John Stossel : The Scandal Is What's Legal - Townhall.com

By Michael Bates on December 17, 2008 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Ted Stevens, William Jefferson and Randy "Duke" Cunningham behaved egregiously enough to be convicted, but their actions didn't cost taxpayers nearly as much as what their colleagues did supposedly acting in the 'public interest.'...

"H.L. Mencken was right: 'Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.'...

"A system that rewards politicians skilled at campaigning -- which is the art of creating an illusion -- and that puts hundreds of billions of coerced taxpayer dollars at the disposal of the winners will tend to attract men and women with a comparative advantage in manipulation. We shouldn't be surprised that people like Blagojevich prosper in 'public service' -- until they get caught crossing the line."