Tom DeLay & Criminalization of Politics

By Sibyl West

1. He was extremely focused and effective in his efforts -- none of which benefited him personally but which benefited his party and his state immensely.
2. His success has earned him the abandonment of his partys members. No one says a peep about him. He may as well have dropped off the face of the earth and into purgatory.

I have to wonder: Is this what party loyalty brings? If so then why would anybody in his right mind want to make the effort for the Republican Party? Has the GOP become the party of second-class unprotected outcastes? Citizen isnt really a term that fits for a group whose inclusion in society depends upon their not criticizing (yea not even questioning) their betters -- those in the liberal Ruling Class who own Washington D.C. And these Republicans cannot find it in themselves to speak kindly of a man who has done so much -- more than most -- for their cause. And why? For nothing but fear that the media will take aim at them for standing up for a colleague who is questionable. Any party that doesnt protect and defend its members but instead allows them be picked off one at a time by the opposition -- how long can such a party expect to exist? Much is made of the concept of American exceptionalism. But it is the individual -- not the group -- who excels. Only an individual can make a meaningful contribution to the group and yet the individual is the one most vulnerable to being taken advantage of and abused by the group often simply for being so exceptional. Illegal to be a Republican?   Does being a registered Republican cause unforeseen problems in 21st-century America?

• Ask GM dealers across the country who lost their dealerships.
• Ask people whose banks have dropped or changed the terms of their loans for no apparent reason.

The ranks of independent voters have burgeoned dramatically of late. Is there some stigma connected with being a Republican that makes being an independent that much more attractive? Based on the evidence I would say the answer is yes. And Id bet fifty cents that independents and Republicans alike would agree there is a double standard -- a kind of political dhimmitude if you will -- of one set of laws for the believers of the liberal worldview and another for those foolish enough to think the U.S. Constitution has any merit or relevance whatsoever anymore. I spoke to one of my friends who has long been involved in Texas politics regarding DeLays case. My friend said The campaign finance laws were written vaguely by Dems so they had plenty of wiggle room. Theyve been driving 18-wheelers through those loopholes for a long time -- though it was clear that someone would get collared one day and have to pay the piper in court. Its curious that it didnt happen until someone with an R behind his name did the same thing. What really went down How many Republicans even know if what Tom DeLay did was illegal in the first place? On Wednesdays show Mark Levin had Tom DeLays lawyer on as a guest. Dick Deguerin explained (and I summarize):

Texas Republican Majority PAC (TRMPAC) took in $1.5M half of which was personal donations half corporate. Seven hundred thousand dollars worth of corporate donations was there to pay for operations but $200K was left over after expenses. That excess was sent to the RNC which later sent back $190K worth of personal donations (which had been collected from around the country) to help Republican candidates in Texas.

This information was available for anyone to see. Activists in Austin learned of the transactions -- which are common practice among Democrats. The problem was that Tom DeLay was a Republican and an effective Republican -- so effective that he made the Texas House majority Republican for the first time in over a hundred years. The left just couldnt tolerate the defeat. After howling and gnashing their teeth they got to work to bring The Hammer down. So what happens now? Well appeal. Theres been no crime. Mark Levin then asked his guest the counsel for DeLay point-blank: Youre a Democrat too arent you? Deguirin laughed nervously. I dont recall him actually saying yes but he asserted that he was not a partisan Democrat. Levin remarked This case really upsets you. Everything appears that the way it was done was legit. We tried to follow the law. Ill bet he did indeed. Too bad Democrats and the liberal trial lawyers who run them are trying to convince us that its illegal to even be a Republican in America. During the break Andrew C. McCarthy who prosecuted the Blind Sheik in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing e-mailed Mark: How can it be money laundering? The proceeds have to be the result of a crime. This thing has so many holes in it that anyone can see through them. Levin said The media created a monster out of Tom DeLay. Levin described his meeting with the man -- what a quiet soft-spoken family-loving religious guy he was in real life. Levin told DeLay how sorry he was that all this was happening to him to which DeLay replied With the help of the good Lord well get this matter resolved properly. Levin finally said Whether you agree with everything he did is beside the point. He doesnt deserve this. What say you O GOP? Here is where to send money to help The Hammer. Hes broke in case you didnt know: Tom DeLay Defense Fund 800 Commerce Street Houston Texas  77002

Like many observers I believe Tom DeLay will prevail on appeal. But in many ways the damage has already been done. Democrats in Washington hounded him with frivolous lawsuits including a ridiculous racketeering charge even before a partisan local prosecutor initiated the action decided last week. DeLay was forced to give up his seat in Congress and has reportedly spent $8 million to defend his freedom.

 - John Doolittle Daily Caller The growing criminalization of American politics

Sibyl West is the editor in chief of Ramparts360.com who was named 2010 Blogger of the Year by Americans for Prosperity-Texas. She is a perennial student of Vedanta philosophy who lived for 25 years in the Far East.