Caveat Emptor: The Abramoff Scandal

Uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud & tax evasion. In exchange for a 10 year sentence, he came clean, documenting a laundry list of bribes that even Machiavelli might gasp at. Abramoff’s influence peddling was so egregious & pervasive that a systematic investigation required a full-time commitment from more than 100 FBI agents. Numerous Senators & Representatives have been implicated, spawning the most corrosive political scandal since Watergate.

Is Abramoff an anomaly, or a rare glimpse of our government’s modus operandi? Few media outlets emphasize this disturbing question with sufficient vigor, but our Founding Fathers would.

Immorality was punished on President Washington’s watch. He refused to tolerate even minor abuses where matters of integrity were concerned, and would be completely disgusted by the Abramoff scandal. Washington would call for the head of not just Abramoff, but every individual involved.

As our diplomat in Britain before the Revolution, Franklin saw corruption at all levels of British government. Franklin considered himself an English citizen for most of his life, but was so disillusioned by ubiquitous British corruption that he gradually altered his allegiance. Crown leaders were concerned with special interests rather than national, and this led Franklin to conclude that oppressive American policies would be perpetuated. Franklin cried the day before he left England to return home--what he saw, and what he knew must follow, distressed him greatly.

At the Constitutional Convention, Franklin tried to avoid a replication of British venality by denying politicians compensation. Other framers worried that only the rich would serve if public officials were given no salary, feared this might lead to a monarchy or aristocracy similar to the one they had just revolted against, and therefore rejected Franklin’s proposal. Franklin would not be surprised by the Abramoff scandal, and would once again counsel, “Offices of profitable pre-eminence will attract the bold & violent, men of strong passions & indefatigable activity in their selfish pursuits.”

Jefferson would offer a simple observation: a government powerful enough to grant favors will do so—this is human nature, and the historical tendency of all governments. A small, frugal government has few favors to grant, and thus few seek to influence it. To Jefferson, corruption is the symptom, not the illness; in his view, overly large & powerful government is the disease, and shrinking this tumor the cure.

The politicians Abramoff implicated have already begun ye’ old shuck & jive, obfuscating, denying, waiting for the scandal to fade so business as usual can continue. It is insulting to hear “our” Senators & Representatives tell us that lobbyists paying them obscene sums of money are receiving no influence in return. Our Founding Fathers would want to run these miscreants through!

Caveat Emptor, the adage warns. Buyer Beware. Our Founders would teach Abramoff’s accomplices a new phrase: Caveat Venditor. Seller Beware. The real test of the Abramoff scandal will be whether elected officials who sold influence go to prison, or just the lobbyist who bought it does. If our Founding Fathers were here today, they would crusade for justice, doing everything in their power to shame & punish the scurrilous “leaders” who peddle our republic like a commodity.

Welcome to The Junto!

Junto - Prelude to President’s Day

Junto - Cheney the Marksman

Junto - Caveat Emptor: The Abramoff Scandal

Junto - The Tax Man Cometh

Junto - For A Few Casualties More: Memorial Day

Junto - Is The Melting Pot Boiling Over?

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