Scandal - Just in Time for Election

Those who have been around LPJ long enough know that I am not affiliated with any particular political party – I observe (and keep an eye) on the individual, and that is the way I vote. But here is my take on the Rep. Mark Foley scandal …

According to David Bossie, president of conservative advocacy group Citizens United … “Speaker Hastert had knowledge of Congressman Foley’s inappropriate behavior and chose to protect a potential pedophile and powerful colleague over a congressional page. This inaction demonstrates a lack of leadership on Speaker Hastert’s part, and calls into question both his judgement and character. If Speaker Hastert was willing to sacrifice a child to protect Rep. Foley’s seat and his own leadership position, then he surely does not share our American and conservative values.”

Hastert called for an investigation of the circumstances that led to Foley’s resignation last week. This weekend Foley announced he was turning himself into a rehab center for alcoholism.

The Republicans are already in trouble with their voting base because of President Bush’s actions and inactions in areas concerning mostly domestic issues – especially his stubbornness about illegal immigration, despite qualified advice from political experts. This scandal would be regarded as an individual who is a bad apple in the bunch, but if any member of Congress suspected, they should have authorized an official investigation immediately. Bad jokes about pages and Congressmen have been floating around for years – and it is truly disgusting; just as Michael Reagan on national syndicated radio, and chairman of Citizens United stated: “Any member of Congress who was aware of the sexual e-mails and protected the congressman should also resign effective immediately.”

Foley is under FBI investigation for allegedly sending sexually explicit Internet messages to underage male congressional pages.

Hastert in his own defense stated: “Congressman Foley duped a lot of people.”
Well, one thing for sure, at least Foley resigned, unlike a fellow known as “Slick Willy.” Rehabilitating or not - if the FBI finds the evidence, Foley, congressional member or not - should be proscecuted; especially since he was a congressional member. Rule of law, no one above it - and that goes for all political party members in government offices from the presidency on down.

Related Reading: Imposter: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy.