I don't know if the FBI's raid on Democratic Rep. William Jefferson's Capitol office violates the Constitution's separation of powers clause or not. Majority Leader John Boehner calls the search an "invasion of the legislative branch," while House Speaker Dennis Hastert maintains that it violated "the independence of the Legislative Branch." And that's just the reaction from the Republican side of the aisle. Democrat Congressmen are, naturally, even more outraged.

This issue unites Democrat and Republican officeholders. Ironically, as Democrats and Republicans unite on the Hill, Democrats and Republicans off the Hill unite against them. This is not a partisan divide, but a divide between lawmakers and constituents. Americans are outraged that congressmen commit crimes with impunity. In recent weeks, America has been witness to one congressman allegedly striking a police officer and another driving under the influence. The message? Lawmakers are above the law. The message of the FBI's raid on Congressman Jefferson's office? No, lawmakers are not above the law.

Leaving aside the matter of the legality of the FBI's raid for more astute legal minds, the political judgment in condemning the raid in such stark terms seems, particularly in light of the Cynthia McKinney and "Patches" Kennedy cases, questionable at best. But perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at such a reaction from people who aren't held accountable, in courthouses or at the ballot box.

Seriously, why are Republicans refusing to just shut up and let this dumb$hit sink himself? Why do that have to say anything? So, it seems pretty clear that Jefferson is guilty of something. The investigation is ongoing... therefore no comment is required. It just seems like conservatives can't get anything right these days. Sheesh.

These people are the new American Aristocracy. They are accountable to few and play by their own set of rules. Why else would they not be part of wonderful plans such as Social Security whilst laying it on us?

Being immune to the laws and standards they set for us is just part of the deal.

Look, brothaz be keepin' dey money in da freezer all the time! Ain't no thang! Why he gotta be guilty?

Congress being immune to the laws they set for us isn't a necessarily bad thing, at least it would conform to the rationale for separation of powers. For example, the Gingrich Revolution and Contract w/ America made much about making the OSHA and Civil Rights laws, etc., apply to Congress. But what that meant was that suddenly the Executive Branch bureaucracies had an incredible tool w/ which to pressure Congressmen. Don't have enough votes to pass your immigration bill Mr. President?, well, just sick justice on recalcitrant congressmen for sex discrimination in staffing. I am not saying any presidents have made use of this power of extortion, the docility of Congress is so assured that they probably haven't needed the extra leverage.

So this current episode is just more proof that the concept of separation of powers is defunct and the Republic is dead. We are basically ruled by a form of Caesarism, w/ the executive branch (President but also his bureacratic Leviathan) calling the shots.

A republic has to have legislative superiority to mean anything (as laws must rule, hence, lawmakers) but this is just a symptom of how irreversibly far our govt has gone.

Sure Congress has been complicit in their demise all along but that doesn't make this any less bitter a state of affairs.

How is it the Executive Branch is overstepping their bounds when it was the Judiciary that granted the search warrant. To me that seems like the separation of powers is working just fine.

Where is the outrage from the "mainstream" media?
If this would have been a conservative instead of the leftist Jefferson, the media would be out for blood. Their hypocrisy is incredible!
I am also waiting for the race hustlers, Jesse Jackson,Al Sharpton,etc. to start playing the race card. I guess they are waiting until Jefferson's trial.
Democrats love to talk about the culture of corruption,however, the Louisiana Democrats wrote the book on corruption.

I agree with the above poster, the Republicans should keep their mouths shut and let the process take care of itself.