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This repulsive behavior certainly does not violate any formal Senate ethics rules. However, rude behavior aside, what is the cost to the U.S. economy of the CEO of a multibillion dollar corporation having to spend the day traipsing around Washington, no less getting stood up by a young staffer?

If we seek civil virtue and efficiency, I see only two things we can do.

First, shrink the size of the federal government so we limit the scope of our lives that politicians control.

National defense is one area that clearly belongs under federal control. However, according to the Cato Institute, defense spending as a percentage of GDP has dropped from 9 percent in 1960 to 4 percent in 2004. However, non-defense spending, all the other stuff, has increased over the same period from 7 percent to 15 percent. This spending represents large portions of our lives we've arbitrarily turned over to political control. Let's cut it and privatize.

It's hilarious to listen to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi make allegations about "abuse of power" as we watch Democrats filibuster judge confirmation votes and refuse to talk about personal retirement accounts or any reform that would reduce the size and influence of government.

Let's listen to those who want to trash our tax code and have a simple flat tax or national sales tax. CEO's won't have to spend their valuable time in Washington lobbying about taxes and finding legal avenues for buying political favors. Let's have personal retirement accounts and get the federal government out of the retirement business. Let's have school choice and get the federal government of the education business.

My second recommendation is to take a new look at term limits for Senators and Congressmen. It's time.

If we refuse to take steps to reduce the scope of federal government and to limit congressional terms, "ethics" in Washington will continue to be just another word for politics.

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(Star Parker is author of "Uncle Sam's Plantation: How Big Government Enslaves America's Poor and What We Can Do about It" and president of CURE, Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education, www.urbancure.org.)

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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