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Strong words for Congress

By Lou Dobbs
CNN

• Lou Dobbs Tonight

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(CNN) -- Federal prosecutors are turning up the heat in the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling case, which promises to be the biggest Washington scandal in a generation.

"Lou Dobbs Tonight" has been reporting on the overwhelming role of corporate cash on public policy for years, usually under the title of "The Best Government That Money Can Buy."

And what has been the reaction of our elected officials and representatives to the scandal? President Bush and scores of congressmen and senators, Republicans and Democrats alike, are now returning Abramoff-related money as quick as scalded cats. What have most of them said publicly about the scandal?

Here's what they haven't said:

We know the system is corrupt, and we're sorry for our conduct. We'll fix it.

We know that we've followed the instructions of our all powerful corporate masters and special interest lobbies, and sold out the people who've elected us, and we're sorry.

We know that we shouldn't let lobbyists actually write the laws and regulations that they've bought and paid for with corporate and special interest money. And we're sorry.

We know we've ignored the national interest and scoffed indifferently at the middle class and working men and women who no longer have any representation in our government. We're sorry.

But here's what one congressman did say: According to The Associated Press, Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Ohio, said, "I wish it hadn't happened because it's not going to help us keep our majority."

That's at least straightforward, raw political talk. In that respect, Regula gets some credit for not doing what most of his colleagues are doing: feigning some slight concern for the plight of the average American in the face of politically dominant corporate interests and unchecked social, special interest lobbies.

Working men and women no longer have a say in the Best Government Money Can Buy, while facing stagnant wages, job insecurity and declining test scores for their kids.

So here's my wish, congressman. I wish that Abramoff had been the only lobbyist in Washington, but he wasn't. There are 14,000 lobbyists swarming over government officials in Washington.

Now, I hope we find out exactly what that other $2 billion a year in lobbying money has bought. And, ultimately, exactly who that money has bought.

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