A Cautionary Tale of What Ails Republicans

"The Federal Railroad Administration handed a rare victory to the American taxpayer last week by denying a questionable $2.33 billion loan application by the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern (DM&E) Railroad. What makes this news of special interest is the paramount role Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota played in boosting the loan. Here is a cautionary tale of political life in Washington and how it corrupts.

"Thune entered the Senate in 2005 as one of the GOP's rising stars with a limitless future after defeating Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle for re-election. He declared himself eager to fight against spending under a Republican-controlled government. But instead of aligning himself with his party's reformers, Thune has been energized in promoting pork for South Dakota. After the embarrassment of the DM&E loan rejection, a Senate Republican source (who declined to be identified) said: 'One can hope this episode helps Thune recover his revolutionary zeal.' "

This saddens me, but it is the type of thing that makes politics what it is and is why so many of us get fed up with it. I was a contributor to Mr. Thune's campaign when he ran against Tom Daschle. I will contribute no more. Since he is not a politician from my state, I can have little impact on his political office other than my own little purse strings. And he saw to it... to have them snipped ... and I will oblige. Getting out the scissors now.