Borger Predicts ‘Mass Resignation’ Of House Members Due To Stricter Ethics Standards
Borger Predicts ‘Mass Resignation’ Of House Members Due To Stricter Ethics Standards
On Thursday, the House passed new ethics legislation “that would penalize lawmakers who receive a wide range of favors from special interests, and would require lobbyists to disclose the campaign contributions they collect and deliver to lawmakers.” The Senate passed similar legislation in January.
Today, on The Chris Matthews Show, CBS News’ national political correspondent Gloria Borger claimed that the new ethical standards could cause a mass exodus of corrupt lawmakers from the House. “Watch for mass resignations from House members who are now saying they can’t afford to live here unless they’re bought and paid for by lobbyists,” said Borger. “They’re going to leave.” Watch it:
Exit polls for the 2006 mid-term elections showed that voters considered corruption one of the top issues facing the nation. If what Borger says is true, this is a clear sign that the 110th Congress’s efforts to clean up the culture of corruption is having a real impact. Congress would be better served if lawmakers who are “bought and paid for by lobbyists” give up their seats.
Transcript:
Chris Matthews: Gloria?Gloria Borger: This new ethics legislation that’s been passed by the House, is going to be passed by the Senate. Watch for mass resignations from House members, who are now saying they can’t afford to live here unless they’re bought and paid for by lobbyists. they’re going to leave.
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Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out of DC!
May 27th, 2007 at 12:01 pmCongress would be better served if lawmakers who are “bought and paid for by lobbyists†give up their seats.
Yes it would, but it’s never gonna happen.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:03 pmGood I hope they leave today and good riddence to them!
May 27th, 2007 at 12:03 pmOne can only hope this would happen. But, I’m quite sure that they will find a way around the new rules. It has happened every time Congress has passed any meaningful legislation to address the corrupting influence of lobbyist money buying Congresspeople. The only real and incorruptible solution to this problem is public financing of elections. As long as we have a system where the corporations can buy our legislators, we will be the United Corporations of America. If we were to only allow public financing of elections, we could once again be the United States of America and “we the people” would once again be able to participate in our system of governance.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:03 pmWatch for mass resignations from House members who are now saying they can’t afford to live here unless they’re bought and paid for by lobbyists,†said Borger. “They’re going to leave.â€
And this is a bad thing ?
May 27th, 2007 at 12:04 pmI do not buy her mass resignations theory.
They never give up.
I would expect a full out attack on the ethics legislation as being anti free speech or something of the sort and the legislators supporting it depicted as “commies” with an added touch of Carl Rove to give it a vile and sickening smell.
In the end, If they can’t find or make a loophole big enough I’m sure the President will be happy enough to oblige them with a signing statement.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:05 pmif that’s true, it would be terrific news, but it does leave a problem… if it’s only possible to exist as an elected rep in d.c. with lobbyists’ largesse, something has to be done to make it possible to be one without large piles of money being thrown at you…
And, yes, I DO take it personally
May 27th, 2007 at 12:06 pmNot gonna happen.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:07 pmOffshore accounts, relatives pockets, still lots of ways absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Corporate lobbying must be outlawed in DC and those politicians who refuse to live on their salaries alone can go straight to Hell. I do not care if a R or D is after their names.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:07 pmthis, of course, includes hillary and obama, as clearly, they have the support of numerous lobbyists. otherwise, how could they have raised $25 million in less than one month of campaigning?
May 27th, 2007 at 12:08 pmKate H.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:08 pmHere, here!! public financing, roll back the ridiculous notion that there’s any first amendment right to buy the best legislators you can!
In the early days of the republic, it was thought an honor and a civic duty of the wealthy class to serve their country as an elected representative.
That ideology was short lived. Now, instead of serving their country, they serve the ruling class.
What better evidence of a ruling class controlling the halls of government than the specter of massive resignations from public service because of “ethics.”
May 27th, 2007 at 12:12 pm“who are now saying they can’t afford to live here unless they’re bought and paid for by lobbyists.”
You can’t live off $165,000.00 a year?
You shouldn’t be running a country.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:15 pmGloria Borger claimed that the new ethical standards could cause a mass exodus of corrupt lawmakers from the House. “Watch for mass resignations from House members who are now saying they can’t afford to live here unless they’re bought and paid for by lobbyists,†said Borger. “They’re going to leave.â€
Good, they need to leave. We can no longer tolerate criminals ( Republicans or Democrats ) turning our government into a cesspool of organized crime and fascism. Selling out our rights to make a bigger profit for big money.
Fascism, more like Italy in the 30s and 40s than Nazi Germany, would be a better description.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:18 pm“The only real and incorruptible solution to this problem is public financing of elections.
