Posted on 01/06/2006 11:45:29 AM PST by GaltMeister
Washington's power players have always bragged about being well-wired, but for disgraced former congressman Duke Cunningham, "wired" wasn't just a figure of speech. In a week when legislators are focused on the question of who else might be brought down by ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s cooperation with prosecutors as he seeks lenient sentencing over his two federal guilty pleas this week, sources tell TIME that ex-Rep. Cunningham wore a wire to help investigators gather evidence against others just before copping his own plea.
As long as massive amounts of money flow to Washington, corruption will occur in one form or another.
Yes, this is true.
The only way to stop the flow is to:______________________
Sounds good to me. Clean house. Snitches welcome!
NOPE! He's no longer a crook. Being a 'snitch' trumps all else. Now he's going to wind up being someone's bitch - to save to share his ass, so to speak.
That's not a fair thing to say at all.
Extreme partisan bravo sierra combined with mutually-assured destruction is the reason this type of corruption continues.
Now would be a good time to invest in popcorn stocks. This is going to be very intersting. Time to clean house!
Just wait until it is revealed WHERE abramoff was getting his bribery money (not just from the Tribes....)
Maybe so but nothing like what Murtha is doing the beloved 'Marine green' and Murtha just keeps on giving!
Pick up a pitchfork, citizen!
The way Abramoff spread the money so well, that's exactly what I'm afraid of. The other thing I fear is that the MSM will cover the Dem's butts (as usual) coupled by the Dem party not being as aggressive about nailing their corrupt congressmen (just check out DU, they're in total denial) that a few Rinos will go, but in the end the Dems will remain and nothing will have been gained.
eliminating the "goods" that politicians have to sell by restricting the federal government to its constitutional functions. (See tagline.)
well Murtha has just gone senile...
he's being used by the 'Rats just like Cindy Sheehan has been used...
no fool like an old fool! LOL
It makes me sad that a warrior of his caliber has sunk this low.
Do you know something about this? If so, I missed it. If what you said is correct, what fun we will have.
If you really believe that, I am very disappointed in you.
Impose strict term limits. Mandate that Congress can only sit in session for a short period of time. As long as someone can list his or her profession as "legislator," we're all screwed.
I didn't say that either party will stop it. Here is the main point:
The problem you have, Hank, is that the Democratic and Republican parties are not abstracts. They are comprised of human beings. Human beings who easily can join any party they so choose and turn it into exactly what the Dems and Reps are today. People don't change just because the label they attach to themselves changes.
Genuine reform would start with three things: repeal of the 16th Amendment (income tax) and 17th Amendment (popular election of senators), along with passage and ratification of term limits for members of Congress. Any political movement (party) which makes those acts their primary goals would have my support in a heartbeat.
Other necessary reforms don't require Constitutional action. Although lobbying cannot be eliminated due to our Constitutional rights to address our government, we certainly could work for a law to make it illegal for any Congressional legislation to be written by lobbyists. We could work for a law that forbids adding anything to a piece of legislation which is not directly within the scope and subject of that legislation -- in otherwords, no hidden or last-minute riders, language and admentments to sneak in bridges to nowhere, or to force acceptance of a bill of rights for terrorists, or to name some podunk building after Senator Nonothing.
Practical, useful reforms are possible, but they will only happen with pressure from the people.
How bout this... Since businesses and institutions do not vote people do, No one can give a congressman more than 300.00 period.
GaltMeister: Agreed! I sometimes think term limits would be a good thing - but then again maybe term limits would just make them stuff their pockets faster.
Better yet, allow real campaign finance reform. Let anyone give as much as they want, but within 24 hours of receiving a donation, the name, address and employer of the contributor must be posted on said politicians website. Full Disclosure.
Second, make it illegal for politicians to work as lobbyiests for the first five to ten years after leaving office.
Third, the financial records of all elected officials must be a matter of public record.
Any violations considered a felony with mandatory imprisonment. Same for anyone caught trying to bribe an official.
Even as you were posting this, I was providing my answer in #76.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.