While political posturing and fingerpointing by congressional and Senate hearing members goes on unabated, voters should not overlook the similarities between oil trading magnet Marc Rich and Enron energy trader Kenneth Lay.

Kenneth Lay and Enron executives profited from the defunct energy giant, leaving employees and investors in the lurch. Marc Rich dominated the oil spot market and evaded paying $93 million in taxes.

Indeed, both are suspected of committing crimes, however, Marc Rich was pardoned by his friend President Bill Clinton just before leaving office, and the heat is still on the Bush administration for being friends with Kenneth Lay and taking his political contributions.

Still, most of the Congress received Enron bucks and that's what campaign finance reform is supposed to be about. Problem is, nothing much will change the unfair advantage heavyweight political donors and incumbents.

And little or nothing will change the disparity between the powerful who get their hands slapped for stealing tens of millions of dollars from unsuspecting people and taxpayers, and ordinary folk who go to prison for taking a few bucks. That is, until voters decide to change things with more democracy.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center

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