Whether you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, Independent or something in between, you must be sadly aware that Texas Congressman Tom DeLay is in serious trouble with the House ethics committee.

What did DeLay do that broke the long-standing ethics truce between House Democrats and Republicans?

In 2003, DeLay engineered (some say gerrymandered) a redistricting that will add Republican members to the Texas congressional delegation. To accomplish this, he created “Texans for a Republican Majority,” a political action committee that solicited and spent $1.5 million to get Republicans elected to the state legislature. Once elected, the new Republican legislators would be expected to push DeLay’s redistricting plan.

That same year, the Washington Post linked Mr. DeLay and three other members of Congress to a $56,500 campaign contribution from executives of Topeka-based Westar Energy Inc. An internal Westar e-mail explained that the company wanted a “seat at the table” of a congressional committee considering pending energy legislation in order to have a provision inserted that would greatly benefit the company and its executives. The e-mail stated Mr. DeLay’s “agreement is necessary before the House conferees can push the language we have in place in the House bill” and went on to say: “We have $11,500 in immediate needs for a group of candidates associated with Tom DeLay, Billy Tauzin, Joe Barton and Sen. Richard Shelby.” Thirteen Westar officers gave $31,500 to the designated candidates and the company gave $25,000 to Mr. DeLay’s PAC.

On April 3, 2001, the Associated Press reported that Mr. DeLay was making recorded calls to small business owners promising them meetings with administration officials in exchange for a $20,000 contribution for membership in his Business Advisory Council.

Although the ethics committee later dismissed charges of bribery and special favors, it rebuked DeLay on the Westar matter and for asking the Federal Aviation Administration last year to track a private plane carrying Texas lawmakers in the midst of the redistricting fight.

DeLay was also admonished for having promised to personally support retiring House member Nick Smith’s son in his bid for a seat in Congress in exchange for Mr. Smith’s favorable vote on the Medicare prescription drug bill. The ethics panel put aside the most serious charge – that Mr. DeLay illegally laundered campaign money to help Texas Republicans – because of a state investigation in which three DeLay aides have been indicted.

DeLay personally responded to the ethics committee’s chastisement by going on the offensive, accusing his accusers of libel and the bipartisan panel that judged him of mistreating him.

Some Republicans believe the ethics rebukes have implications far more serious than what appears to others as a simple slap on the wrist: DeLay could suffer if he tries to become speaker of the House. As the second-ranking leader, DeLay will automatically be considered a potential successor should Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., retire in 2006, as many lawmakers expect.

Still other Republicans have responded to DeLay’s troubles by rallying around their stricken comrade. “People are grateful for what he’s done to build the majority,” said Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, including the Texas redistricting fight at the center of some of the ethics complaints.

In addition to rallying, it appears that a few GOP members are striking out by turning an accusing finger toward others. The Michigan Republican Party recently asked prosecutors in four counties to file charges against Michael Moore, the producer of the controversial film “Fahrenheit 9/11,” for offering underwear and food to college students in exchange for a promise to vote. State law prohibits a person from contracting with another for something of value in exchange for agreeing to vote.

Moore is touring the country and imploring “slackers” who usually don’t vote to make the effort to do so this year. During each program, habitual nonvoters are invited on stage to pledge to vote. First-time student voters are offered gag prizes such as clean underwear.

Prosecutors in Isabella, Ingham and Antrim counties said they determined action against Moore was not warranted. The harshest reaction to the GOP request came from two prosecutors, Antrim County’s Charles Koop and Isabella County’s Larry Burdick – both Republicans. In a letter to Greg McNeilly, executive director of the state Republican Party, Koop said, “Alleging that a person is attempting to buy votes is a serious allegation, and one that is taken seriously by this office. However, your request to prosecute Mr. Moore trivializes the intent of this section of the election code.”

Whether the actions of the Michigan GOP were serious, simply misguided or executed as much needed comic relief in a hard fought election year, is left to you, the reader, to decide.

On the other hand, if you believe that democracy depends, at least in part, on the integrity of its leaders, Rep. Tom DeLay’s repeated contemptuous behavior is no trivial matter and demands a strong response, including possible censure, from the full Congress.

Guy Bourrie has been hauling on the highways for 20 years. He lives in Washington, Maine, and can be reached at redhaven@pivot.net.

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