The Tale of Two Stevens

Hey Ryan,

So, I'm watching the Rachel Maddow Show and she brings up a point that I forgot about regarding newly-convicted felon Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

You know, the guy who is a friend of Sarah Palin's?

Anyway, the point Maddow brought up was that Stevens can still run for re-election to his Senate seat. There's no law against that. Let me say that again...there's no law against Stevens being a convicted felon (on charges that are directly related to his "service" in the Senate) and running for re-election.

So, here's the tale of two Stevens...the one who can run for a Senate seat...and the one who can't vote. That's right, Stevens wouldn't be able to even cast a vote for himself! Can that be right? And, if it is, should it be right?

Is it any wonder, with these kinds of rules, that corruption runs rampant in our government? Also, should crimes like Stevens' make us reconsider term limits in the Senate? I mean, the brand of corruption that guys like Stevens tend to get involved with stems from being entrenched in the halls of power, being the go-to guy for corporate friends that will always be there as long as he can trick his constituents into voting for him.

Charles