In the midst of the scandal that Dennis Hastert has created for himself, he has had a nice, comfy life since his congressional days. He has earned millions of dollars as a lobbyist, fronting for some real swell firms supporting fracking and cigarettes, among others. Not bad for a former high school wrestling coach.
I am trying to decide if there is any point in posting comments on these blogs. The hypocrisy, greed and obsession for power on the part of our “leaders” are not what a democracy is about, let alone can survive on. This latest hoo-ha on the sexual misdeeds of dear Denny is about the last straw. Here was a guy who by all accounts is a decent human being (though politically incorrect), now revealed to have, um, an unsavory past. He, along with the likes of Newt Gingrich, Bob Livingston, Dan Burton, David Vitter (look them up on Google if your brain needs refreshing) among others, who castigated Bill Clinton for his escapades, apparently had no problems looking at themselves in the mirror during that time.
This country does not belong to Americans anymore. Most everyone in legislative office is on the take, with many politicians terrified to reach across the aisle, for fear of a primary opponent even more extreme than themselves. They stay long enough to get a nice, fat governmental pension, then become lobbyists and continue to sell out to special interests, that this time can fully reward them for their services. These ex-public servants think they are bullet-proofed, that any past or current shortcomings will not be revealed, since they are no longer in public office, anyway.
Everywhere I look, I see so many people who are supposed to serve us ending up down the rabbit hole, as the pull of big money, big status, big influence are simply too irresistible. They see their predecessors in Congress making so much money as lobbyists, they do whatever it takes to make their mark while in the public sector, then high-tail it to K Street (Washington’s neighborhood for corporate lobbying offices)and the treasure chest at the end of the rainbow.
I feel powerless, and plain scared for my beloved country. I love our neighbors to the North, but am too old to move to Canada. Right now, I am trapped in a nation that no longer cares about the middle-class, working people, voting rights, the infirmed, and those on fixed incomes. Lobbyists, especially those with high-end connections like Hastert, answer to their clients, and to heck with the public welfare. Yes, we have our bloggy-boards to shout our dismay into the wind, but really, are we making any progress? Or, is it already too late?