Say one thing for now-former U.S. Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, R-Calif.: He thought big.

While many politicians are willing to sell their souls and their offices cheap — think ex-Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny on her knees begging for a mere five figures — Cunningham amassed bribes that total $2.4 million.

Now that’s officer thinking, probably learned back in the day when he was a Navy ace during the Vietnam War, simpler times before he became a disgrace to America, his constituents, his state, the Navy and those wings of gold that adorned his suit jackets. (Cunningham spent 21 years in the Navy, from 1966 to 1987, before winning his seat in 1990.)

Cunningham, who at first lied and denied wrongdoing, used his seat on the House Appropriations Committee to steer defense contracts to favored bidders. In return, those companies gave him cash, cars, rugs, vacations and a 42-foot yacht to live on when he was in Washington, D.C.

Outside the San Diego federal courthouse (the same one in which our own former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone was tried, found guilty and sentenced for bribing San Diego City Council members) Cunningham came clean, or so we’re to believe.

“The truth is, I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office,” he said, according to the New York Times. “I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions and, most importantly, the trust of my friends and family.”

Whoa, hold on a second there, Duke. You’re still missing the point.

Yes, Cunningham did break the law and conceal his conduct. Yes, he disgraced his office. Yes, he will forfeit his freedom and worldly possessions, as he should.

But who gives a rat’s ass about his now-worthless reputation? Or whether his friends and family trust him or not?

Cunningham has delivered a much more severe injury to the republic by his actions: He’s given every cynic more evidence to believe the government is bought and paid for by big corporations, with elected officials simply the middlemen in the transaction. He’s discouraged people from voting, since only a fool will think it’s worthwhile to vote in elections that are clearly staged so the corptacracy can get its bribe-taking friends into office. He’s discouraged small businessmen from wanting to compete for government contracts, since the system is clearly rigged for favored contractors. And he’s sullied the reputation of every lawmaker who does his or her job without taking bribes, honest men and women who put the public interest before his own.

U.S. Attorney Carol Lam said it best after Cunningham finally admitted his guilt: “He did the worst thing an elected official can do. He enriched himself through his position and violated the trust of those who put him there.”

Yes, he did. We hope U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns gives Cunningham the better portion of a potential 10-year sentence. Maybe after that time, he’ll figure out the real damage he’s done.