The Big Bad Wolfowitz And The Greedy Little Pigs

Maybe it's time for the Republicans to retire the elephant as their mascot and adopt a more fitting symbol: The Pig.

The Associated Press is reporting that a special investigative panel has determined that World Bank President, Paul Wolfowitz, broke bank rules by arranging a pay package and promotion for his girlfriend. Wolfowitz was selected to run the bank by President Bush and approved by the board in June 2005.

This is not the first the high profile job that Mr. Wolfowitz has held. Prior to his position at the World Bank, he was second in command at the Pentagon, and a key architect of the war in Iraq. He is the person who once told a Congressional panel that, "The oil revenues of that country could bring between $50 and $100 billion over the course of the next two or three years."

Or Not So Much . . .

The Wolfowitz situation further reinforces the notion that associates of the President are often corrupt, incompetent, or both.

Let's take a moment and review the honour roll:

Paul Wolfowitz allegedly broke World Bank ethics rules by arranging a favourable pay package and promotion for his girlfriend.

Vice President Richard Cheney was found by the Congressional Research Service to have retained ties to Halliburton where he was once, CEO, after assuming the Office of the Vice President. Halliburton since has been awarded many favourable contracts in Iraq and have admitted to overbilling the government.

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was indicted on two counts of alleged money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Former Representative Duke Cunningham resigned from the House after pleading guilty to accepting at least $2.4 million in bribes and underreporting his income for 2004.

Former Chief of Staff to the Vice President, Lewis Libby was convicted for obstruction of justice, perjury, and for lying under oath in the Valerie Plame affair.

Former FEMA Director Michael Brown sat with his proverbial thumb up his proverbial, um, well never mind, while New Orleans drowned.

Once again, instead of taking a stand for ethics, Mr. Bush chooses to stick up for corruption. White House spokesman Tony Fratto said, "The president continues to strongly support Paul Wolfowitz and believes he should continue to lead the World Bank."

In other words: 'You're doing a heck of a job there, Wolfie.'

If you're disgusted by another round of Republican ethics violation, there's something that you can do about it. Speak out.

E-mail your Senator or Representative and ask them to call for Mr. Wolfowitz's resignation.

E-mail President Bush and demand that he do the same.