Comment by Kate Henry — May 27, 2007 @ 12:03 pm”
I’ve been writing my “Representatives” with that exact same suggestion for the last two years. You just know their response…
It’s why I think a third party will be required to make it happen. You know how the new guys always have the most motivation and do the most innovative work? That’s my theory on a third party, term limits and the sort.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:19 pmYou can’t live off $165,000.00 a year?
You shouldn’t be running a country.
Comment by unbelievable
No kidding……
May 27th, 2007 at 12:21 pmThe brigands should leave. But I hope the long arm of the law follows them.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:22 pmand let’s face it, the vast majority of DC politicians make WAY more than $165,000/year……..
how can they claim to speak for average folk then?
May 27th, 2007 at 12:23 pmHey Unbelievable, good post but think it should say, you shouldent be raping our country cause that;s what most are doing by design, intent or neglect to further their own self worth or power…Good by all and Blessings
May 27th, 2007 at 12:25 pm“No kidding……
Comment by Wayne — May 27, 2007 @ 12:21 pm”
I know people who live in San Francisco and NYC, similar costs of living to DC. None of them makes anywhere close to $100K, much less $165K.
I just think the royal elite running teh show thinks they are entitled to live like dukes and princes. Screw them!
May 27th, 2007 at 12:25 pmShe doesn’t have a clue. Not a single clue!
May 27th, 2007 at 12:26 pmDon’t believe it.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:27 pmRUCerious is correct. There will be no exodus. Instead we’ll see other means used to get the money to legislators. Even if all the lobbyist money were cut off, it’d still be easy to find other ways to cash in.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:28 pmHOODLUMS I SAY
ROUND THEM ALL UP AND THROW THEM IN THE FRIGGIN SLAMMER
DUDE
THEN WHY ISN’T BUSH/CHENEY GETTING IMPEACHED
DUDE
WHY ARE WE STILL FRIGGIN IN IRAQ DUDE
IN A COMPLETE CESSPOOL OF POLITICAL TRASH AND ALL THE FRIGGIN POLITICAL PARASITES CONSISTING OF MAGGOTS, TICKS, LEECHES, CHIGGARDS, ROACHES, RATS DUDE
ALL THESE FRIGGIN TOTALLY CORRUPTED CRONY’S AND FRIGGIN SMOOZERS DUDE,
ROUND EVERY FRIGGIN ONE OF THEM UP AND THROW THEM IN THE FRIGGIN SLAMMER, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE PARASITES AND THROW THE DOG GONE KEY AWAY DUDE
WE ALL GET FAR SUPERIOR A+ SERVICE AT MCDONALD’S
AND WHAT DO THOSE THINGS MENTION SERVICE US WITH DUDE
THE FRIGGIN GREASE PITS DUDE
CAN’T EVEN MUSTER UP 28% DUDE
A STRAIGHT F = 60% ‘/, 2 = 30% DUDE
THAT’S FRIGGIN DOUBLE F’S DUDE, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT
A+ AT MCDONALD’S DUDE AND DOUBLE F’S FROM PARASITES
JIMBO DUDE
ALWAYS SPEAKS ROCK SOLID INTEGRITY AND TRUTH DUDE :)
May 27th, 2007 at 12:31 pm“you shouldent be raping our country cause that;s what most are doing by design, intent or neglect to further their own self worth or power…Good by all and Blessings
Comment by Sharon — May 27, 2007 @ 12:25 pm”
Absolutely, they are gutless worms who don’t care about limited resources meaning that when they take more than they need, someone else has to do without.
Gross obesity among our “Representatives” is a physical manifestation of their personalities – gluttoneous pigs.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:31 pm[...] The only real and incorruptible solution to this problem is public financing of elections. [...]
Comment by Kate Henry — May 27, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
right on.
good day all… see yas…
May 27th, 2007 at 12:31 pmMany in Washington, DC, just see their positions as a springboard to future wealth. They do not go to DC to help anybody but themselves. They get an official salary, but the perks from the lobbyists extend their lifestyles into the equivilent of being millionaires. They get FREE meals, FREE haircuts, FREE vacations, FREE merchandise, etc. All of that adds up to big bucks. Rep. Duke Cunningham got a house, cars, antique furniture, and a boat from lobbyists.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:36 pmOH AND ONE OTHER THING DUDE…………..
