Imagine, if tomorrow morning, you woke to find a news report that the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee was given a credit card by Exxon that allowed he and his wife to buy their gasoline at a discounted price, with more than $75,000 in savings, over the life of the card.  And further, imagine the Senator had gotten the discount card, unavailable to everyone else, by talking directly with the CEO of Exxon.  

Take this one step further and imagine this Senator actually sets the taxation and policy rules for Exxon as the head of the Senate Energy Committee.

There would be outrage, right?  Calls for investigations would be heard throughout the land.  In fact, there would likely be calls for the Senator to resign.

Well the above scenario has actually occurred, with just a slightly different twist.

Senator Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking committee, received a "special" VIP mortgage loan from Countrywide Financial.    In fact, he secured the loan from the CEO of Countrywide.  As background, it's important to understand that Countrywide is at the heart of the mortgage crisis going on in America today.  They played fast and loose in the mortgage industry with their lending practices.  And now, they face a real financial crisis in their bank.

The special VIP loan that Senator Dodd got DIRECTLY from the CEO of Countrwide saved the Senator nearly $75,000 over the life of the mortgage.

And guess who's writing the laws to help bail out Countrywide?  Why none other than Senator Chris Dodd!

Is there outrage?  Has the Majority leader of the US Senate called for an investigation of the matter?  Has Senator Dodd been asked to resign?    The answer to each of those questions is 'NO".

There exists a Senate Ethics committee.  But it appears the activity of Senator Dodd does not rise to the level to warrant their involvement. 

I guess Senator Dodd only has to appear before the Ethics Committee if he kills someone.......or is a Republican.