I just read the article linked below, in large part because these deals interest me and it was printed today, May 08,. I find this interesting because it involves McCain but mostly because it shows how things work. The article is about a land swap.

If you are looking for a scandal I don’t think this will be one.

Now the whole point of any swap is one party has something the other party wants and they trade. In this case about 86 square miles of land were traded and some think the government didn’t get its’ fair share. Some do. I have no idea. The rancher who proposed the deal expected to come out ahead or he wouldn’t have proposed the deal, and the government could come out ahead too. This land swap didn’t suddenly make this rancher a millionaire, he already was one. Just about every one of our large tracts of public land have been cobbled together with swaps and purchases so there is nothing wrong with swaps. It is like the Cartwrights selling Bonanza though.

What is really interesting is that nothing like this is illegal unless a politician agrees to do a certain thing for a constituent in exchange for that constituent doing something a certain thing in return, called "Quid pro Quo". That can be arranged with a wink and a nod but not a spoken word.

So read the article, it is only 2 pages and you will better understand how our government works.

Then if you wish, here is a link to the answers McCain’s campaign gave to questions about the deal.

Do try keep this article in mind when the Republicans bring up some transaction Barack Obama has been involved with, you might be better equipped to keep your balance.

Sleep well tonight.

Pat Chandler