ANY HOODLUM WHO MAKES CAMPAIGN PROMISES LYING THROUGH THEIR TEETH, STRAIGHT TO THE SLAMMER DUDE
BECAUSE THOSE SWINDLERS NEVER KEEP THEIR PROMISES DUDE
THEY HIT THE ELF’S POT AND WRITE ANOTHER EMPTY IOU TO SS AND FRIGGIN PILE UP THE BLANK CHECK WITH THEIR BANKERS BUDDIES
THEY FRIGGIN SMOOZE WITH AND SCRATCH WITH FRIGGIN LOBBYISTS DUDE
I WOULD SAY THIS SWINDLER QUALIFIES FOR THAT…..
FRIGGIN THROW EVERY SINGLE LIAR, SWINDLER, SMOOZER, AND LEECH
IN
THE
FRIGGIN
SLAMMER
THAT……… FINALLY WOULD CLEAN THINGS UP DUDE
START WITH THE HIGHEST HOUSE OF THE LAND DUDE
DOJ FAST, SMOOTH TALKING PARASITES
SENATE, CONGRESS, K STREET
ANY SHIFTY EYED, FAST SMOOTH TALKING SWINDLER + LIAR
STRAIGHT
May 27th, 2007 at 12:36 pmTO THE FRIGGIN
SLAMMER
Congresscritters will tell you, with some validity, that it’s not a matter of living in DC on $165K. They also have to live in their home district simply to qualify to represent that district, so they have to maintain two households. And there are expenses involved in regular travel to their home district (think Nancy Pelosi), even when the bulk of this isn’t being paid for out of their salaries.
I’m not suggesting that they should be living off the fat of lobbyists, just that it’s not enough to say “f’em, let them live in a dorm.” Although, come to think of it, that’s not such a bad idea. A lot of them act like frat boys most of the time, anyway. We could just fund two huge frat houses and they could spend their off hours having toga parties and t-p’ing each others’ houses.
Maybe Zooey could get a job as house mother!
May 27th, 2007 at 12:44 pmAnd who did the lobbyists represent who gave Cunningham all the stuff I mentioned above? Military Industrial Complex profiteers. Whenever one of the military hardware manufacturers wanted another pork contract, then they gave something to Cunningham. He sold out our nation for his personal needs. The Duke became the ultimate political prostitute.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:48 pmI just can’t stop laughing at the wildly naive Borger. Or is she naive? I tend to believe that damn near everyone in the ‘media’ is a paid liar. Perhaps Borger is trying to convince us that the corrupt Senators and Representatives will just go away, fearful of punishment. Perhaps Borger is minimizing to distract us from reality?
I will be shocked to see the new ‘ethics standards’ enforced by either House or Senate. Our elected officials will not punish their own. Frist is still walking around, and he should be in jail if the SEC meant anything. But the SEC won’t act because the damn Senate won’t enfore their own rules.
It’s easier to believe Borger is lying than to believe her sincerety.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:49 pmJIMBO DUDE STANDS STRONG AND ALWAYS SPEAKS INTEGRITY/TRUTH
A+ SERVICE FOR US AT MCDONALD’S
AND F – SERVICE FROM ALL THESE HIGHCLASS
POLITICAL PARASITES, HOODLUMS, LIARS, ROACHES, CHIGGARDS, RATS,
LEECHES, TICKS, MAGGOTS, LIZZARDS, WORMS, COMPLETE FRIGGIN SCUM
DUDE, FRIGGIN CRIMINALS…. FAST SMOOTH TALKING SWINDLERS DUDE
WE GET FRIGGIN THE GREASE PITS FROM THEM DUDE FOR SERVICE
ROUND FRIGGIN EVERYONE OF THEM UP
DUDE
AND THROW THEM ALL IN THE FRIGGIN SLAMMER DUDE
JIMBO DUDE
ALWAYS SPEAKS ROCK SOLID TRUTH AND HAS ROCK SOLID INTEGRITY
DUDE
May 27th, 2007 at 12:51 pmIn either 1984 or 1986, it became no longer legal for Congressmen and Senators to retain their campaign funds after they left office. A number of them decided not to run for office in that year.
The most egregious of these was Tim Wirth of dem senator from Colorado, who announced he was running, raised money for the campaign, and then changed his mind. The least egregious was Warren Rudman, republican of NH, who left office with something like 6,000 dollars in his campaign war chest.
This is actually a very plausible scenario. I am with Atrios–this would be a very good thing.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:54 pm“Congresscritters will tell you, with some validity, that it’s not a matter of living in DC on $165K. They also have to live in their home district simply to qualify to represent that district, so they have to maintain two households.
Comment by gummitch — May 27, 2007 @ 12:44 pm”
They only need an apartment in either DC or their home state, and then a household in the opposite place. Considering an apartment in DC is about $2,000 a month, that’s only $24,000 a year.
Their commute should be a reimbursable expense, since they are doing it on behalf of the people for their job. If not, then it is fullt tax deductable.
