so if you are pressed for time skip my thoughts on the issue and find out what you can do right now to take action. From writing your representatives to volunteering in your community to letting your newspapers know you care about these issues and want to read more about them in their pages, you will find lots to do. For me, at least, the point is to turn an event that could breed cynicism and dissapointment into one that empowers me to realize that I need to hunt for citizens and the citizen within myself who find out how your leaders voted on these issues, see what legislation is currently out there with respect to them, follow the campaign money trail, and learn about groups who are working to combat the cancer of corruption that is eating away at the very fabric of our democracy.
Use the comments to tell me what you did and how it went, and if there are other ways citizen hutners should take action on these very important issues.
Comments (8)
A couple of good things happened for the world recently.
Slobadan Milosevic died and Rep. Delay resigned.
Seems distant in relation, but not really.
Both were decent at fostering hate and discontent. Neither really solved much. Both created conflict.
Posted by: jimbolio on April 4, 2006 21:44
Tom DeLay, former rat poison peddler. Member of the House --the body that represents the regular guy. Tom DeLay - a Regular Guy?
I don't think so.
He couldn't shine the shoes of regular guys like Cpl Rodriguez who was KIA in Iraq or the Marines of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. In an interview designed to spin his resignation in a contentious election season, he showed his true colors.
Asked if he did anything illegal, he said "No". When asked if he did anything unethical, again he spoke "No". When asked if he did anything "immoral", his answer: "No", then changing it to: "We're all sinners."
Regular guys acknowledge as much, but then they also know the age-old Regular Guy axiom:
"Actions speak louder than words."
We hear you Mr. DeLay, but we've also seen what you've done.
And Regular Guys know the difference between poison peddlers and Regular Guys.
Posted by: Joe on April 4, 2006 22:32
Good riddance! But you're right, it's not like he acted alone. There are plenty more we need to flush out. I doubt they can be reformed at this point.
Posted by: Diane on April 5, 2006 17:14
Congrats on the great new site, Flavia! You go, grrrrlllfriend!
Posted by: Celeste Fremon on April 5, 2006 18:06
Scooter has confessed that our president and vice-president gave him authorization to leak Valerie Plame's name. I would consider this terrorist activity. How can we fight a war against terrorism when our president is involved in terrorist activity himself. Americans need to set higher standards for our country NOW.
Posted by: The Dominator on April 6, 2006 14:16
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Comments advocating the killing of government officials will be deleted. Please refrain from such rhetoric. Thanks.
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Posted by: Captain Hate on April 7, 2006 08:59
flavia, your site is great. Great to see delay resign. if only all the crooked politicos would resign as well. keep up the good work.
Posted by: kevin colgan on April 11, 2006 17:14
Someone once said that cheaters get a headstart but the truth always catches up. This development is long overdue. Those entrusted to serve must always remember that the citizen is always in charge and they must act accordingly.
Posted by: JD on April 11, 2006 18:24