by Trapper John
Other people, like DHinMI below, will write wide-ranging and cogent analyses of why Boehner is no champion of reform. For me, though, Boehner's supreme venality can be reduced to one simple visual -- the image of a sitting Congressman handing out checks from the tobacco lobby on the House floor. In a game of Can You Top This played by kept kongressmen, that's a "Domino, motherfucker!!" moment.
I mean, not only was he handing out checks (good . . . ) from a lobbyist (nice . . .) in the heart of the People's House (well played!) -- they were checks from the ample wallet of Big Tobacco! It's that kind of attention to the little details that won the job for Boehner. Roy Blunt would have just handed out checks from Pharma or the Realtors.
I can't remember who I heard it from, but I think somebody was in the House in the 60's, and one of the real old-timers said that when he came to the Congress, each member had a safe near his seat on the floor. The old-timer said he asked one of the members what the safe was for, and he was told "for the cash you get from them guys outside the chamber looking for help on bills."
I guess Boehner can be considered a throwback to the good old days.
Posted by: DHinMI | February 02, 2006 at 17:27
This is the funniest thing to happen in a long time. Even the normally supine All Things Considered mentioned it tonight. Horselaugh politics is what it is...and you can bet, the usual gloom & doomers will be lining up any moment to warn Democrats not to expose themselves to criticism by ridiculing Boehner's selection.
DH: Haven't they retired those safes? Didn't they eventually become too small for the job?
Posted by: smintheus | February 02, 2006 at 18:14
smintheus: it's all electronic now. they have credit card swipers at every desk.
Posted by: emptypockets | February 02, 2006 at 22:24
Cool pseud, smintheus. Somebody's still reading the Iliad, thank God.
Posted by: Davis X. Machina | February 02, 2006 at 22:26
Actually I'm still writing the Iliad. It's just that the latest intalment has been stuck in production for years and years.
Posted by: smintheus | February 02, 2006 at 22:35
Geez. Just goes to confirm my theory that corruption reform is like missile defense: no matter how complex the protections, somebody will find a loophole. The term "lobbyist" came about because of the scandal of the Credit Mobilier people passing out $100 bills on the floor of Congress by railroad interests. Solution: have a Congressperson do it.
Posted by: Meteor Blades | February 03, 2006 at 13:55
Nowadays they probably do a direct transfer into bank accounts. All the Congressman has to do is go to online banking to confirm the transfer.
ick.....I knew they wouldn't be changing anything substantive.
Posted by: coigue | February 04, 2006 at 23:35