I’m still not seeing the reasons to sympathize considering my pitiance of a paycheck allowing me to have a comfortable life style.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:56 pmMaybe Zooey could get a job as house mother!
Comment by gummitch
Blech. I’d really like to know what I did to piss you off, gummitch. :P
Heh.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:57 pmWhat kind of Congress members who will leave because of ethics rules are strengthened ?!
Let them leave…
Does an honest,good citizen want these kind of people in the House to make laws..?!
May 27th, 2007 at 12:59 pmAND DUDE – -
LET ME RE EMPHASISE WHAT A HOODLUM, POLITICAL PARASITE, SWINDLER,
AND LYING CONSISTS OF DUDE….
IT’S MAKING ALL THOSE CAMPAIGN PROMISES
AND KNOWING VERY WELL THEY ARE SWINDLING DUDE
THE DEAD GIVE AWAY IS ONE THEY DON’T KEEP THEIR PROMISES DUDE
AND THEY GO THE OTHER WAY DUDE
THEN THEY FILL UP THEIR BUDDIES, HIT THE ELF’S POT AND SCR**W US
THEY SMOOZE THE HIGH LIFE DUDE WITH OTHER CRIMINALS LIKE LOBBYISTS DUDE, WASHINGTON GETS BOUGHT OUT DO, TOTALLY INVESTED WITH POLITICAL HOODLUMS/THUGS DUDE
THEIR AIN’T NO IMMUNITY, ROUND THEM ALL UP AND THROW THEM IN THE FRIGGIN SLAMMER…. RIGHT NOW THAT PROBABLY AMOUNTS TO 1 OUT OF 3 IN THE CESSPOOL OF SO CALLED CULTURE OF CORRUPTION
INSTEAD WHAT HAPPENS DUDE…. THEY FRIGGIN CONTINUE TO SERVE US DUDE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THE LAND
IT’S SO DOG GONE FRIGGIN CORRUPT AND BOUGHT OUT IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE EVERYONE PUKE
DUDE
NOW JIMBO DUDE ALWAYS SPEAKS ROCK SOLID TRUTH DUDE WITH ROCK SOLID INTEGRITY
DUDE
May 27th, 2007 at 12:59 pmMaybe Zooey could get a job as house mother!
Comment by gummitch
Blech. I’d really like to know what I did to piss you off, gummitch. :P
Heh.
Comment by Zooey
You don’t want to play daily whack-a-pol?
May 27th, 2007 at 1:00 pmpenalize lawmakers? ROFMAO!
May 27th, 2007 at 1:02 pm#31 I think very few pundits know what the hell they’re talking about. Cable TV has created them. Many of them sound credible, but really aren’t. Some, like Faux news, are strictly amateur hour, and easy to spot. Others aren’t quite so easy. I guess not everyone can be a Walter Cronkite or Bill Moyers…but this latest crop needs to be taken with a grain of salt for sure.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:02 pmJIMBO DUDE IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT OUR GOD APPOINTED FATHFULLY CARESSED FOUNDING FATHER PUBLIC SERVANTS DUDE.
SUPPOSE TO BE IMPECCIBLE HONESTY, HARD WORK AND ROCK SOLID INTEGRITY
AND WHAT SERVICE DO THEY PROVIDE TO US DUDE – -
THE FRIGGIN GREASE PITS DUDE, HEADED FOR THE DUMP DUDE
THAT’S THE KIND OF SERVICE WE GET DUDE
May 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pmGross obesity among our “Representatives†is a physical manifestation of their personalities – gluttoneous pigs.
Comment by unbelievable
Funny you mention that.
Jerry Falwell weighed about 400 pounds when he died.
The leader of the “Moral Majority”
Reminds me of the Bishop Beesley character from some of Michael Moorcock’s books for some strange reason.
Beesley was a corrupt gluttonous villain. Using God as a front for his quest for power, money and personaly pleasure.
Falwell was who I envisioned as Bishop Beesley when reading the novels. LOL.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pmIs DC really that expensive? I mean, if our capitol were in New York City, Los Angeles or San Fransisco, the cost of living would be so high that our congress reps would apparently have to be on the payroll of major foreign governments just to get by.
I know, I know, congressional repping requires a lot of travel and all.
But did these guys somehow forget that plenty of people in D.C. work for salaries that are less than the national average and that they still somehow manage to eat and have a place to live?
May 27th, 2007 at 1:09 pmBlech. I’d really like to know what I did to piss you off, gummitch. :P
Heh.— Zooey
You don’t want to play daily whack-a-pol?
