I heard this story while I was cooking dinner last night and nearly dropped a knife.
For a mere $1,250 donation to the National Republican Congressional Committee you get a pretty plaque, designating you as "Physician of the Year" by Congress, and it's open to anyone.
And guess who started this little diploma mill? First three guesses don't count:
Republicans, under the direction of Tom DeLay, came up with the idea for the awards five years ago as a means of helping to raise funds for the congressional campaign efforts for their party.
Delay and Bush were the speakers / presenters at this year's "awards" ceremony. There are no qualifications required to obtain this award - you buy it. This is the kind of egregious scam that usually prompts congressional scrutiny if it happens in the private sector, but since the NRCC is reaping the benefits, there won't be any investigation.
So, if I pay out twelve-hundred bucks, what you're saying is I can pad my resume?
"Why, yes, I deliver pizzas, but I'm also a physician. No, really. I have a diploma."