Not immigration. Bribery. With the recent admission of guilt by Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (no relation to my brother), the questions about politics, ethics and how widespread is the corruption in US politics, are coming to the surface again. A CSMonitor opinion stated:

“Almost every US lawmaker takes big money aimed at helping private interests win favorable government action. If they stash the cash for themselves, it’s illegal. If they use it to get reelected, keep their job, and help the private interests, it’s generally legal.Either way, money still talks in Washington and the legal/illegal distinction gets easily blurred in all the backroom dealings with private interests…

No wonder dictators laugh at US demands for representative democracy. They can easily point to American democracy’s big failing: allowing the well-monied to corrupt lawmakers by dictating government actions - either legally or illegally.”

The only other thing getting lost in the bribery scandal is the insight from “Duke” Cunningham’s contrition. In Tuesday’s LA Times article, he was quoted as saying,

“I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my high office,” Cunningham, 63, said outside the federal courthouse. “I know I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation [and] my high office.”

I’m not sure if he is truly contrite or not. Not my place to determine. What I do think is significant is his understanding of responsibility and forfeiture of “freedom, reputation & office.” I think the admission of guilt - and the subsequent acknowledgment of consequences - is one of the most difficult things for the human heart.