It's hardly a secret that Americans' confidence in our federal government has long since been shattered.

Now, one of the recent architects of that mistrust will have to serve out a four-year prison sentence because of it.

Jack Abramoff once was one of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington, D.C. After he was discovered to be dead-center in a slew of political corruption scandals, he came to be the poster boy for shady, back-room deals in the nation's capital. He even looked the part, often photographed while wearing a black fedora reminiscent of a mafioso straight out of central casting.

His illegal maneuvering, when brought to light, was a big factor in costing Republicans congressional control in 2006. This is the kind of skulduggery that we hope fervently will be quashed under the next presidential administration.