Why is Tom Delay Smiling?

Because he has no respect for the law.

In America, it is the law that supposedly keeps the playing field level for rich and poor alike. Many of us know the law is blind (and sometimes even crippled) but in theory we at least believe that through law, injustice can be addressed. Otherwise why would we be proud to be a country of laws?

Tom Delay is a prominent elected official of the Republican party to the branch of government where this fundamental American process of creating law is undertaken. You would think that he would know when and where appropriate respect for the institution should be modeled. At the very least, in this moment where not only his personal behavior but that as it represents the Republican party should reflect appropriate humility. He is instead posing for his next fund-raising event, the one where he proudly crows about denying Democrats a negative photo opportunity. Doesn't he get it? This isn't about him! It is about Americans--WE, the PEOPLE--and our right to fairly elect our representatives. He apparently thinks the particular law under which he's been indicted is nothing more than a partisan 'gotcha' invented to suppress his political ambitions!

Think about it. If he doesn't know better than to show respect for the law (and appropriate humility when he's been arrested) AND when all of America's eyes are on him, do you think his behavior is any better behind closed doors...?