Lies. Corruption. Thievery. Influence peddling. All of these words describe the growing scandal sweeping Congress and the Bush administration. This scandal threatens to expose for millions how deals between big business interests and the capitalist government are made.

In the United States, the entire political system functions to enrich the wealthiest sector of the population—the owning class of bankers and corporate big shots. Corporate lobbyists play an essential role as liaisons between their clients and the government, getting millions of dollars to influence legislation to meet their clients’ needs.

But [Abramoff's] true crime, in the eyes of the bourgeoisie, was that he overstepped his bounds with the sheer amount of fraud he committed in recent years.

A portion of the bourgeoisie is not only upset at his excesses, they seek to push down the costs of doing business in Washington. These capitalist bosses want to send a message to corporate lobbyists that they do not like the ever-skyrocketing operating costs.

As long as profits can be ensured by buying off politicians, politics will be dirty and corrupt. This is a fundamental feature of government under capitalism. It is necessary to go beyond the confines of the bourgeois discourse about the Abramoff scandal and use it to expose the rotten nature of capitalism.

To get rid of people like Jack Abramoff and everyone he was able to buy and sell throughout his career, a new system is needed—one where no profit motive or ultra-rich ruling class exists.

The problem is not a rogue president or a rogue party, the problem is a rogue system. The same system that creates and nurtures corruption in DC also invades countries based on lies and pretends torture is ethically defensible. All the parts are linked, it’s the system, not the people, that needs to be changed.

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Bush, Chertoff warned before Katrina

But this isn’t really news, is it, Bush being caught in lies. What is unusual is his uncomprehending and contemptuous attitude towards it all. He asked no questions at the briefing when told levees could breach, told them “we are fully prepared”, then lied to the US public saying “”I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees”

What a contemptible person he is. How many died because of his uncaring? Is anyone in Congress (hello Democrats!) attacking Bush for his criminal neglect? Well of course not. The Republicans are too busy re-arranging the deck chairs on their sinking ship while Democrats squeak mouse-like about having to “choose their fights”, however I don’t recall any fights they’ve actually chosen to participate in, do you?

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At first I thought this was some strange satire or parody, or maybe an impersonation of Willie. It’s not, it really is him. The song was written 20 years ago. Nelson did a song for “Brokeback Mountain” and just released “Secret Cowboys” on iTunes, a bold move even for an icon like him. But then, he’s never much cared for convention.

“Secret Cowboys” lyrics include:

There’s many a strange impulse out on the plains of West Texas/There’s many a young boy who feels things he don’t comprehend

There’s many a cowboy who don’t understand the way that he feels towards his brother/ Inside every cowboy there’s a lady who’d love to slip out.

Well a cowboy may brag about things that he does with his women/ But the ones who brag loudest are the ones that are most likely queer.

Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other/ That’s why they wear leather, and Levi’s and belts buckled tight.

Watch the video

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From The Independent

Judges in Milan will press charges against Tessa Jowell’s [she is Culture Secretary] husband, David Mills, and the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, in connection with a $600,000 (£300,000) bribery scandal.

Just as Whitehall sources predicted the Culture Secretary would be cleared but left critically wounded by the findings of a cabinet inquiry into her role in the affair - to be revealed today - Italian sources said there was sufficient evidence to try the two men.

BlairWatch comments on the sleazy doings of the Labour Party,
Labour Spin, and its Contempt for Us

This bribery investigation will rattle the ruling class in two countries. With any luck, some of them will go to prison. Good. Their contempt for the law and the public is obvious.

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