Stockbroker turned politician, Rep. James Moran illustrates Congressional conflict of interest

Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, brought a swagger to both endeavors, sometimes winning big, sometimes losing big. At times, his investing became so busy it verged on what later came to be known as day trading.

Moran's dual focus illustrates the latitude that every lawmaker has under congressional rules to invest largely as each chooses, a much less regulated approach than what Congress has required for other government officials and private-sector executives. [WAPO]

I do not care whether Rep. Moran has a stock market gambling problem, nor do I care whether or not his "bets" were in small denominations. The fact that he has admitted to accepting $75,000 in payments from a lobbyist and an AOL big-wig should get him fired.

Compound his daytime gambling behavior on his taxpayer-paid-salary, and his acceptance of "gifts", with the revelation that two companies (General Dynamics and BAE Systems) he held stock in magically received a visit from the Congressional Tooth Fairy to the tune of $3.2 million ... What will it take to get this worthless sleazebag fired?

Congress epitomizes "Do as I say, not as I do".