Returning Abramhoff's money

I'm not trying to pick on Byron Dorgan here, and I understand the political need to return dirty money.

But in reality, the deals been done, right? That money was spent years ago to keep that politician in power, the donors would've gotten the vote they wanted, and everyone came out a winner. So the returning of dirty money is little more than political showmanship. The damage has been done.

Maybe it's time for stricter laws against this sort of thing? Maybe illegal political dealings should result in a dismissal from office. That would certainly put some restraint on this sort of things. Or at least make people work harder to keep it covered up instead of scaring the Democratic process over and over again.

So what say you Congress? Grandfather all lawbreakers up to the day it's past. Give them an amnesty period to admit mistakes to the public and let the people decide. And then anyone after that date meets with a boot out the door.