Paul Krugman

writes about who is probably the most corrupt man in Congress today: Tom DeLay

"Some crazy guy? Public images are funny things. Newt Gingrich became a famous symbol of Republican radicalism. By contrast, most people know little about Mr. DeLay, the House majority leader. Yet Mr. DeLay is more radical--and more powerful--than Mr. Gingrich ever was."

And more corrupt and more ruthless than Gingrich ever was or ever thought of being. He probably belongs in jail. Anyhow, here's more:

"But the really important stories about Mr. DeLay, a central figure in the impeachment of Bill Clinton [THE, I would argue], involve his continuing drive to give his party a permanent lock on power [in cahoots with Karl Rove, of course].

...

"There's every reason to believe that the Westar case is unusual only in the fact that the transaction came to light. Under Mr. DeLay's leadership, Republicans have established a huge fund-raising advantage, not just on promises--special interests have always been able to buy favorable policies, but never so brazenly--but also on threats. Mr. DeLay pioneered the 'K Street strategy,' which--in a radical break with tradition--punishes lobbying firms that try to maintain good relations with both parties."

There used to be a word for such threats: blackmail.

And Krugman goes on about the Texas redistricting story and so forth. But he is rightfully angry when people look the other way and don't stop this man and his cohorts:

"They aren't [politics as usual]--what we're looking at here is a radical power play, which if it succeeds will transform our country."

I would also add the current, unquestionably White House-run attempt to recall California Governor Gray Davis in the attempt of the far right to achieve power in California. Remember, they stole the White House brazenly, in broad daylight, and they counted on public apathy for them getting away with it. They attempted to get rid of Bill Clinton through the abuse of the impeachment process. They will do anything and everything to destroy the Democratic Party.

The old rules don't work anymore. To put it bluntly, our goverment is now in the hands of a group of criminals worse even than the mafia. It's up to what's left of the opposition to put a stop to this before we lose it all.