Politicians & Money Don't Mix

Skimming an article on House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's indictment this morning, I noted that the alleged violation was, "Texas law prohibits use of corporate contributions to advocate the election or defeat of candidates."

I suppose that it is legal to use those corporate contributions to create additional special interest programs at the expense of millions of Americans. When was a politician indicted for that?

Quite frankly, I believe that his recent statements are more of a crime than the alleged
violations in his recent indictment.

Via the Washington Times, Sept. 14, 2005:

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said yesterday that Republicans have done so well in cutting spending that he declared an "ongoing victory," and said there is simply no fat left to cut in the federal budget ...

Asked if that meant the government was running at peak efficiency, Mr. DeLay said, "Yes, after 11 years of Republican majority we've pared it down pretty good."

And how about McCain's violation of the McCain Feingold law earlier this month?

Via the Orange County Register (hat tip to Club for Growth):

Sen. John McCain has made a reputation for campaign finance reform and for being an independent thinker. So it was no surprise that Marilyn Brewer parlayed his endorsement into her first TV commercial for the Oct. 4 special election.In the ad, McCain compares Brewer to both Ronald and Nancy Reagan. One thing the first airings of the ad did not include: Brewer does not state that she approved the ad. That’s now required by law. Specifically, the law co-sponsored by McCain himself.

All the campaign finance reform laws in the world don't make politicians more responsible with other people's money. But the real threat is not with the use of voluntarily contributed funds -- it is with the use (and misuse) of forcibly seized taxpayer dollars.