"Power corrupts, and Washington has never been short of proof for that adage, no matter which side of the political aisle has been in power. But the money-for-influence scandals now bubbling inside the Beltway may prove to be in a class of their own.

Enmeshing the most powerful Republican in the House, Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas, the ongoing investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff implicates not only politicians but also conservative think tanks and ideologues. Republicans - who took control of Congress partly on claims of Democratic corruption - ought to be the most outraged by reported excesses, but are too intent on circling the wagons.

Any money intended to gain influence in government is worth a hard look by anyone concerned with ethics in government. In this case, that look should include the flow of cash through not only these lobbying and public relations firms - which represented not just Indians but foreign governments - but also through the think tanks Abramoff reportedly used, and into the funding of trips for lawmakers like DeLay."

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Editorial: Washington's sleaze factor (The Buffalo News 5/25)

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