A sweet deal for 'official' felons

A sweet deal for 'official' felons
By S.A. Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
January 11, 2007

(yeah, yeah, I know, the Washington Times? ewwwwwwww)

..Bills that would withhold the pensions from members of Congress convicted of major crimes have been introduced in the past and failed. They usually die in the Senate. "They always worry that somehow they will get caught and lose their pensions," Mr. Kirk said of the senators. "They have always killed this common-sense reform." The measure's supporters say they are optimistic this time because of the strong push for ethics reforms this session -- a response to voter anger at Washington corruption that is credited in part for Democratic gains in last year's midterm elections. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, promised "serious consideration" of the proposal. Still, the effort is encountering the usual skepticism among seasoned lawmakers in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle. "I understand the image," Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, said of the pension payments. "I think the concept is achievable, but we had better be careful about it." "It is easy to pontificate and take this great ethical stand, but then you have to ask yourself, 'Well, what about this senator's or this congressman's innocent spouse who still has to live? What about the money that was actually paid into the retirement system?' " The specter of punishing "innocent spouses" also was raised by Rep. Charles B. Rangel, New York Democrat and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. "I would think the type of offense committed should have some weight, especially for someone who violates the public trust," he said. "We shouldn't have any different standard than any other part of government."

And we'll see if this bill dies also. I don't belive for one damn minute that Dukie Cunningham's wife is "innocent." She knows what a Navy officer makes, and she knows what a congressman makes and it isn't now, nor was it ever enough to live in Rancho Santa Fe and shop in antique stores.