This article originally provided by The Charleston Gazette

September 1, 2008

From the Gazette's Potpourri:  Disguised Bribery

Since 2000, coal, oil and gas executives have given $524,000 to Rep. Shelley Capito, $295,000 to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, $135,000 to Rep. Alan Mollohan, $126,000 to Sen. Robert C. Byrd and $77,000 to Rep. Nick Rahall. The energy chiefs are trying to buy favors in Congress. America's system of campaign finance almost consists of disguised bribery.