The Hypocrisy Of A Texan Bug-Chaser

The tiny toxic Texan was an enemy of American capitalism... at least before his associates began soliciting illegal campaign contributions from its practitioners:

The case thrust Congressman DeLay into decidedly unfamiliar territory -- the list of plaintiffs on the front page of a civil complaint. He is an outspoken defender of business against what he calls the crippling effects of "predatory, self-serving litigation."

The DeLay family litigation sought unspecified compensation for, among other things, the dead father's "physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and trauma," and the mother's grief, sorrow and loss of companionship.

Their lawsuit also alleged violations of the Texas product liability law.

...

Rep. DeLay, who since has taken a leading role promoting congressional tort reform, wants to rein in trial lawyers to protect American business from what he calls "frivolous, parasitic lawsuits" that raise insurance premiums and "kill jobs."

In September, he expressed something less than warm sentiment for attorneys when he took the floor of the House to condemn trial lawyers who, he said, "get fat off the pain (of plaintiffs and off) the hard work (of defendants)."

...

The case was resolved in 1993 with payment of an undisclosed sum of about $250,000, according to sources familiar with an out of court settlement. DeLay signed over his share of any proceeds to his mother, said DeLay aides.

Three years later, DeLay cosponsored a bill specifically designed to override state laws on product liability such as the one cited in his family's lawsuit. The legislation provided sweeping exemptions for sellers of such products.

The story would make me have a great deal of sympathy for DeLay, if it wasn't for all the crap he's pulled since then.

Update (3/27):

Welcome Malkinthropes!

I commend you for clicking on the link, which is the beginning of all wisdom. You may be a little disoriented at first, as you won't recognize the surroundings.

While you're visiting, I hope you'll click through to these fine links as well:

David Neiwert

Professors Eric Muller and Greg Robinson

Thomas B.

My own bad self

You can thank me later.

And may the Easter Bunny have mercy on your eggs.

(A special thank you to Auguste at MalkinWatch for pointing this out.)