The scandal involving Senator Craig from Idaho is yet another ugly stain on the legislative branch of our government. Unfortunately, politicians either do not learn from others mistakes or do not care because we continually see this kind of depraved behavior. Neither party has the market on corruption, both are equal offenders. It looks, more and more, like it is time to have a true "Anti-incumbent" election. No matter who your Congressmen or Senator is now all Americans should vote for his competitor in 2008.

Obviously, that would only mean 1/3 of the Senate would be new, but the whole House of Representatives would all be fresh faces. Granted they would probably still have ties to organizations like the current incumbents have, but it would at least send a message that we're tired of politicians abusing their status and expecting us to overlook their egregious behavior. You would be hard pressed to find ONE Senator or Congressmen who does not have a long list of earmarks he has tried to secure and even has secured. Even that "Constitutional Purist" Ron Paul has a very large list of earmarks he has pursued.

Had the original parameters for choosing Senators been left alone we could probably have some reform of that institution, but instead politicians found it necessary to "correct" the Founders by making Senators popularly elected rather than chosen by State Legislatures. Big mistake. Now Senators need only "Bring Home the Bacon" in order to keep their constituency happy and voting in their corner. Whereas if Senators were appointed by State Legislatures, as was originally prescribed in the Constitution, those government bodies could remove them from office immediately for corruption and other misdeeds. That would also give State Governments a vested interest in what is being done at the Federal level.

For whatever reason, there has been this constant dilution of Federalistic principles over the course of American history. Politicians have ignored, time and again, the "Founding Principles" of this country. I am not maintaining that everything the Founding Fathers devised was perfect or right, but it could not have been as inefficient, corrupted, or illogical as the Federal government is today had we followed the core principles of our Founding. Maybe our problem is we are hoping that 535 Aaron Burr's will act like George Washingtons.

We lack leaders of the same "stuff" that defined George Washington. Leaders who are concerned about their private dealings having an "appearance" of impropriety. Leaders who are concerned about their reputations, rather than worried about maintaining power. Leaders truly seeking what is best for America, rather than seeking what will fatten their wallets. Were Washington and the other "Founders" perfect? They were not. However, it is very hard to look back at their deeds and words and say they were only looking out for themselves. Sadly, looking out for themselves is the current modus operandi of our Government leaders.