Posted on 03/22/2003 9:36:25 AM PST by forest
A few years ago, Congress passed a bill requiring them to obey all laws, rules and regulations, just like normal citizens. Therefore, we offer a few selected excerpts from Title 48, Volume 1, Parts 1 to 51 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Revised as of October 1, 1996, for your reading enjoyment.
This is good stuff, folks. Because, if Congress (and the administration) is legally bound to obey each and every one of their petty little laws, rules and regulations, our question is this: Where do we go to file charges?
Everyone in Congress is in violation of these "Standards of Conduct." So too are their staffs. On the slim chance this regulation could be enforced, the halls of the Capitol Building would be cleared of all but secretaries.
Of course, those elected to federal office are above all this. They give lip-service to obeying all laws, then totally disregard anything too restrictive. Nevertheless, it is fun to wave this stuff in their faces, if only just to tell them we notice the violation.
We might also add that, since elected Americans can pick and choose which laws they wish to obey, why shouldn't ALL Americans do the same? On that note, you may wish to send a copy of the following to your Members of Congress. Their reply should be interesting.
Title 48, Volume 1, Parts 1 to 51 of the Code of Federal Regulations
"This part prescribes policies and procedures for avoiding improper business practices and personal conflicts of interest and for dealing with their apparent or actual occurrence."
3.101 Standards of conduct.
"Government business shall be conducted in a manner above reproach and, except as authorized by statute or regulation, with complete impartiality and with preferential treatment for none. Transactions relating to the expenditure of public funds require the highest degree of public trust and an impeccable standard of conduct. The general rule is to avoid strictly any conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in Government-contractor relationships.
"As a rule, no Government employee may solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary value from anyone who (a) has or is seeking to obtain Government business with the employee's agency, (b) conducts activities that are regulated by the employee's agency, or (c) has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's official duties." . . .
"Gratuity or other thing of value includes any gift, favor, entertainment, or other item having monetary value. The phrase includes services, conference fees, vendor promotional training, transportation, lodgings and meals, as well as discounts not available to the general public and loans extended by anyone other than a bank or financial institution.
"Influencing or attempting to influence, as used in this section, means making, with the intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any covered Federal action.
"Person, as used in this section, means an individual, corporation, company, association, authority, firm, partnership, society, State, and local government, regardless of whether such entity is operated for profit or not for profit."
So send this essay to your Congress Critters to remind them that you are watching. /00\
"There is no distinctly American criminal class--except Congress." -- Mark Twain
If Title 48 were enforced, Congress and the WH would be empty.
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Guys, Nah. Congress wrote this law to prosecute those who would influence, or attempt to influence congresscritters and other government employees. There was no mention of prosecuting congresscritters or any other federal employee. JUST as "campaign finance" laws are made to prosecute those who would influence electins. NOT electees. They AIN't "stupid". Only corrupt. Peace and love, George.
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