Corruption set on concrete.

• Author: Harding, David-Michael
• Position: Literary Scene

"Congress argued the validity of lies ... as its approval ratings hit historic lows, in contrast to indictments and ethics investigations that soared to new highs. Still, nothing changed, as the fox continued to guard the henhouse and, when trapped, was judged by other foxes."

THE JUMOR HIGH SCHOOL field trips to the U.S. Capitol Building had nearly all been canceled. It was too expensive for school districts struggling to meet basic needs, balance wayward budgets, not raise taxes, and still field a football team. Security was Jack Benny tight. Transportation was impossible with traffic constrained to no vehicles larger than an open pickup truck for fear of diesel soaked fertilizer bombs masquerading as Ryder trucks. Concrete barriers dotted the streets. Heavily armed patrols roamed. Monetary woes meshed with fear and the concrete barricades to relegate U.S. history and government to virtual tours.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in safety and security upgrades yielded a return on investment that would not register via anyone's definition. Despite the additional layers of protection afforded the sitting Congress, many members continued to cite personal over national security concerns. They were pushing through a measure that would permit them to be armed while elementary school teachers were still throwing themselves over their students when gunfire erupted outside their classrooms.

Congress argued the validity of lies--one side of the aisle terming proposals as political posturing while the other screamed coverup--as its approval ratings hit historic lows, in contrast to indictments and ethics investigations that soared to new highs. Still, nothing changed, as the fox continued to guard the henhouse and, when trapped, was judged by other foxes. So, the status quo remained and political gridlock settled in as the norm. The notion of transparency vanished like campaign promises that disappeared as quickly as the trash was cleaned up following the parade to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and the swearing in of a new Congress.

The day might have been just another day in the campaign cycle that never truly ends. Donors were courted and tit-for-tat political favors and votes traded like so much Monopoly money. The eyes of the legislators ignored the contents of bills coming to the floor. Instead, they focused on the contents of their campaign war chest, the juggling of contributions verses pathetic campaign finance law, and personal business interests listed in their spouses or children's names. It was an old story dating back to the first days Pres. Ulysses S. Grant was accosted in the lobby of his hotel as he waded through requests for favors on his way to work.

This morning there was a soft rumbling careening...