CREW Cleaning The Republican's House

Bob Parks: Black & Right ^ | 7/31/07 | Bob Parks

[bocopar]

I must admit to having an initial gut response to CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) and their current attempts to root out nepotism in our nation's Capitol.

According to Josephine Hearn at The Politico, "House members are complaining that their spouses could lose their jobs, their family incomes could drop and, perhaps, the entire pattern of their family lives could change if an ethics reform bill just passed by the House becomes law."

"The bill would bar campaigns from employing a lawmaker's spouse. Its backers argue that employing a spouse creates an implicit conflict of interest, tempting lawmakers to overpay and tipping off contributors that some of their largesse will go directly to the lawmaker's family.

[ClaireSolt]

No, I am saying that people can hire whomever they want with their money. That is not the same as graft. If Mr and Mrs Cho can run the drycleaners together and both draw salaries, then why not pols? If a man hires his wife to be campaign manager, he won't win, unless she is competent.

Also, progressive taxation favors it. My own accountant told me to put my kids on the payroll instead of taking more income at a high tax rate to support them.

[varon]

Lots of small businesses are mom and pop operations. Why should politics be different?

BINGO!!!

You've hit the nail on the head. A political office should not be a "family business" for self enrichment. That's what the private sector is for!!!

Too many politicians are allowed to remain in office too long, during which time they amass power to loot and pillage at will!!!

God forbid if Hillary should get elected because when she leaves at the end of her term, the White House will be stripped to the bare walls.

[ClaireSolt]

Two different issues. Vote them out, if you like. I agree with that. But don’t divorce them from reality. they should be more closely connected to the real world that we live in.

[ken21]

you admit that politicians’ salaries are paid with taxpayers’ monies?

your point about your kids and taxes is fine with me,

if you are a private citizen or small business owner, etc.

but if you are a politician, then damn if you’re putting your kid on the public tit.

your public office is not all yours; it is public. you owe the voters honesty and integrity in government.

i’m not alone. there’s a growing movement against corruption in government and this is corruption.

[ClaireSolt]

The example was of paying a wife to be a campaign manager for $50K. It is not uncommon to change the subject and become outraged. but it is a logical fallacy

. As it now stands, we are just lucky that anyone is willing to put him/herself through this unpaid rectal exam to get a middling job. Raise $100 m and campaign unpaid for 2 years to get elected to a job that pays $400,000 when Katie Couric gets 15 million with nobody claiming the right to audit how she spends every penny. Why don't you get bent out of shape about Romeny's sons and their bustrip in Iowa? They are on leave from their own careers, but maybe your money paid for their chips and dip. /s

[ken21]

what’s that got to do with my point?

you do not understand the fundamentals of u.s. government.

and the idea of a “republic.”

[ClaireSolt]

Of course I don't. I just taught it for years. You seem not to understand that changing the subject is not allowed in honest discussion. It is a topic Dems frequently use on TV, but it is devious and demogogic. Change the subject. Make a big stink. Then accuse me of not knowing the government.

So, since your conclusion is wrong, maybe you need to retrace your steps.

[bocopar]

“Stop spreading lies.”

Are you my father? Obviously I’m not the only person who failed to hear O’Reilly defend FR. The left considers FR a hate site, Davis mentioned FR and it’s obvious O’Reilly has a lot of support here.

The least he could have done is say it wasn’t true. He did not.

[unspun]

What about sons and daughters?

What about parents?

In-laws?

Nepotism is more than just about a spouse.

[bert]

Pucker up a little more. The sour grapes aren’t coming across well enough.

[Balding_Eagle]

Thanks for tacitly acknowledging that your posts were wrong.

There’s a big difference between stating that FR is a hate site, which is what Lanny did, and simply moving on (and not defending FR in the process) which is what BOR did.

Is your father the only one who can call you on the carpet for spreading lies?

[bocopar]

See, this is what’s frustrating. Just because I and others disagree with how YOU see something, you say I’ve been “spreading lies” several times now.

What I said was not a lie.

[ClaireSolt]

Now here is the cheap parting shot of someone who has lost an argument and won't admit it. A kidney punch by private mail. Let's provide some sunshine.

" you are rude. you failed to comprehend my point, responding with your agenda. i did not read your last post to me, nor shall i read read future posts from you. goodbye.

[Balding_Eagle]

What I said was not a lie.

Give us the quote where BOR said "FR is a hate site".

You can't, which is why I accused you of lying.

[Balding_Eagle]

LOL! You must have really nailed him.

[Balding_Eagle]

I’ll help you out, here is a transcript: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1875549/posts

[bocopar]

HE DIDN’T SAY IT WAS NOT!

[Suzy Quzy]

Notice they are just talking about SPOUSES....they should also include CHILDREN if they want to go that far, but it is really stupid either way......IF they are actually doing work, who cares.

[Balding_Eagle]

Oh come on, you have to have a better come back than that when you’re wrong!

Surely you aren’t attempting to pass that statement off as a logical argument are you? It’s an emotional (read liberal like) argument.

[bocopar]

You just won’t let it go. Guess you’re demanding an apology too....