When "wrong" equals getting caught

From yesterday's headlines...

Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—
they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier,
the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. Micah 7:3-4

From today's headlines...

The scandal washing around Rod Blagojevich, the Illinois Governor, has sent ripples of unease through an American political establishment that has long traded favours or appointments for campaign donations.

Some suspect that the only difference between the traditional deal-making that lubricates Washington and the effort to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat was that the Governor got caught.

In an environment where one's last name is considered a serious credential for high office, should we be surprised at such favor trading between ruling families? No. Should we tolerate it? No. But the penalties for engaging in it are so low, and the inhibition of public shame so absent that there is no incentive for correct behavior in office anymore.

I'll say it again: this experiment appears to be ending, and not well.