Governor Robert Taft pleaded 'no contest' to ethics violations not long ago and was let off with a $4000 fine. Yes, they were only four miserable misdemeanors...but investigtions--including a federal probe!--are continuing as I type this. Expect further revelations of criminal behavior; I'm an Ohioan who can state unequivocally that Taft is dirtier than the Cuyahoga River used to be. (That's the one that caught fire. Twice.)
Missouri governor Matt Blunt and Kentucky governor Ernie Fletcher, nervously eyeing Taft's comeuppance, both seem now to be scrambling to avoid similar fates. Arnold Schwarzenegger, House majority Leader Tom DeLay--again?!?--and Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham are also in BIG trouble for questionable financial dealings.
All these men are, of course, Republicans, supposedly upstanding conservatives and pillars of so-called moral values. Bet you weren't surprised, either.
Hang on tight. We're taking a long and dreadful journey to the underside of the human condition, down into the horrible heart of the right-wing snakepit...
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