CAESAR'S WIFE

This morning's news carried a story of our Congress "waxing clean" by hastily passing, from the depths of gridlock, a bill that will prohibit "themselves" from "insider trading".  Sweet Jesus!; it's about time!  Louise Slaughter has been sojourning in the wilderness over this for years, with no sympathy or support from her fellow legislators.

This story gets better, however, in that House Speaker Boehner and his clique decided to insert a jab at former House Speaker Pelosi.  It is referred to as "the Pelosi provision", to prohibit member participation in IPOs (initial public offerings).  It has been reported that her husband participated in a Visa IPO.

This is use of a spouse to get at one's political enemy.  It rattles the ghost of Pompeia!  That famous spouse was required to be "above suspicion".   Let us be reminded that it was Speaker Boehner, not his spouse, who was reported to have distributed checks from lobbyists on the floor of the House of Representatives!  Oh, the stink of politics.

Louise Slaughter gave credit on the news to Steve Croft and Sixty Minutes for spawning the events cited above.  Churchill is right again, in a way.  He said the "Americans" will do the right thing, but not until they've tried everything else.  It seems here, that we finally are getting something right.

The President, in his State of the Union speech, opened the door to the House action.  It is also reported that the Senate passed its bill first; it did not include what has been called the "Pelosi" provision.  That "Millionaire's Club" will have to swallow hard to keep such a provision in the bill as it goes to the President's desk.  Anybody taking bets?

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