I'll Take the High Road

This is not the way I would have Republicans start their new term as leaders across the board.

From the New York Times:

"Spurred by an investigation connected to the majority leader, House Republicans voted Wednesday to abandon an 11-year-old party rule that required a member of their leadership to step aside temporarily if indicted."

Apparently, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay might be indicted by a partisan D.A. in Texas involving the illegal use of corporate money towards congressional races. It is not clear whether DeLay may be involved or not - in fact, it seems as a reach to try to connect him with these charges. Yet, the problem at question is that an 11-year old rule that was made by Republicans in 1993 to highlight legal troubles of big name Democrats is now being revised. Instead, it only mandates leaders who have been convicted to step down from their posts - not just indicted.

While this seems the more logical and plausible revision to the rule, this is the wrong time to change the rule. This can only be seen as a partisan switch of the rules when they don't seem to favor your side. Such a double standard should be condemned by both parties alike. And while I admire those Republicans who did see the error in committing this act I am ashamed at the number who took the low road by voting to change it.

The point is this: DeLay means alot to the Republican party for his strong leadership, yet it is not worth risking ethics in the face of bogus inditement charges that probably won't even stick. Even more so, the rule needs to be changed but the change should have come about way before the possible indictment or wait until this thing blows over. It was a bad, dumb rule - but once that rule is there you must live and die by it, not wait for one of your own to be burned by it and then change it. Double standards in any situation are bad, I do not care what political party/ideology you belong to. In order for our country to move forward and mend the bitter partisanship instances such as this one need not come about. I don't know which road you'll take, but as for me, I'll take the high road.