As obvious as it was before that Alabama is rife in corrupt politicians – skeezy back room deals, pay outs and buyouts, legislation for sale and the like – the fact was only made more obvious Monday when Alabama’s republican Speaker of the House, Mike Hubbard, reported to Lee County Jail.

Naturally, Hubbard denies all the claims, insisting that his indictment is politically motivated and that this is all just a gimmick to sully his name and undermine his campaign.

I once heard a quote in a movie that went like this: “The first time someone calls you a horse, you punch him on the nose; the second time someone calls you a horse you call him a jerk, but the third time someone calls you a horse, well then, perhaps it’s time to go shopping for a saddle.”’

Hubbard has been called a horse 23 times – 23 different felony charges for various versions of corruption, dishonesty and just overall boorishness – so it may well be time to shop for that saddle.

To be fair, Hubbard is only the most recent in a long line of political scum bags who have been lurking the halls of the Alabama state house.

Greg Wen, a Republican from Montgomery, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of using his office for personal gain (ironically, one of Hubbard’s favorite games as well) and was ordered to pay $24,000.

Barry Moore, a Republican from Enterprise, was charged with perjury and giving false statements, specifically to the grand jury.

While this is a disturbing trend for Alabama’s Republican Party, it is even more distressing for the voters of this state.

The fact remains that men like this wield powers that make them nearly invincible to any real persecution – the wrist slaps they have and will receive will do little to stymie the efforts of their minions still creeping through private chambers in Alabama’s houses of government.

But the real sobering realization comes from knowing that Alabamians, in just a couple of weeks, will bum rush the polls and elect people just like this, all over again.

In fact, Hubbard didn’t have to surrender his position in light of his recent indictments and I would be surprised if Alabama voters don’t reelect him.

Some will argue that you shouldn’t rush to judgment, give the process time to work itself out and get all the facts; but friends, the same system that will be working these facts out is the same system that has bred and fostered scalawags of this nature for as long as this state has existed.

For every Hubbard, Wren and Moore that get caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar, there are a dozen more just like them still wheeling and dealing behind voters’ backs.

It’s hard to imagine the kind of apathy or ignorance it takes to reelect villains of this nature but, somehow, the wool continues to get pulled and the rats are unleashed year after year.

This year’s elections are only two weeks away – do we really want people of Hubbard’s ilk representing us, speaking for us, working for us?

Be sure to take all of this into account when you venture into your local polling place Nov. 4 – I’m willing to bet, if you’ll breathe deep and keep your eyes wide open, you’ll be able to spot the rats on the ballot.

Crossposted from Piece of Mind.

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