FDAs Useful Fool under Investigation

Lester Crawford, the former head of FDA who was responsible for killing the Plan B pill, is under criminal investigation. This paragon of Republican virtue apparently did a little insider trading on his position during his brief but checkered tenure.

Dr. Crawford resigned in September, fewer than three months after the Senate confirmed him. He said then that it was time for someone else to lead the agency.

The next month, financial disclosure forms released by the Department of Health and Human Services showed that in 2004 either Dr. Crawford or his wife, Catherine, had sold shares in companies regulated by the agency when he was its deputy commissioner and acting commissioner. He has since joined a Washington lobbying firm, Policy Directions Inc.

Ah that revolving door from inside Capitol Hill directly to K Street. Crawford did his job for the White House. The base didn't want Plan B and he made sure they didn't get it. Then he hops over to the other side of the street and will make a ton of money exploiting the favors he earned while doing the administration's dirty work.

It's well past time to nail that door shut. Two year waiting periods are not enough. Ten years might prove more of a deterrent to the corrruption that has become so commonplace inside the beltway today.