I'd like to be pardoned for a felony offense...wouldn't that be nice? I don't propose to hurt anyone, I won't steal from anyone either. I simply want to gain financially with inside information to the tune of several million dollars. Victimless crime, I figure. And if I get caught, all I want is to be pardoned, or at least have my sentence commuted, so I don't have to go to jail. How do I get a deal like that.

I'm not particularly upset by the idea that Bush abused his presidential power, it's a time-honored tradition. Today the White House defended the commuting of Scooter Libby's sentence by pointing a finger at Clinton and the 140 he pardoned. Clinton's spokespeople, including the Mrs., argue the Bush commute is more heinous than any of Clinton's. I'm not sure who looks more self serving after exercising his executive privilege. Thankfully I'm not a card carrying (cash depositing) member of any political party, so I don't automatically have to defend one or the other. Thankfully I don't have to defend the Bush administration, I'm not sure how you can do that with a straight face.

But the latest executive decision by Bush has made me ponder why we allow one person, simply because of an election that is held just once every four years – we elect mayors more frequently, for crying out loud – to wield such power, unchecked.

It seems like that power has become a tool of abuse by every occupant of the White House. Most abuse it in their final days. Bush couldn't wait that long, clearly, since he had to pay his buddy back pronto. I'll bet Libby knew all along this was coming.

Is it time to repeal the right of presidential pardons?