The damage remains

by James K. Galbraith

Tom DeLay is history, but it would take many years to rebuild the House of Representatives as a proud democratic institution.

Texans for Public Justice - yes, dear readers, we have such organizations - issued a short statement on the news that Tom DeLay is leaving Congress. Here it is in full:

How the mighty have fallen. The man who perfected the art of buying political offices now cannot buy his own seat in his own backyard at any price. K Street has thoroughly nauseated Main Street.

The glee is justified but my reaction barely rises to grim enjoyment. I grew up on the staff of the House of Representatives. I remember what it used to be like.