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This spectacular letter to the editor about political hubris is a year old, but timeless, via nephlm:

Lobbying's Dominance Too Shall Pass
Tuesday, September 19, 2006; Page A20

In one throwaway comment, Jeffrey H. Birnbaum crystallizes the attitude problem of insider media. After describing a few reform efforts in "Washington's Once and Future Lobby" [Outlook, Sept. 10], Mr. Birnbaum adds, "Don't imagine for a moment that anything will really change."

Those words, worthy of George Orwell's "1984," could be carved in stone above every door where the powerful come and go. They perfectly sum up the self-delusion that sustains all ruling classes. And it is always a delusion. As the British Empire, the Jim Crow South and the Soviet Union each discovered in my lifetime, sooner or later every system of exploitation will "really change," no matter how permanent and mighty it seems.

The shameless corporate abuse embodied by the K Street lobbies is no exception. The system will, sooner or later, overreach and be transformed.

LARRY YATES
Maurertown, Va.