Politicians must be held to the same standards as private citizens. Actually, since politicians represent our people to the rest of the world, they should be held to higher standards. But, since that is going to the extreme in the other direction, it is not fair. Therefore, equal treatment should be the prevailing condition.

Gingrich was guilty as indicated by his own admissions and by the fact that the Ethics Committee plea bargained with him. The fine levied against him for his ethics violations was in lieu of being censored.

The basis for the fine and potential censorship was Gingrich did violate laws. If he hadn't, it is logical no fine would have been levied after 'negotiations'.

This writer contends plea bargaining went beyond a mere fine. It is highly likely bargaining also extended to Gingrich keeping his job. It is highly likely he kept his job because of the damage that could have been done, if not to all Washington politicians, to the Republican Party by the censorship of Gingrich.

It is easy to believe the House wanted to protect its way of life and not upset the applecart to the extent that people would start demanding that all politicians be investigated. This might lead to politicians being forced into behaving with integrity and remaining above reproach, publically and privately. Surely no American wants that.

The treatment of Gingrich, and all similar actions, cause people to not trust Washington and our politicians. With every statement made resembling that by Boehner, with every "sweeping under the rug" of questionable activities of politicians which take place, the mistrust intensifies.

This writer would like to trust politicians and believe they support the will of the many, not the wants of the few. But, as he dwells deeper into the political games that are played, this becomes increasingly difficult. The evidence abounds to the contrary to do so.

Many media personalities supported the action and the why is beyond the comprehension of this writer. Apparently, it is okay to support a man such as Gingrich by ignoring the facts in the case and not dwelling or forgetting the negatives.

The N.Y. Times did state that "it [Dole's loan] doesn't pass the smell test" so not all news sources supported the recent action of Dole loaning Gingrich money.

But, what one doesn't hear or read are demands that a complete criminal investigation be conducted into activities of Gingrich, both recent and during his political career, and of the loan.

The writer is not saying that all politicans support the treatment of Gingrich. Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA) seemed to have been in favor of censoring Gingrich. The writer may have misinterpreted his statements but it seemed as if the plea bargaining was against his wishes.

To Waxman's statements, Boehner stated he wants a "healing process" to take place and, further, that 'gavel envy' is Waxman's problem.

As far as 'gavel envy' is concerned, that was nothing more than a very feeble, ineffective attempt at discrediting the chair of government reform. It was easily seen through and the writer hopes that all viewers recognized it for what it was.

As far as a healing process beginning and this person is concerned, the only way this wound against integrity and justice will be healed is to fully investigate Gingrich criminally and, in the interim, censor him from the House or, as is supposed to be done by the US Constitution, impeach him and let the investigation reveal what it will reveal.

If getting at the truth disrupts the House, then so be it. Having to live with the fact that a probable felon represents all of us to the world and our own citizenry is also quite disruptive.

Besides, Ladies and Gentlemen, our government has never, and will never, depend upon the presence of any one man. The test for this is quite simple. Have anyone you choose stick one of their hands in a bucket of water. If a hole remains when the hand is withdrawn, then that person is indispensable.

And this writer doesn't think Gingrich can pass the test.