The more things change - - - - -

The other day, I sent a note to my sister-in-law out in Arizona regarding political corruption.

I used Rep. Charles Rangel as an illustration. When Charlie recently heard that the House Ethics panel found him guilty of taking himself and his associates on freebie Caribbean trips, but did not censure him, his response was,"That's disturbing".

As I suggested to Doris - or "D" : "Charlie, it's disturbing to a lot of us."

Today in The USA Today (on page 4) - there is a headline: "Watchdog Group seek revamp of ethic rules". The article briefly addresses the concerns of independent groups regarding the failure of congressional ethics folks to act responsibly . ("H-E-L-L-O?")

Sadly, this popular paper chose not to give more attention to a situation that is the very epitome of why we as citizens sometimes wonder if we are doomed to live in the world of "Catch 22".

Then, I recalled the wonderful satire of cartoonist Alfred Gerald Caplin, known to us old folks as Al Capp. Al was a curmudgeon who often made fun of political figures in the 40's thru the 70's via his popular Lil Abner comic strip. I devoured it seven days a week.

One of Capps many Lil Abner characters was Senator Jack S (say it fast) Phogbound. The good Senator was suggested to be a "corrupt and a conspiratorial blowhard". In the comic strip he is seen wearing a coonskin hat and carrying a ramrod rifle to show he remains a " trustworthy good old boy", worthy of the folks in Dogpatch - Lil Abner's Kentucky home.

Another Capp character was General Bullmoose who was characterized as "the epitome of a ruthless capitalist." Bullmoose's motto was, "What's good for Bullmoose is good for the USA!"

The accusations against Charlie and other congressional figures were that they were inappropriately accepting money from corporations and lobbyists. The Independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) investigated and made a referral to the long standing House ethics panel ,which is controlled by members of Congress. ("Mr. Fox, welcome to my henhouse.")

The OCE "referred' instead of "confronted" because Congress, in their infinite wisdom, gave them no subpoena power. It appears they can only confront alleged violators by "gumming them to death."

The OCE was established after the House passed ethics rules in 2007 following Nancy Pelosi's observation that there was a "culture of corruption" in existance. (Sorry Nance, didn't work.")

This past Friday the House ethics panel exonerated a dozen lawmakers in two separate investigations and never interviewed any of the accused.

The OCE , in making the referral, had in one instance "probable cause" that Representative Pete Viscloskey "took donations in a manner that suggested contributions were linked to official actions." "Petey", a member of the House Appropriations Committee, held a 2008 fundraiser attended by his top aides and defense contractors a week before he requested contracts for some of those same donors.

"General Bullmose - I'd like you to meet Senator Jack S. Phogbound" - might well have been one of Al Capps panels. He would then no doubt have correctly viscerated both men and the political environment in which they operate.

Alphonse Karr said, "The more things change - the more they remain the same".

But, it was more fun when Al Capp was involved.

Maybe that's because - back then - we were involved too.