Ted Stevens, the Republican Senator from Alaska for the last 40 years has been convicted on seven counts of corruption for accepting a string of home renovations from an oil executive and lying about it.  Each count carries a maximum of 5 years in jail, tallying his possible time in the slammer at 35 years, which will never happen.  The 84 year old politician has stubbornly and defiantly declared his innocence as he still vows to win reelection next Tuesday against Mark Begich.  If he does pull off the victory despite this nagging little PR hit, he will be able to serve, as there is no rule keeping felons from serving in the Senate. 

Since corrupt politicians consistently get rewarded for stealing from their constituents, I can understand Stevens’ outright defiance and anger towards the justice he has finally met.  “I am innocent,” he declared.  “I ask that Alaskans and my Senate colleagues stand with me as I pursue my rights.  I will come home Wednesday and ask for your vote.”  Now, why would anyone vote to reelect a convicted felon fresh off his guilty verdicts to serve in the Senate for their state?  I can see why his buddies at VECO Corp that handed him lower priced renovations on his house would vote for him, but how much nerve does Stevens have to leave the courtroom, and tell his constituents at home to vote him, a felon, back into a position to break the law some more? 

Felonies include aggravated assault and/or battery, arson, burglary, illegal drug abuse/sales, embezzlement, grand theft, treason, espionage, racketeering, robbery, murder, rape, kidnapping and fraud.  Stevens’ chances to continue to serve in the Senate are still decent since he’s been there so long and many people don’t vote based off of what their guy will do or has done as a politician.  Amazingly, we’ll rehire a guy that was just found guilty of misusing his power and position 7 days before the election.  Are Americans really this idiotic?  If you discovered your baby sitter was just convicted of kidnapping for ransom, would you be eager to hand them the keys to your front door, escort them to little Johnny’s room, and tell them you’ll be out for the evening?  The political occupation is the only one that this scenario Stevens’ is pulling isn’t considered comical.  Dave Chappelle couldn’t dream of a sketch this insane. 


--JJJ

2 Comments