Article published Jan 5, 2006

Salisbury Daily Times
Power brokers keep tumbling
Political corruption laid bare as investigations continue

A horrified nation watches as once-powerful Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleads guilty to charges of conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud and agrees to cooperate in an influence-peddling investigation that is reported to threaten powerful members of Congress. Already caught in the web of improper conduct in our nation's capital is former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas. And let's not forget Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham of California, who resigned just weeks ago when his misconduct was revealed. Stay tuned.

Do people run for a seat in Congress so they can stick a hand into the pot and enjoy personal gains and a feeling of power? Or do they enter a race with the best of intentions, hoping to make a real difference in their communities and serve their constituents well? Maybe it's a little of both, if the truth were to be told. Perhaps the most well-intentioned newly elected congressman arrives in Washington and finds out that it's nearly impossible to get anything done unless you "play the game."

It must be difficult to arrive at Capitol Hill for the first time and sort through all the demands, the requests and offers that arrive at your office. It might even begin to seem as if you can't be effective without being in someone's pocket. Or maybe the temptation is just too much to resist --cash, trips, material goods, prestige, so many people who seem to be so interested in you.

Most members of Congress accept campaign donations from a Political Action Committee, which amounts to a thinly veiled bribe from a special interest group. Few PACS continue to make substantial donations to members of Congress who do not vote their way.

What were these people thinking when they accepted these illicit gifts? There must be more than a few members of Congress right now who are wishing they had behaved differently when they had the opportunity. How much money, power and glamour is worth the humiliation of having to publicly admit that you betrayed the very people who trusted you to best represent their interests, to admit you accepted bribes in exchange for your vote on some issue in Congress?

The sad thing is how the damage goes way beyond any personal shame and dishonor. It only confirms the lack of trust people have in their government. It increases the level of cynicism about our leaders and probably adds to the number of voters who do not take time to show up at the polls on election day.

In other words, it undermines the foundation of our representative government.

But the dishonesty and greed isn't universal, even in Congress.

We who live in Maryland's 1st District are fortunate to be represented by a member of Congress who has consistently refused to accept PAC money, who indeed only accepts donations from people who actually live in his district -- Rep. Wayne Gilchrest. Over the years, some may have believed him to be foolish, idealistic or naive in his stance, but now it's Gilchrest who is able to rest easy, his conscience clear.

More importantly, Gilchrest stands as living proof that to be an effective congressman, it is not necessary to "play the game" and flirt with bribery or sell out to special interests.