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Symptoms, Causes & Insidiousness

by Robert Capozzi

Bridging on Jim Turbett's blog and Ron Paul's column, it seems wise to remember that the Abramoff scandal was, in many ways, a function of a large government. With the stakes being as high as they are, special interests seek out influence peddlers to bring home the bacon from DC.

But let's make no mistake: Ferreting out the Abramoff's of the world is important work. I'm reminded of Jefferson's "the price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

While government can bring out the worst in people, it's not the only institution that is prone to corruption. Markets can, too. Were Abramoff's crimes any worse than, say, Bernie Ebbers, the convicted former Worldcom fraudster?

Teapot Dome happened when government's control of the economy and our lives was substantially less than it is now. There were Abramoffs then, Abramoffs now, and will be Abramoffs in the future. They will tend to insidiously corrupt those whose influence they buy.

It seems to me a mistake to assume that politicians go into that game for the money. Many, and perhaps most, of them can make far more in the private sector. Abramoff was able to exploit several politicians need for more and more campaign contributions to stay in their chosen "game."

Rather, my assumption is they go into it in part out of a sense of public service, and in part for power and ego gratification. Dr. Paul is one of the few who seems entirely motivated by the former, and, for that, we should all be grateful.

While the ethics of human cloning are hazy, can't we make an exception in the case of Dr. Paul? We could use a lot more of him.

-Robert Capozzi