The creeping feeling of guilt

What must it feel like to work under a constant worry of being found out? Republicans are the experts on this question as of recently.

The natural instinct is escape trouble, perhaps placing blame elsewhere or lying about your actions. Imagine dragging into work everyday having to constantly look over your shoulder, playing out situations and conversations in your head. What will the media do to me? Maybe you can get your friends to cover for you. Will I have to resign? The stress must be painful.

The creeping feeling of guilt is stirring Washington. Who is responsible for leaking Valerie Plame's CIA identity?

Karl Rove and Robert Novak have maneuvered their way to put an innocent woman in jail over the CIA leak: Judith Miller, a NY Times reporter sent to jail because she would not reveal her source - because confidentiality needed to be defended (Miller's boss at the NY Times sent out a memo this week analyzing what he could have done to stick up for his reporter - he's feeling it too).

Rove is not yet indicted. But he's surely expecting it. The extended investigation of Rove's involvement in the CIA leak means that he will now have to wait in expectation longer to hear his fate.

Another Republican has already heard his fate. Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was indicted today and as this is being written, he has handed in his resignation. Early reports are saying he is tied to the CIA leak and he was under investigation for nearly two years, leading to today's indictment. If convicted on all charges, he faces 30 years in prison.

Yet another Republican, Tom DeLay was indicted and stepped down as majority leader of the House. Political money has a paper trail, and DeLay knew better than to funnel it around. Behind the candid smiling mug shot picture, DeLay is facing the death of his political career.

Republicans are loosing their grip on the nation, losing power, and facing political death and jail time. What a horrible feeling it must be...knowing that you're not as cunning and politically astute as you thought.

Here's a simple suggestion for dealing with that feeling: end the corruption, please.