It’s only fair to ask John Ensign to pay for special election

Tough economy or not, politics never sleeps in Nevada.

Just watch as candidates hustle to raise funds and gouge eyes in their attempt to fill the 2nd Congressional District spot vacated by Dean Heller following his appointment to the U.S. Senate seat scandalously vacated by John Ensign.

Ensign's forced resignation ahead of a Senate ethics investigation was more than embarrassing to Nevada. It was also costly.

At the Secretary of State's office, Ross Miller is scrambling to secure the estimated $1.3 million it could cost to put on the special election precipitated by Ensign's marital indiscretion and ham-handed cover-up, a mess that has attracted the attention of the FBI and the Department of Justice.

Like a really bad lounge comic with an oddly sanctimonious routine, Ensign has left the stage and faded from public view. He's been forced to return to his life as the wealthy son of a very wealthy Nevada casino family.

Although he stopped short of admitting he committed felonies and ethics violations, Ensign has owned up to the obvious fact that he's responsible for the mess he made. He not only slimed his wife and family, but he also dragged his parents into the scandal when they were revealed to have "gifted" $96,000 to Doug and Cindy Hampton in an act that smacked of hush money.

By my count, that also makes Ensign responsible for paying the tab for the special election. If not with a little jail time for getting caught trying to finagle consulting work for indicted cuckold and former U.S. Senate staffer Doug Hampton, then at least with a check to the secretary of state's office. That's a polite way of saying, "a check to the taxpayers of Nevada."

I'm not the only one contemplating that thought.

When I began to broach the subject on Friday, one frustrated state employee took the theme right out of my mouth.

"We could send the bill to John Ensign," she said.

Can the state make Ensign pay?

Probably not, but we should try.

Legally, it's a stretch. But morally and ethically, it's as plain as his stain on Nevada politics.

Then again, we are talking about John Ensign, who has been known to view morals and ethics in relative terms.

Good sense dictates he should write that check.

If your carelessness with matches results in a wildfire that burns up half the county, you can be held liable for your actions. And if anyone has admitted he was guilty of playing with fire, Ensign is that guy.

Irresponsible litigating parties who waste the court's time with frivolous lawsuits can be made to pay for the cost of their behavior. Should Ensign's costly frivolity be excused?

It's no solace for Nevadans, but they're not alone. In New York, taxpayers will eat the special election costs generated by the sext-message antics of Rep. Anthony Weiner, the Democrat forced to resign last week after admitting he lied about his numerous tawdry Twitterpations. To make matters worse, Weiner's House seat was already slated for elimination. So at best a caretaker will be elected to Congress.

With 1.116 million registered voters in Nevada, the special election figures to cost us about $1 per potential ballot cast. It's a costly process that wouldn't have been necessary had Ensign, the conservative born-again Christian, actually practiced what he preached.

Besides costing more than $1 million, the election process will also cost campaign contributors a hefty sum. But at least they have the option. Unfortunately, we're forced to cut the check.

In addition, there's the pain and suffering caused by all those nauseating campaign ads. We'll have Ensign to thank for that, too.

And if after all the trouble he's generated former Sen. Ensign still can't see his way clear to displaying true strength of character and paying the tab he's responsible for generating, he can always ask his parents to do it for him.

If it makes them feel better, they can call it a gift.

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Email him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/Smith