Comment by gummitch
I’ll loan you my aluminum bat….. ( easier too clean than a wood bat )
ROFLMAO
You guys have me laughing hard with that one
May 27th, 2007 at 1:13 pmThe flies never leave the s***
May 27th, 2007 at 1:15 pmfor long. You may wave them a way for a while, but they will be back. Frankly, it sounds to me like a pundit without a clue.
But did these guys somehow forget that plenty of people in D.C. work for salaries that are less than the national average and that they still somehow manage to eat and have a place to live?
Comment by mike m.
People in the Washington Ghetto, in the heart of the city live on minimum wage jobs. Sometimes they manage to eat in a place not fit to live.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:18 pm“Funny you mention that.
Jerry Falwell weighed about 400 pounds when he died.
Comment by Wayne — May 27, 2007 @ 1:08 pm”
Explains the many chins…
I do think inner thoughts can manifest themselves into outer physical traits when they are extreme. I would never suggest judging someone by appearances alone, as there are other factors that could make someone look this way (health, hard life, etc.), but sometimes, it fits.
Maybe Moorcock imagined Falwell for his character also? LOL
May 27th, 2007 at 1:22 pmYou don’t want to play daily whack-a-pol?
Comment by gummitch
Oy, I can whack ‘em from a distance…..
(Always happy to entertain, Wayne)
May 27th, 2007 at 1:23 pm#5 said it right;How is this bad?
May 27th, 2007 at 1:27 pmbut then look who is making the claim ,Borger.Look I made the Brooklyn bridge single-handedly ? you buying that too ?
I think what we need is an non-political oversight board for Washington, with enforcement teeth. Able to file criminal charges, appoint independant prosecutors and such.
Maybe the people, not the Pols, nominate people from local law enforcement, district attoneys, etc.
The internal congressional ethics commities have never really worked well.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:27 pmFoxes do not investigate Foxes when they are all raiding the henhouse.
“Is DC really that expensive?”
Yeah. About two years ago I looked into moving there, and it wasn’t much different than the rent I was paying in San Francisco.
“I mean, if our capitol were in New York City, Los Angeles or San Fransisco, the cost of living would be so high that our congress reps would apparently have to be on the payroll of major foreign governments just to get by.”
I’d be for public housing for them. We could build them some very nice townhouses that they could rent very inexpensively.
“But did these guys somehow forget that plenty of people in D.C. work for salaries that are less than the national average and that they still somehow manage to eat and have a place to live?
Comment by mike m. — May 27, 2007 @ 1:09 pm”
Exactly. They want much-better-than standards. It’s why we are so annoyed with their whining.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:28 pm“They only need an apartment in either DC or their home state, and then a household in the opposite place. Considering an apartment in DC is about $2,000 a month, that’s only $24,000 a year.”
$24k per year in after-tax income, plus whatever per year in after tax income in their home districts. Some of which (on the coasts) are considerably more expensive than in the ‘tween states and rural areas.
Travel: a CA representative gets more than a PA representative in reimbursement. They do get car allowances – remember the stories about the gas guzzlers they get on their office accounts. But a representative who goes back to the district all the time may exceed the reimbursement budget.
As a congressman LBJ famously lived beyond his means. Then he bought a radio station and anyone who wanted his notice advertised on it. Soon, he was a multi-millionaire.
As far as mass-resignation, I doubt it. Probably more like early retirement. It could mean a generational shift of the type seen from time to time – the 1994 Republican revolution was really a generational shift toward young(er) southerners.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:29 pmKate Henry
Hate to say it, but public financing doesn’t help. The only real way to get rid of corruption in government is to keep a strong eye on it and vote out the guys who are corrupt. In other words, Democracy requires active oversight the population it governs.
You need a strong fourth estate coupled with a population willing to tell the political talking heads where they can shove their failed ideology and wasted promises before you can get rid of corruption.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:29 pm“Maybe the people, not the Pols, nominate people from local law enforcement, district attoneys, etc. The internal congressional ethics commities have never really worked well. Foxes do not investigate Foxes when they are all raiding the henhouse.
Comment by Wayne — May 27, 2007 @ 1:27 pm”
We definitely need some independent oversight… And soon.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:31 pm“$24k per year in after-tax income, plus whatever per year in after tax income in their home districts. Some of which (on the coasts) are considerably more expensive than in the ‘tween states and rural areas.”
I’m still not impressed. I’ve lived in California. $82,500.00 (half of $165k) is still a very nice salary.
“As far as mass-resignation, I doubt it. Probably more like early retirement. It could mean a generational shift of the type seen from time to time – the 1994 Republican revolution was really a generational shift toward young(er) southerners.
Comment by Droid — May 27, 2007 @ 1:29 pm”
I still see it as good news :)
May 27th, 2007 at 1:34 pmMass resignations – my foot!
