Recently, I was made aware of some interesting news pertaining to some unethical practices of many of the most elite lobbyists in Washington. The interesting part is how interconnected these powerful lobbyists are with many prominent representatives.

It seems like a spider web of corruption that really has no ending in sight. I guess you could look at it like the sexual web here at Michigan State; how most MSU students are in one way or another interconnected through their sex partners.

The same thing can be appropriately applied here with the politicians who are in bed with these crooked lobbyists. Eventually they are all sleeping in the same bed. Of course, they get the better deal because instead of getting a sexually transmitted disease, they are receiving millions of dollars. But chances are, they're still not getting laid.

Back in midwinter of 2004, a story surfaced about lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who had been manipulating and overcharging American Indian tribes throughout the country, including one here in Michigan.

The story surfaced after an investigation by the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which is chaired by one of the few Republicans I respect, Sen. John McCain.

The committee had stockpiles of incriminating information on how Abramoff and many other lobbyists were overcharging the tribes they were lobbying for and manipulating tribal elections so they could continue their dirty deeds.

A little more than a week ago, another one of Abramoff's former colleagues was questioned by the Indian Affairs Committee on his part and others in this ever-unfolding scandal. Even after this scandal surfaced around Abramoff, this lobbyist has continued to work for a few of the tribes. A few weeks ago, it was lobbyist Kevin Ring's turn to have questions fired at him by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, regarding his practices with several of these American Indian tribes. He was a prior team member of Abramoff's when he had initially been investigated.

Ring and Abramoff, along with many other lobbyists, embezzled thousands, if not millions, of dollars from these tribes by setting the funds up in phony nonprofit organizations and fake bank accounts. They even included hidden fees in their billing of the tribes, fees acquired by them through personal spending.

Here comes the twist: One of the other lobbyists in on the scandal, Tony Rudy, was the former top aide to this country's greatest ally and public servant, good old House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas).

Now, when has DeLay not taken an opportunity to abuse his power? Well, so far the answer is never because again he is directly linked to this scandal.

DeLay went to Scotland with Abramoff on a golfing trip, which had been partially funded by money coming from the tribes Abramoff was representing. There is much evidence that DeLay's connection runs a lot deeper than just golf outings, even though that's enough for me.

Several other prominent politicians have their hands in this money-laundering scheme of Abramoff's and his colleagues, which leads someone to guess how deep this goes and with whom it eventually ends.

This type of story has gotten mundane. It seems the powerful and influential in this country are being busted left and right for their unethical practices, which is good. It is about time we bust the rich and powerful for their crimes. Look at our prisons - we have been nailing the underclass for years. It's about time we diversify our prisons with "suits." This story strikes a sensitive chord because of whom they took advantage of.

There are several e-mails showing how blatantly disrespectful and pompous Abramoff and his accomplices were while using the American Indian tribes and their money. They made fun of how naive the tribes had been for going along with what they had directed them to do. It leads me to question what type of sick and twisted individuals hold power in this country.

American Indians have finally found a niche in our society that has been quite successful economically through their casinos, but they are still being screwed by white men in Washington.

Abramoff, the lobbyists, and the politicians involved used and abused people that have been used and abused for hundreds of years by this country's government and practices, and it's amazing elected officials are in on it. People like them should know better. They should not only be fired, they should be put in prison, but that seems to be wishful thinking.

For DeLay, there is little he could do to sink much lower, but if he does, it doesn't seem to matter because I will say it right now: We will see him as a candidate for president in 2008.

Maybe conservatives like DeLay should read the book that they so easily use to manipulate and win votes in this country, because I think an exorcism is long overdue.

Adam Zebelian is a human biology senior. Reach him at zebelian@msu.edu.