While we applaud the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) decision to fine Westar Energy, two of its executives and its Washington, D.C., lobbyist a total of $40,500 for violating political campaign contribution rules, the agency should not close the book on this case yet. Fining the company responsible on one side of this scheme is only half the equation. The other half remains unsolved: What role, exactly, did lawmakers play?

To date, Westar has not released an internal report detailing exactly what happened behind closed doors in 2002 when the company attempted to "get a seat at the table" during energy bill negotiations by giving money to key lawmakers involved in crafting the energy bill, including U.S. Reps. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas).

We know what Westar did, and it has been appropriately fined for such behavior. Now it’s time to investigate the lawmakers who were involved. Westar memos indicate that lawmakers asked the company to make contributions to political allies in exchange for a perk for the company in the energy bill. Did lawmakers initiate and approve this contribution plan, as the memos indicate? The public deserves to know. We urge Westar to release that report and the FEC to investigate the role lawmakers played in this sordid scandal, which smacks of bribery, so that the public has all the facts.

myash07

no one can disaree.

republicans-democrats, congressmen-senators, what's the difference.

bought and paid for by one special interest group or another.

we have the best government money can buy.

Rick, I'm sure some could disagree. But I sure can't!

Well said Rick

Makes me sad for the kids.

Most can tell you all about P Diddy, or just Diddy now. Yet don't have any idea who Patrick Henry was...

Patrick Henry?

What rap group is he with?

Right you are Myash07.Most kids can tell you all about P.Diddy(now just Diddy).I call him Doo-Doo.They can tell you all about Britney Spears or Eminem,but how many of them have ever heard of the egalitarian genius Alexander Hamilton?I'll bet the figure is less than 10%.The early Secretary of the Treasury warned his fellow politicians about the dangers of letting any powerful interest group gaining control over our monetary system.He needn't have bothered.It became a done deal in 1913 when the Rockefellers created and was able to have passed the Federal Reserve Act.The Federal Reserve Bank is a PRIVATE bank which controls almost every aspect of every American citizen's life.Our politicians are bought and sold.Those few who speak of the sanctity of our Constitution and the need to preserve and abide by it are pariahs in Washington and are kept away from any real seats of power.For more info on this read my post "Presidents Refusal to Secure Southern Border" posted on 8/21/05.As Mr.Liddy once said,"When I was a kid this used to be a free country".Many long ashes to you and God bless the United States of America.

Federal Reserve = Money SHPO