Graft the good way

Critics accusing the GOP of using Iraq for their profiteering and get-richer-quick schemes will be happy to learn that Republican lawmakers are hep to equally dubious practices they can enact without ever leaving the comforts of their own state. Prompted by recent maneuvering by California Republican House Rep. Ken Calvert, government watchdogs have gained new interest in the old practice of “Honest Graft” land deals, wherein a lawmaker buys land rendered cheap by zoning laws or other profit-making inconveniences, then influences law changes or federal investing in value-raising developments, thereby allowing the lawmaker to sell the land for fantastic profits.

Calvert’s latest deal involved scoring $5.6-million (U.S.) of taxpayer cash to see a transit system built within walking distance of seven of his California properties. The House Ethics Committee decided Calvert’s actions were on the up-and-up because other landowners would profit along with him. This isn’t Calvert’s first time using his influence to fat his pigs, nor is he the only one doing it. The list of other “Honest Grafters” include former Republican speaker of the house Dennis Hastert, California Rep. Gary Miller, Alaskan Senators Lisa Murkowski and Ted Stevens, Alaskan Rep. Don Young and even a couple of Democrats.

by SCOTT SAXON