May 27th, 2007 at 1:35 pmAnd this would be a bad thing because…?
May 27th, 2007 at 1:38 pm“Hate to say it, but public financing doesn’t help.”
I don’t see how it couldn’t in terms of getting the power (finance) back in the hands of the people, and out of the hands of the corporations.
“The only real way to get rid of corruption in government is to keep a strong eye on it and vote out the guys who are corrupt. In other words, Democracy requires active oversight the population it governs.”
And a voter system free from fraud…
“You need a strong fourth estate coupled with a population willing to tell the political talking heads where they can shove their failed ideology and wasted promises before you can get rid of corruption.
Comment by Bruce Gorton — May 27, 2007 @ 1:29 pm”
We’re working on that… But it seems to be taking longer than we’d like.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:38 pmI dont understand why all lobbying isnt just outlawed?
Why cant people who want issues to be considered submit them in PDF format to a .gov website along with a $1000 check for processing fees just like patents are done. Then legislators aids can sort through the requests to look for items they want to take action on…. news orgs can sort through the public database just like patents can be done… and normal citizens can look through them as well…
All out in the open….
May 27th, 2007 at 1:38 pmThis will never happen. These are “win at all cost” monsters. Their ignorance is only surpassed by the arrogance. Until the day they are frogmarched from the floor, they’ll go on abusing the system they hacked at for the last six years. Not one ounce of honesty or integrity.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:54 pmunbelievable
Look I must admit I have a bit of a different view on it because of South Africa, where we have a “revolutionary” government which has devolved the place down to one party politics. We currently have a situation where the next president of the ANC may well become the next president of the country, and that could be Jacob “Had sex with a HIV positive woman, knowing she had AIDS, and then claimed he prevented getting the desease by having a shower afterwords” Zuma.
Consequently we have a situation where major corruption is common, and even defended (EG: Our chief of police is chummy with our chief of the mafia) because ultimately our government just can’t quite imagine getting voted out.
If you are going to introduce it, you are going to have to be very careful how you introduce it. Don’t make the same mistakes South Africa made, having it on a proportional basis for example, is about the worst thing possible.
May 27th, 2007 at 2:00 pmWhy cant people who want issues to be considered submit them in PDF format to a .gov website along with a $1000 check for processing fees just like patents are done.
— Gerald Gibson Jr
How about representatives be required to get out of the air conditioning and actually talk to, listen and respond to their constituents, the voters.
Wouldn’t that be a nice change.
May 27th, 2007 at 2:00 pmThat would be almost like that archaic sytem called….
what was that word?
Oh yeah, Democracy
“But, I’m quite sure that they will find a way around the new rules. It has happened every time Congress has passed any meaningful legislation to address the corrupting influence of lobbyist money buying Congresspeople.”
The Key Word here being “meaningful”…
“Meaningful Legislation” would not leave any “way ar4ound the new rules”…
How long does it take for you catch on?
You’re being Conned…
It’s why there’s never been any “meaningful” attempt at Gun Control…
May 27th, 2007 at 2:07 pm#60
NOT OUNCE OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY DUDE………….
I SAY ROUND UP ALL THESE HIGH CLASS THUGS AND THROW THEM
IN THE SLAMMER DUDE…
THESE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE EQUIVALENT TO ROCK SOLID GOD APPOINTED SERVANTS WHERE INTEGRITY AND HONESTY COULDN’T BE CLOSER TO GOD DUDE
BASICALLY WE ARE DEALING WITH A BUNCH OF HIGH CLASS THUGS DUDE
AND ANYTHING THEY FRIGGIN DUDE, FAST SMOOTH, SHIFTY EYED CROOKS!!
A BUNCH OF SWINDLERS DUDE, IF NOT ONE SINGLE OUNCE OF INTEGRITY OR HONESTY DUDE…. SO THEY FRIGGIN LIE THROUGH THEIR TEETH.
SUPPOSE TO BE TRUTH/HONESTY/INTEGRITY INSTEAD 180 DEGREES THE OTHER WAY…
ROUND UP ALL THESE FRIGGIN THUGS AND THROW THEM IN THE SLAMMER DUDE…
START FROM THE HIGHEST CLASS HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY AND WORK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE TOTALLY CORRUPT CEO’S
AND THROUGH EVERY SINGLE CRIMINAL DUDE IN THE SLAMMER
AND THROUGH THAT DOG GONE KEY AWAY FOREVER DUDE
May 27th, 2007 at 2:22 pmWould that it were so. If most or even several leave, HOOOORRAYYYY!
May 27th, 2007 at 2:24 pmLAST POST LAST PARAGRAPH CORRECTION = THROW NOT THROUGH
NOW….
