Is Washington Corrupt?

I like many of the things that Senator Edwards says, even though he is not my first, or second, or third choice for president. But I cringe every time I hear him say that Washington is corrupt, as though he's going to be the Lone Ranger or Marshall Matt Dillon riding in to bring the bad guys to justice.

There are a lot of problems in Washington, but I don't believe corruption is anywhere near the top of the list. My experience has been that the great majority of elected politicians and civil service workers in Washington are smart, competent men and women trying their very best to serve the public efficiently and honestly. Yes, there are a few crooks among the bunch, but we have our share of them right here in New Hampshire. I think it demeans all those in government service when Edwards repeatedly refers to Washington as corrupt, and I wish he would change his campaign stump speech to say something good about the good people working in Washington.

If Edwards wants to talk about the undue influence that money plays on the decisions that are made in Washington, I'm all for it. Let's fix that system, but let's not label all who work in Washington as corrupt.