The right response for Congress

Do the right thing or do nothing | Cal Thomas © 2002 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Democrats believe they've found the issue—corporate wrongdoing—for which they've been desperately searching to bring down President Bush's high approval ratings. Democrats will haul out their familiar class-warfare weapons. Republicans will try to prove they are not the party of big business (as if there's something wrong with that considering the profits made by wise Democrat and Republican investors). Both parties will attempt to show voters they are doing something when, in fact, doing something, if it is the wrong thing, might be worse than doing nothing at all.

In his speech last week in New York, President Bush sounded the right themes, stressing the need for more character in business leaders and high standards of business ethics, as well as tougher penalties for those who violate the law.