The Right State

So much for the Democrats portraying the Republicans as involved in a “Culture of Corruption.”  Turns out one of the biggest purveyors of this term is involved in his own corruption scandal.  Harry Reid, Dem.-Nevada, accepted free gifts from Nevada Athletic Commission while considering legislation concerning government oversight of boxing.

From 2003 to 2005 Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has accepted free ringside tickets to professional boxing matches from Nevada officials while Congress was considering regulating the sport.

Reid defended the gifts saying the gifts would never influence his decision while he was considering legislation.  Right!  Like we are really supposed to believe that.

Harry Reid has been relentless in attacking Republicans as having a ‘culture of corruption.’  There is a culture of corruption when lawmakers when lawmakers can accept bribes and still believe they are acting in the best interest of their constituents.  While Reid took free tickets on three different occasions, two other lawmakers were offered free tickets as well. One was Sen. John McCain who insisted on paying for his ticket and the other was Sen. John Ensign, R-Nevada, who abstained from voting on the boxing bills.  But not Harry Reid.  And he still thinks he did nothing wrong!

Reid was involved with the Abramoff scandal as well by taking money from Indian tribes who were trying to influence his vote.  Abramoff was later indicted on influence peddling causing most lawmakers to give back any money they received from the lobbyist, but not Reid.  The Senator just accepts money and gifts from different lobbyists and he wants us to believe it doesn’t influence his decisions.

Note to Senator Reid: I would be very careful about throwing accusations about a “culture of corruption,” if I were you.  The next time you start slamming down the lid, make sure your own hand is not in the cookie jar.

In a funny post, ScrappleFace is expresses concern for the first known case of Republican to Democrat transmission of the ‘culture of corruption’ disease.

Tags: Corruption, Democrats, Politics //