Open for business.

There's a lot of talk about the influence of special interest money over political decisions in Washington. But it's not really such a black-and-white quid pro quo. It's not like lobbyists give lawmakers PAC contributions and take them out to fancy dinners and actually get specific legislative favors in return.

Except for when they do.

Rep. Ney Admits Selling Influence (WP)

Comment from a friend: "How much more could you possibly degrade the halls of Congress. I mean, sure, you could get caught having sex with a donkey in a committee room, and that would be unseemly. But it wouldn't violate the public trust like this."