Of course, everyone in Texas knows the Texas Five - the hapless five Democratic House members targeted through redistricting for elimination. Thanks to Tom DeLay and his crookery, such men as Charlie Stenholm, Martin Frost, Max Sandlin, and Nick Lampson were tossed out on their ear. In their stead, Louis Gohmert, Ted Poe, Randy Neugebaur, and Pete Sessions now represent Texas (note: Sessions was actually already in the House, his redistricting pitted him against Martin Frost).

Now that a bit of time has passed, let's see how these honorable men are taking care of Texas:

Louis Gohmert - for the price of $10,000, Tom DeLay bought himself a truly faithful lackey. 98% of the time, Gohmert votes the way DeLay tells him to. Gohmert voted twice to weaken ethics rules to protect his Big Daddy Tom.

Ted Poe - an even better deal for DeLay because it only cost him $5,000. Again, this DeLay Lackey backed his master 98% of the time. Just like his DeLay Brother Gohmert, Poe voted twice to weaken the ethics rules to protect Big Daddy.

Randy Neugebaur - Tom got ripped off here. It cost him $15,000 to bring in only 94% of the votes he wants. While Randy voted to weaken ethics rules to protect Big Daddy, once the issue became a cable TV favorite, he flip-flopped to save face. Too bad it will be his butt on the line for being Big Daddy's least dependable goon.

Pete Sessions - although there was really no need for it, Petey took $26,644 from Tommy-boy . In return for the cash, Petey voted to weaken the ethics rules to protect his pal. Like Neugey, Petey only cares about ethics when the TV is watching. To do penance for his misdeeds, Petey donated $5,000 to DeLay's legal defense fund.

It seems to me that it would be easier, and cheaper, to just pass a law that lets Tom DeLay represent the whole state.

Of course, that would take action by the State Lege - and we all know the likelihood of the Lege doing anything but giving pay raises is non-existant.


Rabid conservatism defeats itself!