The Politics Of Gotcha

There is more disturbing fallout from the Tom Delay indictment from yesterday. Some on Republican Websites seem to be now promoting the politics of " Gothcha", now arguing which Democrats should be charged with crimes and indicted even if no real wrongdoing exists, only an ideological difference on issues.

I never liked the idea of political parties looking for reasons to jail their political opponents. Politics should be about rational debate about differing plans for government. Instead, some of both poltical parties feel that politics should be a "Gothcha" system where political opponents should be rounded up and jailed, just like the systems of China, North Korea or Cuba.

It is true that Tom Delay is a polarizing figure of pure partisanship. He has had bipartisan ethics problems several times before. And he is nicknamed "the hammer" because he is ruthless against political opponents. Yet it seems that a felony charge against someone with this sort of character is very harsh. People like Delay who very well may cut ethical corners should simply stay away from politics and leave the profession up to less negative and partisan persons.

Politics should become more civil. And less "Gothcha" politics would be a great thing to be reduced in American politics. Instead of looking for solutions, some of both parties seem to entertain themselves looking a scandal to blame a politican and possiby ruin the life or career of another political rival. All of this is very unfortunate. But for some, looking for a scandal to ruin the reputatation of another is the new politics in this modern age of computers and other innovations.

Sometimes there is a thin line between a legitimate concern for not allowing corruption in government and promoting "Gotcha" politics. It will interesting seeing where the Delay case goes. And interesting if it creates some more political fallout. My personal feeling is someone intensely partisan like Delay doesn't belong in office. But putting this negative figure in jail or prison is taking things to the next level. This is not healthy, and is a very bad political trend.