The most politically perilous entitlement mentality congressional Republicans have failed to rein in is their own.

* The most politically perilous entitlement mentality congressional Republicans have failed to rein in is their own. California representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned his seat after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes in exchange for help in landing Defense Department contracts. A few months ago, the eight-term congressman was proclaiming his innocence and copping a plea to the kind of purportedly innocent "poor judgment" that some of his GOP colleagues apparently share. Michael Scanlon, Republican uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff's crooked colleague, has agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy that showered gifts on lawmakers and their aides allegedly in return for official favors. He is now cooperating with the three dozen investigators and prosecutors in the Abramoff case who are reportedly examining the actions of at least six members of Congress and several senior House aides. They are also investigating questionable payments made by Abramoff and his cohorts to some lawmakers' wives. It seems the corrupt chickens are coming home to roost in the Republicans' too cozy coop. If the GOP leadership fails to take the initiative and clean up the House, the voters should do it for them.