Neither party is going to enjoy having to explain how Washington really does business.

I think we'll definetly see a long string of indictments and/or finger pointing. If the number of congresspersons involved is as high as I've heard, this could go on for a while. If nothing else, it will have a huge effect on the upcoming elections.

I believe republicans need to seperate themselves from the whole thing as quickly as possible. In order to do this, and improve thier standing with voters, they need to start pushing legislation now. A great first step would be to completely do away with earmarks. An earmark is an addition to a bill that earmarks an amount of money to a certain project, usually some pork that a lobbyist has pushed for.

After that, perhaps adding a law that requires a certain amount of time between when a bill is printed and when it is voted on. You'd be sadly surprised at the low number of bills that are actually read by congress before they are approved.

Ted Kennedy suggested, and I agree, that there should be limitations put on how one can lobby while the congress in session. This could include doing away completely with parties in D.C. thrown by lobbyists.

The matter of personal gifts is kind of a sticky one. If a congressperson visits a high school in thier area they should be allowed to accept a gift from the high school, it would seem kind of rude to have to refuse these kinds of gifts and would take the personalism out of the job. There should be limits on the amount gifts cost, or perhaps on who can give them. The sticky part for me is having to decide who the "good guys" are and who the "bad guys" are.

The term "culture of corruption" is being thrown around a lot lately, and is an adequate description of much of what goes on in D.C., but I think it also leads people to think that we should accept it because that's just the way things are. I think we all can agree, on both sides of the aisle, that our culture is not one that accepts corruption as a part of life. Americans do not value corruption, we, for the most part hold moral standards that directly oppose corruption. We should all take up this cause, because if this is as widespread as it appears to be, then "we the people" are not being represented in government. Our needs and best interests are being put on a far back burner and simple greed is deciding our futures, the futures of our children, planet, etc.

The line between politician and lobbyist has become incredibly blurred lately, which I think is a big part of the problem. Many people are getting out of politics to become lobbyists because that's simply where the money is.

The one and only true solution, I think, is for voters to be more informed about who they are voting for. Stop focusing on one or two issues and start finding out what kind of person they are.

Here's a couple ideas:

• No congress person currently in office can run for re-election.
• All future elections will be funded solely through public contribution. i.e. No private donations will be allowable to support a run for elected office. All candidates will receive equal public funding.

I am bothered and saddened by, and fearful of, this state of politics.

The federal government should (and constitutionally will) protect the right to bear arms by organized militias (i.e. the States' National Guards) but not necessarily by private citizens.

Corruption in congress is unacceptable. Please make every effort possible to root out illegal, unethical improprietous financial doings and goings on.

It is time that today's congress men and women wake up and realize their sole fundamental duty - to serve the People of the USA. Financial speculations should come only when every last man, woman and child in the USA is "taken care of" - i.e. when we are guaranteed appropriate food, shelter, education and employment, etc. requirements - PERIOD. It is disgusting to me to see so many politicians getting rich on the coattails of public office holdership.