EDITORIAL CRIMES OF OPPORTUNITY CORRUPTION CASE SHOWS THAT GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS IS FOR SALE.

THERE'S a lot of unconvincing contrition rolling out of Washington, D.C., of late.

Most recently from super-Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty to three felony counts of fraud, bribery and tax evasion Tuesday and then, in a whisper-quiet voice, said he was sorry for the mistakes he'd make. Then on Wednesday, he went to Miami and pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud stemming from his purchase of a gambling boat fleet.

Abramoff's apology - after spending years as a high-rolling power broker, fleecing clients out of millions and paying off anyone who might help his cause - rang about as sincere as that of San Diego Republican Rep. Randy ``Duke'' Cunningham in November. Cunningham broke out the waterworks after he was outed for accepting gifts worth millions of dollars from a defense contractor with federal contracts.

More crocodile tears are sure to come. As many as a dozen lawmakers could be exposed as corrupt as the federal influence-peddling investigation widens. Part of Abramoff's deal was to cooperate with the feds as they make a case against lawmakers with whom he did business. They ought to be very afraid.

What's really making the politicians misty-eyed and sorry is not the sudden realization that, ``Hey, it's wrong to take illegal gifts from those who seek to influence my public policy.'' What's most upsetting for them is that it didn't used to be that way. It must be truly jarring for Washington's power elite to find that the rules have changed, and that what was once noted with a wink and a nod might now get you prison time.

As dirty as Abramoff appears to be, his crimes will never rise to the level of the politicians who accepted bribes. Abramoff's wrongdoings were crimes of opportunity. He was just doing what so many have been doing for so long: buying the souls of the greedy pols with yachts, golf trips to Scotland or bundles of campaign contributions that keep them in positions of power and importance.

It was expected behavior. No one could do business in Washington without greasing the wheels. When was the last time a politician blew the whistle and called a press conference to declare: ``Look what crazy offer this lobbyist just made me to buy my vote! For shame.''

For too long, government has been for sale at all levels. The result is a disaffected public that knows that big money moves politicians, not grass- roots organization or even the sense of doing right by the people. It can't go on; this abuse of power is destroying our democracy in Washington, in Sacramento and in Los Angeles.

If lawmakers want to restore a measure of integrity to the federal government, they - particularly the Republicans who are disproportionately represented in the investigations - can't just wait for the ax to fall, then apologize. They must take a proactive approach to root out corruption and clean up their own houses, and take a clear and unequivocal stand that they are in office to serve the public interest - not the private interests.