A Democratic Congress: Time to Clean House

[ballz2wallz]

So Jack Abramoff, the famous dude for getting the Democrats in a tizzy earlier this year in their excitement that Republicans were so full of corruption, scandals, etc., meanwhile refusing to accept that any Democrats might be involved.

So today he's in jail, and he's about to out "six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators"...plus Rove.

Sources close to the investigation say Abramoff has provided information on his dealings with and campaign contributions and gifts to "dozens of members of Congress and staff," including what Abramoff has reportedly described as "six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators."

The sources say Abramoff was about to provide information about Bush administration officials, including Karl Rove, "accepting things of value" from Abramoff.

A funny little comment Allah left:

Oh man. This + Murtha as leader = best. majority. ever.

Place your bets — who are the six to eight? Reid is a given.

In Pelosi's own words,

“Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty to providing Members of Congress with things of value in exchange for a series of official acts – a despicable action that strikes at the heart of our democracy. Yet no Members of Congress have been held accountable for their involvement with Abramoff and their violation of the public’s trust.

“Republicans have shut down an ethics process that should hold Members accountable. It is long past time for the Republican Congress to take the necessary steps to restore a high ethical standard in Congress and put the Ethics Committee back to work to investigate any misconduct of Members, including those involved with Jack Abramoff. The American people deserve nothing less.”

Will she stick to that mantra?

Here's a little list of all contributions from Abramoff to political entities.

Isn't there someone on this forum so near and dear to all of us that says things like 'the Demcoratic party takes care of their corrupt politicians the proper way; by voting them out of office before scandals arise, unlike the Republicans' or something like that. Can someone help remind me who that is?

[6SpeedTA95]

Of course the democrats are corrupt anyone that thought otherwise was seriously misled and living in some sort of fantasy land. They're not better than the reps and it looks like we're about to find that out, too bad this wasn't done 3 weeks ago.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Of course the democrats are corrupt anyone that thought otherwise was seriously misled and living in some sort of fantasy land. They're not better than the reps and it looks like we're about to find that out, too bad this wasn't done 3 weeks ago.

The problem is, Pelosi wants to fill the positions of power with corrupt politicians. I hope she gets creamed over this.

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

The problem is, Pelosi wants to fill the positions of power with corrupt politicians. I hope she gets creamed over this.

I'd be willing to bet that a blind eye is turned by many to her corruption and democrat corruption issues

[Stylerod]

I'll await comment until I see it come to fruition.

[DosEquis]

I don't doubt there could be some corrupt democratic senators. If something does come of this they should be removed accordingly. We can not stand for this as a country and the representative who allows their vote to be bought needs removed and jailed.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

We can not stand for this as a country and the representative who allows their vote to be bought needs removed and jailed.

Let's hope this is the case

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

I don't doubt there could be some corrupt democratic senators. If something does come of this they should be removed accordingly. We can not stand for this as a country and the representative who allows their vote to be bought needs removed and jailed.

This is why I like you, you might be a democrat, but you use your brain and you apply the same standards accross the board :hug: :wackit:

[TheScatman]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Of course the democrats are corrupt anyone that thought otherwise was seriously misled and living in some sort of fantasy land. They're not better than the reps and it looks like we're about to find that out, too bad this wasn't done 3 weeks ago.

I think the only way to end corruption is to get the money out, but that'd require the federal government to end all its unconsitutional programs

[DosEquis]

The idea of the "lobbyist" needs to go away and there needs to be some serious campaign finance reform. It has damaged our way of governing. The average guy does not get equal representation because he can't afford to pay a guy to take the congressman on vacation to share his views. The average guy can't donate thousands of dollars to a candidate. He can write an email and vote.

People should be able to meet with them and share their views but the tab run up by the congressman should be paid for by the congressman. It is along the same lines of why you can't buy college football players a new car, fancy dinners, and vacations.

They are there to serve the public not have the public serve them.

[TheScatman]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

The idea of the "lobbyist" needs to go away and there needs to be some serious campaign finance reform. It has damaged our way of governing. The average guy does not get equal representation because he can't afford to pay a guy to take the congressman on vacation to share his views. The average guy can't donate thousands of dollars to a candidate. He can write an email and vote.

People should be able to meet with them and share their views but the tab run up by the congressman should be paid for by the congressman. It is along the same lines of why you can't buy college football players a new car, fancy dinners, and vacations. They are there to serve the public not have the public serve them.

My point if the federal government was limited to only its constitutional functions, there would be almost no point in taking the Congressman out to dinner! You would only be able to get monies in several core areas - armed forces, border security, etc. and with a small budget like that, there would be a lot more oversight

[ballz2wallz]

the Blotter is reporting now that Reid is one of the main Democrats that Abramoff has pointed to:

Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was one of the members of Congress Abramoff had allegedly implicated in his cooperation with federal prosecutors.

A spokesperson for Reid, elected yesterday as the Senate Majority Leader, said the senator had done nothing illegal or unethical.

Oh but wait!

A spokesperson for Reid, elected yesterday as the Senate Majority Leader, said the senator had done nothing illegal or unethical.

"We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

Of course, we all know you did nothing wrong. So where are all those talking about how Democrats properly deal with corruption and scandal in their party? Anybody?

[ethyl]

So what happens if senators are exposed for corruption and either step down or convicted? Are their replacements picked by the state's governor? Is there another state election?

[TheScatman]

Originally Posted by ethyl

So what happens if senators are exposed for corruption and either step down or convicted? Are their replacements picked by the state's governor? Is there another state election?

depends on the state, I believe all but 3 allow the govenor, the rest sit vacant until next election I believe. alaska recently changed it away from governor due to frank murkowski appointing his daughter

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

The problem is, Pelosi wants to fill the positions of power with corrupt politicians. I hope she gets creamed over this.

What did the Democrats lose in 2006? The rights to blame a Republican majority on everything. Progressives are much better at the blame game than Republicans since change is their mantra. But when it is time to be responcible for change?......look out!

Now the political ethics world turns!

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

The idea of the "lobbyist" needs to go away and there needs to be some serious campaign finance reform. It has damaged our way of governing. The average guy does not get equal representation because he can't afford to pay a guy to take the congressman on vacation to share his views. The average guy can't donate thousands of dollars to a candidate. He can write an email and vote.

I agree with you. But this is only one half of the picture. What are they trying to buy? If the government had less influence in economic developments (sticky fingers in the pie) then these people would have to make way in the free market instead of trying to get some edge with regulation and other breaks through the law. You take the cheapest route in business!

[KatKanPlay]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

the Blotter is reporting now that Reid is one of the main Democrats that Abramoff has pointed to:



Oh but wait!



Of course, we all know you did nothing wrong. So where are all those talking about how Democrats properly deal with corruption and scandal in their party? Anybody?

You are enjoying this way too much, have you reached the drooling stage yet?

I hope any and all corruption is exposed, I could care less about the party. I have said this in many other threads, get rid of the money. All campaigns should be on a level playing field. When our politicians are purchased, they cant look out for the best interests of the people or the country because they become obligated to vote in the best interests of their contributors.

[Donkey®]

Yeah, how about we see some Democrats in jail before comparing them to the Republicans.

[TheScatman]

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

I agree with you. But this is only one half of the picture. What are they trying to buy? If the government had less influence in economic developments (sticky fingers in the pie) then these people would have to make way in the free market instead of trying to get some edge with regulation and other breaks through the law. You take the cheapest route in business!

I agree, if it takes 10 million to lobby for 11 million in benefits they'll do it

[Diamond Cross]

If Republicans are doing more lawbreaking than democrats, that onl