Something to ask your Congressman before election day

[Koga No Goshi]

One of my biggest pet peeves with the US political system has been driven home, again, by the recently concluded trial of Senator Ted Stevens. Isn't it ironic that many states deny convicted felons who have served their debt to society the right to ever vote again, but don't deny "other" convicted felons the priviledge to serve as ones' Congressman or Senator? Law Enforcement personnel, State & Federal, cannot begin or remain in service with past or current felonies on their record. Considering the authority they bring to bear, being held to a higher standard is certainly justified and desirable.

So why is it that our political leaders, who wield even greater authority, are not held to a higher standard of legal/ethical/moral behavior? Both parties "pay lip service" to ethical standards when it suits their party or personal interests, but no meaningful effective action is ever really accomplished. Giving these ethically challenged criminals the boot with loss of all pension benefits and perks would go a long way in restoring faith in our system. May Uncle Ted rot in at Club Med Correctional Facility, if he even gets served with jail time that is.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'd make him my porter.

Why are none of the Bushies who gave the middle finger to subpoenas not in prison like any plebeian citizen would be if they did the same?

[Hosakawa Tito]

Why are none of the Bushies who gave the middle finger to subpoenas not in prison like any plebeian citizen would be if they did the same?

It's a matter of enforcement and the will to do so. Federal courts have ruled that these subpoenas cannot be ignored. Obviously, neither party really wants to open up this can of worms; just posture in front of the court of popular opinion instead.

[KukriKhan]

So why is it that our political leaders, who wield even greater authority, are not held to a higher standard of legal/ethical/moral behavior?

It does seem incongruous, I admit. But it does underline the primacy of the will of the people. If felony conviction is not a written bar to election, the people can elect anyone to hold office.

It's a stretch, but stay with me a moment: Think of all the 3rd world nations where political opposition is jailed for years/decades. Mandela, etc. If not killed, they eventually get released. Sometimes, the people, having either changed their minds about the guy, or had their own opposition suppressed, or in a 'fit' of liberation-fever, want that convicted felon elevated to office.

Just a thought.

[Crazed Rabbit]

It does seem incongruous, I admit. But it does underline the primacy of the will of the people. If felony conviction is not a written bar to election, the people can elect anyone to hold office.

It's a stretch, but stay with me a moment: Think of all the 3rd world nations where political opposition is jailed for years/decades. Mandela, etc. If not killed, they eventually get released. Sometimes, the people, having either changed their minds about the guy, or had their own opposition suppressed, or in a 'fit' of liberation-fever, want that convicted felon elevated to office.

Just a thought.

That's a good point.

Also, there's a lot of really trivial felonies out there, way beyond crimes that harm people in any way;
In Washington state under a new anti-online gambling law:

Washington residents who play poker or make other types of wagers on the Internet will be committing a Class C felony, equivalent under the law to possessing child pornography, threatening the governor or torturing an animal. Although the head of the state Gambling Commission says it is unlikely that individual online gamblers will be targeted for arrest, the new law carries stiff penalties: as much as five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Modern times have led to loads of new felonies being created for stupid, trivial things like online gambling.

CR

[Xiahou]

Personally, I think anyone who's been in the US Congress for more than a few terms is almost certainly corrupt. No need for a trial to determine that. You can't stay in Washington for decades and not get dirt on you. The people who have the integrity not to be corrupted leave.