I have had about all I can take of myself.
-S.N. Behrman (1893-1973) on reaching the age of 75

Congress House Softens Its Ethics Rules

It's just an erosion of the gift rule that is not justifiable. It's a major retreat. It was done in a stealth fashion without any public scrutiny.
I don't think anyone can be bought for a piece of pizza, but I think it looks bad. Part of our job is to avoid the appearance of evil, as well as evil.
A separate change would allow any charity certified by the Internal Revenue Service to reimburse members for ‘travel and lodging expenses’ for events where the net proceeds go toward the charity. Common Cause's Simon said this would return Congress to an era where lawmakers traveled to lavish resorts, often to play golf for free.
· Greek Democratic Gift [Washingtonpost]

Taxes Seriously Dumb Tax Cut

One interesting aspect of the Seriously Dumb Tax Cut we are watching develop in Washington is that we are simultaneously witnessing the effects of Seriously Dumb Tax Cuts at the state level. The states are plotzing right and left, caught in hideous binds -- whether it is better to release dangerous prisoners or cut back the schools, cut back health care for kids or nursing homes for old folks.
Politically, it's notoriously difficult to oppose tax cuts precisely because the trouble doesn't show up until after the next election, but this time we have are having our noses rubbed in the results even as Bush proposes to do it again at the federal level.
· Plotzing right and left [Working For Change]