IT’S TIME FOR JIMBO DUDE TO TAKE A CHILL PILLL
DUDE
AFTER SPEAKING ALL THIS TRUTH
AND FOR JIMBO DUDE TO
CHILL
May 27th, 2007 at 2:30 pmOUT DUDE :)
If they leave because of stricter ethics standards then we are better off with out them.
May 27th, 2007 at 2:39 pmJimbo,
The caps are kinda hard on the eyes, Dude.
May 27th, 2007 at 2:41 pm# 55:
“I still see it as good news :)”
AGREED!
May 27th, 2007 at 2:42 pm“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out of DC!
Comment by shane — May 27, 2007″
We Republicans just might get back control of the House!
May 27th, 2007 at 2:49 pmRight….
May 27th, 2007 at 2:49 pmAnd Mexicans are going to flee the country to avoid the $5000 fine.
I think the REAL reason for so many Legislators not seeking re-election is that they are tied to Bush’s Iraq Policy, and they sense Voter Wrath and an election Bloodbath.
May 27th, 2007 at 2:58 pm#71
dude…. that’s totally corrupted too dude… it ain’t a issue regarding
immigration reform dude…. that is all corrupted
take a look at i think it’s north american union or free trade union…
that is going on behind the scene. the real goal is to erase the
borders between mexico and canada… it’s all friggin corrupted by
a bunch of fast smooth talking totally bought out political swindlers,
all of them dude are a bunch of parasites, shisters, hoodlums and
outright has sold us out dude,
DUDE
May 27th, 2007 at 2:58 pmWASHINGTON IS FRIGGIN BOUGHT OUT BY A BUNCH OF CRIMINALS DUDE
I’m skeptical of a mass exodus. I’ll have to see it before I believe it.
I suppose I could consider buying U-Haul stock; that’s probably where the next million dollar profit is. Everyone here has made a million or more in the last five years by flipping homes and condos. That well is now dry.
Easy money is a cog in the Washington wheel, but easy sex is a cog in the Washington wheel, too. Easy money or easy sex? That’s a tough choice! Well, I suppose it’s not an all or nothing proposition, but sleeping with an aging wife is less fun than sleeping with some young, intelligent, pretty thing employed by a Washington Madam. According to Tobias, it’s just like ordering pizza.
Ordering women just like pizza back in Peoria, Muncie, or College Station might be a little more difficult than in Washington. Eventually, these over-sexed politicians will come to their senses, if they know what’s good for them.
May 27th, 2007 at 3:08 pmComment by Wayne
That is no more possible than it is for Bill Gates to talk to each of his employees one on one. I am talking about these people acting like professionals with documentation systems using modern technology. To stream line the process and record a log of how everything is handled so there is no option for corruption.
May 27th, 2007 at 3:23 pmBefore you bet the farm on the “corruption” exit polls from November, don’t forget that a lot of people would have included Mark Foley-style sexual misconduct under that heading.
May 27th, 2007 at 3:27 pmWe Republicans just might get back control of the House!
Comment by michael
In your dreams, michelle.
May 27th, 2007 at 3:36 pmThis is the same bunch of d*cks that wouldn’t raise minimum wage for ten years. Who think poor people can live on $3 a day in food stamps. And they can’t make it on $165,000 a year. Boo f*cking hoo. I’m sure many people who have lost their jobs due to NAFTA and the lack of enforcement of laws in place for undocumented workers etc. would be happy to have a job as a congressman at any salary. And as we have all learned from recent congressional hearings and the inability of them to accomplish anything when they have a crook cornered, they’re no rocket scientists.
May 27th, 2007 at 3:41 pmthe end of the republican party…yippeeeee!!!!
May 27th, 2007 at 3:48 pm.
WHAT I’M SAYING DUDE IS – -
- a bunch of fast, smooth, shifty eyed –
POLITICAL PARASITES DUDE… that is only the ones that are corrupted
dude and heaven only knows how many of them there are…..
that’s why it’s so dog gone challenging to proven corruption….
NAFTA, CAFTA, FTAA, is the REAL ISSUE regarding immigration reform…
it friggin has nothing to do with immigration issues…. THE REAL ISSUE
IS
North American Union, or the North American Free Trade Union….. now
i don’t know that for sure, but that is what the theory is – -
But one thing for sure – - These dog done hoodlums… this issue of
campaign promises go as far back as i can remember. They know very
well they don’t plan to keep their promise… time and time again… and
it AIN’T a ethics issue….. it’s a outright friggin swindling LIE…. Throw in
our elf’s pot and lobbyists and it’s a friggin mess… literally a cesspool of
Political parasites, maggots, chiggards, roaches, leeches, rats, worms,
wasps, manure…. a friggin MESS dude of political political corruption DUDE
and this reform issue NOT FRIGGIN ONCE dude, it’s all…..friggin corrupted
what we need to do is round up all these liars from the highest house of
the land all the way to the crinimal bribing ceo and his agent AND HOLD
ALL THESE CRIMINALS RESPONSIBLE…..
