While waiting my turn in the barber shop I overheard several people discussing corrupt administrations.  One claimed the Nixon administration was the most corrupt.  Another claimed that Grant’s administration with its bribery scandals was the worst.

After my haircut I retreated to a local bar to restore my mind and to free it from the overheard trivia. However, at the bar one very tall man was leaning across the bar wagging his finger at the bartender.

            “I tell you Charlie,” he said, “the Harding administration with millions in bribery from oil executives for the right to drill in “Teapot Dome” was the most corrupt by far.”

            Way at the end of the bar a wizened old man with shoulder length white hair and beard with the help of his cane wobbled over to the tall man.

            “I’ve been listening to you two now for over a half an hour,” he said, “and it is apparent to me that neither of you knows what he is talking about.  Do either of you ever read a newspaper? The most corrupt administration is the one in Washington right now. Their Halliburton affair makes all of the corruption in the other administrations looks like pocket change. We’re talking billions not millions. Yes sir boys, this administration is without a doubt the most corrupt in history and also the dumbest. Check it out.”

            I quickly finished my drink and headed home for my curiosity was overwhelming and I had to find out which administration was really the most corrupt.

            I quickly discovered that it depends upon what you mean by “corrupt”. If you’re talking about crooked officials then the Clinton administration was the most corrupt.  If, however, you are speaking about money and bribery and fraud then the Bush administration clearly leads the pack with the Halliburton scandal way out in front with billions being swindled.  Grant’s administration with thousands taken in bribery like the Harding and Nixon’s, represent petty theft compared to the Halliburton affair with billions swindled and millions more each day. So trying to decide which administration was or is the most corrupt is an exercise in sheer futility.

James Heth


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