Dionne on DeLay

EJ Dionne has a new op-ed on the DeLay case. It's worth reading in full but here's the money grafs.

...this case cannot be viewed apart from other aspects of the DeLay empire. He extended his influence by muscling lobbying firms to hire Republicans of his choosing and to ostracize Democrats. DeLay's majority happily invited in lobbyists to help write bills. The Medicare prescription drug benefit is far more expensive than it has to be because of big concessions to drug companies and HMOs. Tax bills are littered with very specific loopholes to benefit very specific interests.

DeLay's personal fate will be decided in court, but the larger issues raised by his case must be adjudicated by voters at election time. Republicans can already see the outlines of a 2006 Democratic campaign waged against cronyism, corruption and ineptitude. If ever Republican reformers had an opening for an insurrection against their party's deeply flawed power structure -- Sen. John McCain and Reps. Zach Wamp, Chris Shays and Mike Castle are among those who could lead the rebellion -- this is it. To save their party, Republicans will have to bring down the machine.

Indeed. To save the country, Republicans will have to bring down the machine. It's more dangerous to our way of life than any terrorist could hope to be.