Without DeLay....

Tom "The Hammer" DeLay is the most corrupt politician in Washington. DeLay's anti-democratic, pro-special interest agenda - all in the pursuit of personal power and partisan gain – is cause for even the most disreputable used car salesmen to hold up his head with pride and say, “thank God, I’m not Tom DeLay.” The ethically-challenged DeLay, a darling son of the far right and religious fanatics, stepped over the line last week when he threatened the federal judges judges who refused to hear appeals on behalf of Terri Shiavo.

"We will look at an arrogant, out of control, unaccountable judiciary that thumbed their nose at the Congress and president when given jurisdiction to hear this case anew and look at all the facts ... The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior, but not today."


The New Ayatolla 

In light of the fact judges and their families are increasingly under attack, with several losing their life and that of family members; is this conduct becoming the second most powerful member of the House of Representatives?

Perhaps the House Majority leader might want to consult someone on the matter of constitutional law. One of the reasons many judges are given life terms is to free them from exactly the kind of demagoguery “The Hammer” espouses.

Of course, the sleaze-ball from Sugarland only joined the “save Terri Shiavo” brigade in the 23rd hour in order to divert attention from the scrutiny being given to his own disgraceful political shenanigans. Such transparent maneuvers translated into polls showing 60 to 80 percent (depending on which poll you choose) are not in agreement with his “culture of life” crusade and think Congress would be better off minding its own business in this matter.

Now, even his own rightwing buddies are beginning to desert him. An increasing number of conservative publications and columnist are calling for his resignation, including The Wall Street Journal. The Ledger, a newspaper serving Lakeland, Florida and hardly known for its liberal views, put it most succintly in their editorial this past Friday:

“DeLay is a disgrace to his party and to the Congress. If he doesn't resign his leadership position, members of the House Republican caucus should remove him.”



"Tom DeLay gives us a bad name," says Wally the Weasel 



This is from the Daily Delay

10 reasons why Tom DeLay should resign from Congress

1. Tom DeLay violates ethics rules at will, making him a national embarrassment. Indeed, he has earned four formal ethics violations, a truly rare achievement as only five Members of Congress have been chastised by the committee in the last six years.

2. Tom DeLay embodies the worst of pay-to-play politics – he puts big donors like Enron ahead of the rest of us.

3. Tom DeLay abuses his position as House Majority Leader to trample on the legislative process and stretches the rules of campaign fundraising far as he can.

4. Tom DeLay accepted travel expenses from a registered foreign agent, in apparent violation of House rules.

5. Tom DeLay used illegal corporate contributions to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Texas voters with his anti-democratic re-districting scheme.

6. Tom DeLay uses tax dollars and government resources for partisan political gain.

7. Tom DeLay opposes any reasonable campaign finance laws, even disclosure of donations.

8. Tom DeLay shakes down small business owners for campaign contributions.

9. Tom DeLay received all expenses-paid junket from a lobbyist accused of bilking tens of millions of dollars from six Native American tribes.

10. Tom DeLay believes he is above the law.



Thanks to Brian's Political Donnybrook for the cartoon.