The Abramoff Affair

It was a dark day in 2000 when the presidency was handed over to the loser by the Supreme Court. But that was a bright, sparkling summer day compared to the day I dub “Black Tuesday”, November 2004, when the universe sucked my existence into a surreal blackhole and somehow the idiot was re-elected. I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it. It was not possible. It took a week for me to shake off the bewilderment, almost like a general anesthetic and get back to my life. The word “mandate” was thrown around like a football by every news outlet across the country. The term “political capital” was used as if we all weren’t painfully aware that bush had capital that the rest of us didn’t. He had the biggest money, the fattest bankroll behind him and now he had the political wealth as well. Hoo-flippin-rah.
I have to admit, I came dangerously close to believing that it was over. That our government, our congress, the administration and all those involved with it were going to continue to run our country unchecked into the ground, causing mayhem and destruction to the world, yucking it up while reverse Robin Hood-ing all the way to the bank. Little rays of hope peeked out occasionally, sending my optimism upward only to be hurled viciously against the rocks of minimal attention or action. My despondency was so complete, I took a trip out to San Francisco just to be re-energized by the progressive thinking prevalent in that area. I didn’t understand. I still don’t.
But then, enter the noble knights on their stalwart steeds – Earle, Fitzgerald and members of the justice department as well as my personal heroes and perhaps, yes, perhaps, gods of a sort – the whistleblowers . Refusing to be deterred from ensuring the proper legal path is being attended and casting off imminent threats to their careers and livelihoods, these prized citizens pushed investigations to uncover facts that could not be minimized nor cast aside. Finally, what some of us knew in our hearts was going on, call it intuition, call it experience, whatever, we are validated. DeLay was indicted. Russell Tice will be heard by congress. Army Capt. Ian Fishback revealed the lack of policy in regards to abuse and torture of detainees. And finally, Abramoff has cut a deal. He will be working hand in hand with the prosecution to expose the corruption that over the past six years has been standard practice.
It’s hard to quell this rising feeling of arrant euphoria. I am literally choking back the “told ya’s!” I hate arrogance. I hate bad sportsmanlike conduct. But it’s hard, after all this time watching people with power running amuck, trampling all over people, their civil rights and important social concerns, like the proverbial bull in a china shop. Abramoff has admitted to bilking Native Americans out of hundreds of millions of dollars….gee, that’s a break with tradition. I suppose I should be thankful that he came clean and is going to work with the prosecution. I can’t imagine the pressure that must have been put on him considering the connections that have been made. But I just feel disgust. I know this stuff goes on, but the depth of avariciousness always, always staggers me. I don’t understand CEOs who get tens of millions of dollars in bonuses on top of their salaries, stealing more from the company. I don’t understand elected officials, especially those who will receive their salary until the day they die regardless of how long they stay in their elected position, taking money, gifts, trips, etc. Is it a game? Is it the thrill of getting away with something? I know expecting these guys to clean up their acts on their own is a lot to ask. If you are getting away with something year after year, your friends are doing it and everyone around you knows about it, what would be the reason to stop, other than a sudden emergence of conscience? If you get to go to the Super Bowl with your wife and kids, you get to go play golf in Scotland, and you get your salary supplemented substantially, how difficult is it to say, “nah, thanks anyway”? All you have to do is vote the way they want; maybe encourage others to do the same. What’s the big deal?
It’s interesting how easily it can be rationalized.
These are the same people that were blowing a fuse over Terry Shiavo, hardcore “Christians” with “moral” fiber, who “swift-boated” a veteran and have strong “characters”. These are the same guys who treated Bill Clinton like a man who had just slammed a baby against a brick wall, instead of a man who couldn’t keep his package in his pants. The shame! The dishonor to the office! Integrity, remember? Integrity back in the White House? All those guys riding the dubbya coattails were chanting that into their campaign megaphones for all to hear, as well. Little did we know that this was code for spying on us, lining their pockets with special interest group and lobbyist money, and generally doing whatever the hell they wanted to do. It was like freakin’ Mardi Gras! No wonder there was so little concern about New Orleans demise during Katrina. They only have Mardi Gras for a few days. How long has Washington been in “show us your t*ts” mode? I wonder if there is any semblance of embarrassment over the display made about Clinton and Monica now? P-shaw! Are you kidding?! That was sex. This is just money and power. Apples and oranges, ma’am, apples and oranges.

The funny thing is, as ugly as all this might get, it says a lot about our country. How many countries have a tradition of corruption on every level of their government that continues through the ages? How many government, judicial or law enforcement employees accept brides or gifts to look the other way? How many other countries’ governments come down on themselves before the masses do it for them? It shows that our system is a good one and that there are people who take their responsibilities to heart. As with any collective body, it is only as good as the individuals involved. Think about it. All of this could have remained beneath the shroud. Bush and cheney have done everything in their power to lock this government down into absolute secrecy. Yet, the shroud’s fabric doth unravel. They might be checking into the leak regarding the NSA spying but that’s a knee-jerk bushism of which we have become intimately acquainted.
“Who told!!?? Who spilled the beans?”
“Uh. Sorry. Got a case of the “do the right thing” I guess. My bad”.
What did Russell Tice say yesterday on Democracy Now? That over and over again it is drilled into the agents at the NSA – thou shalt not spy on American citizens? And the cardinal rule was being broken. Oh, well. Someone did the right thing.
And we (please please please) are hopefully entering a new chapter, maybe even a whole new book of our history. Wouldn’t that be fantastic? We enter a phase of doing the right thing. Getting people into our government to represent the best things about us, not the worst. Allowing states to do for their citizens, and federally watching over in a protective yet unoppressive kind of way. We don’t want to have no federal government – that wouldn’t make any sense. A center keeps us all plugged in, keeps us all connected. I don’t want each state to be completely autonomous. It would lead to terrible in-fighting, cacophany and one-upmanship. Look to the examples around the world if you don't agree. Members of a family can go about their business expanding and growing personally, and return to the fold to work as one in times of strife or crisis. The federal government is a thing – an inorganic being that is simply a reflection of those involved. Our government doesn’t suck because it is innately sucky. It sucks because the vast majority of the people running it suck.
I am praying, long and hard, that the Abramoff Files will be the golden ticket. I don’t want to jump the gun, so in my hopeful optimism I squeeze my eyes shut and pray that the end truly is here, and we can be released from this nightmare known as the era of the neo-con. I dream of the day that I can bid them all good-bye and good riddance. And to my own representative, Tom DeLay, I bestow a very large, impatient guy who wants you as his bitch. Smile for your daddy.