Has anyone else noticed that the Republican Party’s leaders and spokespeople seem to have more trouble with the law than a bunch of fraternity boys on homecoming weekend?

Let’s run down the list:

1. Tom DeLay - Indicted by a Texas grand jury for conspiring to deliver illegal contributions into state elections. Also investigated for ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering. The former House Majority Leader resigned his seat in June, 2006.

2. Karl Rove - Arrested by FBI for making false statements about Jack Abramoff’s political and business dealings. Investigated for illegal disclosure of CIA classified information.

3. Dick Cheney - Investigated for illegal disclosure of CIA classified information. Investigated for the accidental shooting of his hunting partner.

4. Rush Limbaugh - Arrested and charged with one count of fraud — concealed information to obtain prescription. Detained and investigated in Florida for carrying a prescription under his doctor’s name.

5. Mark Foley - Under investigation by the FBI and Florida officials for exchanging sexually explicit messages with underage Congressional pages. Resigned his Congressional seat September 29, 2006.

6. Ann Coulter - Currently under investigation about whether she voted in the wrong precinct in Florida (a voting irregularity in Florida? NO WAY!).

7. Bill O’Reilly - Sued for sexual harassment. Settled out of court in October, 2004.

8. Lewis “Scooter” Libby - Currently on trial for lying to investigators in the case of “outed” CIA officer Valerie Plame.

9. Jack Abramoff - Convicted in 2006 of multiple felonies, including conspiracy and wire fraud.

10. Dennis Hastert - Probed for accepting money from Turkey. Also investigated for receiving money from Abramoff. Currently facing the House Ethics Committee for his role in the Foley scandal.

11. James Tobin - Convicted of telephone harassment in the GOP phone line jamming scandal during Sununu’s 2002 campaign in New Hampshire.

12. George W. Bush - Investigated for criminal conspiracy in divulging the identity of covert CIA agent. Investigated for illegal warrantless surveillance program.

This is the party of traditional values? I was not aware that traditional values included breaking the law whenever it was in the way of your agenda, your sexual urges or your greed. Are Democrats perfect? Nope. But here’s some homework for you (sorry, I’m a teacher): do a couple quick Google searches on “criminal Republicans” and “criminal Democrats” and see what you get.

Midterm elections are just a few days away. Hopefully, Americans are not so enamored of their “party” that they have forgotten their values. Respect the law, respect the system - show the GOP that they cannot get away with breaking every law that gets in their way.

Sources:

http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/gopscorecard.htm

MSBNC.com

CBSNews.com

Google.com