And absolute power corrupts absolutely.

It is a sad and sorry sight to behold. Across Washington, hundreds of thousands of dollars are flying out of the pockets of politicos and into the more deserving coffers of charities. As lobbyist Jack Abramoff pled guilty to a second set of felony charges, even President Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign decided to let $6,000 in donations from the lobbyist head on out the door to the less fortunate. Any greenbacks left in Washington with Jack Abramoff’s fingerprints on them will be hard to find in a politician’s wallet.

From former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, to his successor, Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri, to Eric Cantor of Virginia, pockets were being turned inside out to discard the tainted lucre. Even Miss Hillary is spooked, announcing plans to return any donations that came from Abramoff or the Indian tribes he represented. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said he too would be joining the ranks of the Indian-givers, as somehow he ended up with 2K from the Saginaw Chippewas.

Never before has been seen such a rush to shed cash, as opposed to begging for it by members of Congress. It was so unusual that even former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich bravely chimed in. “You can’t have a corrupt lobbyist unless you have a corrupt member (of Congress) or a corrupt staff. This was a team effort.” Thanks for the news flash, Newt.

So who is fit to govern us? Lord Acton said that no one is. Lord Acton said that every class of persons is unfit to govern. Lord Action said it was because of “power”. He said that no one can handle it.