Going into the election last Tuesday, ProPublica, “an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest,” reported there were eleven Congressmen under investigation who were also seeking reelection. And how many of those eleven were reelected? Nine of them. Nine! Here’s the list:
- Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK)
- Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA)
- Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
- Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
- Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV)
- Rep. Gary G. Miller (R-CA)
- Rep. Timothy F. Murphy (R-PA)
- Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
- Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
ABC notes some of these lawmakers’ troubles.
What is amazing to me is that how ever much people complain about an unethical Congress or corrupt system, people are willing to reelect Congressmen with dubious ethical standards. Why? Because:
“I’ve got to believe that the reason why [they’re reelected] is that they’ve developed this network of support that’s based on bringing business opportunities and earmarks to the community,” said Craig Holman, a campaign finance lobbyist for the watchdog group Public Citizen. “The more they develop a network in their communities, the more likelihood they can survive a criminal investigation or indictment.”
Somehow, I feel it should be a red flag when your Congressman is found hiding $90,000 of cash in his freezer. Just saying.
(Nod: Ben Smith)
