Congress plays catch up...

Finding 65 separate Republican scandals over the last few months hasn't really been all that difficult, but it's been a little frustrating at times, because Bushco is so damn corrupt that they've overwhelmed Congress, with the administration hogging 48 of the first 64 spots on the Upper Left Scandal Scorecard.

A tip o' the Upper Left green eyeshade, then, to Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), Chair of the House Resources Committee, for helping to restore at least a bit of balance with #65.

WASHINGTON (AP)- A House Democrat said Wednesday a Republican committee chairman broke House rules by mailing more than 175,000 fliers promoting a Bush administration decision to keep the Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks open to snowmobilers.

Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., learned of the fliers - produced and mailed over the last month for $68,081, at taxpayer expense - when a constituent complained last week. Republicans are "using any means possible to promote their agenda, and the re-election of the president," she said.

So, what's the big deal about another Congressional newslettter?

Well, there are the rules, of course, which put severe limits on the ability of members of Congress to use their franking privileges in the 90 days before an election. There are some exceptions for Committee Chairs, who can

"...send "normal and regular business" such as press releases or hearing schedules. The guidelines specifically prohibit sending "a newsletter which is suddenly issued by a committee" during the 90-day cutoff."

So there's that, but what really prompts outrage is this...

"The fliers were sent to 166,000 residents in Minnesota and Wisconsin and to 9,658 residents in Montana and Wyoming."

Why would a Congressman from California dump 166,000 pro-Republican, pro-Bush flyers into the battlegrounds of Minnesota and Wisconsin? Because he can (his Republican staffers reviewed the Republican propaganda and didn't find any problems - how convenient). And because he thinks he can get away with it (and cheers for Betty McCollum for blowing the whistle). Because they'll do any damn crooked thing, big or small, to retain power.

It's an abuse of power and position.

And it's a scandal...like all of these.