IT’S NOT A MINOR FRIGGIN ETHICAL ISSUE……. it’s flat out serious lying,
bribing, literally a conspiracy dude…. at the friggin highest level
NOW I STAND STRONG
we the people get superior A+ service at friggin a 3′rd class restraunt
called Mcdonald’s
and from our trusty ultimately rock solid integrity servants
WE GET THE FRIGGIN GREASE PITS and service that is F + F again
and THAT’S because of all the liars, shifty eyed fast talking SWINDLERS
dude, that choose to participate in the cesspool of complete political
corruption – more like high class criminals
I don’t know if it’s all corrupted, or if all of our politicians participate, but
May 27th, 2007 at 4:29 pma sizeable percentage do!!!
The funny thing is that she thinks this is a threat.
Ohnoes! Not that!
May 27th, 2007 at 4:51 pmComment by Jimbo DUDE
Thanks, much easier to read now =)
May 27th, 2007 at 4:53 pmYeah… at least the best i can make of it “on the streets” it’s
immigration reform.
but what is really going on “behind the scenes” and the REAL GOAL
had to do with NAFTA and CAFTA which are just parts of the FTAA
and the ongoing GOAL what the Rich really want is North America Union
eliminating free trade borders of both mexico and canada.
In year 2005, congress voted liked like 250 – 175 AGAINST IT, but after
trusty Dracula came in and held the totally corrupt arm twisting violating
numerous laws…. finally it was passed 217 – 215 voting for it..
so the goal is by 2010 north america free union will become a reality…
infact right now there’s a huge super highway being built between
mexico – texas – canada….
bet you didn’t hear that on the news
IT’S SO FRIGGIN CORRUPTED AND BOUGHT OUT, IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE
EVERYONE PUKE….
particuarly when that standard of living will drop like a rock…..
while they get rich rich rich they buy out washington and we get
May 27th, 2007 at 5:08 pmstiffed stiffed stiffed
oh and my understanding it consists of condo rice a bunch of others,
here, here’s some link about north american union
http://stopspp.com/
and
http://www.vdare.com/misc/070416_sheehy.htm
head on 217 – 215 arm twisting dracula votes according to washington post
IT’S SO FRIGGIN CORRUPT
never ever will there be reform
Washington is totally bought out and sold out for that matter
May 27th, 2007 at 5:13 pmThat is no more possible than it is for Bill Gates to talk to each of his employees one on one.
Comment by Gerald Gibson Jr
Sure it is.
May 27th, 2007 at 5:15 pmHold open meetings when not in Washington working. Kind of like a city council meeting, with debate and comments from those citizens that care enough to go to the meeting and participate in their democracy.
and that arm twisting in a rare session included of all people:
george w. bush
condo rice
cheny
+ numerous others, they held the vote against it open until it passed,
illegally held the vote open
how’s that for serving the people?
stricter ethics, reform, right….. it’s friggin corrupted, it’s a friggin joke
May 27th, 2007 at 5:19 pmJimbo DUDE,
May 27th, 2007 at 6:07 pmI learned to read about 63 years ago. My maternal nana taught me. I was a bit over three at the time. I use capital letters and periods to demark my reading range. All lower case is about as bad as all capital letters. When I read a book, I absorb a sentence at a time. Naturally, that is hampered by sentences that comprise more than 11 or 12 words.
Here let me update a history covering from the last democratic congress
until now
we had newt gingrich and the rest of those birds buying $25,000 silk
covered chairs, but they were getting their own water to save costs
while cutting back on that expense. i believe clinton passed in 1994
nafta and later on we had a brief period of economic recovery or that
high tech fabricated stock market bubble
by 1999, we the people were so disgusted with the democrats we
voted in the repubicians believing their promise. 2001 – 2003 another
huge bubble this time real estate. we have seen enron, dracula’s and
a passage of cafta which is continued growth from 1994 of ftaa/nafta
under democrats.
in 2006, we the people got so sick and tired of dracula and that culture
and believed the democrats this time….. now we are about 6 months
into this
we have so far witnsessed 6 months farther action regarding iraq and most of the country is probably in a dumb down daze whether we have
been sold out or the democrats will clean it up in september 2007.
apart from that we have the healthcare fiasco and immigration and again
reflecting on a continuation of ftaa, nafta, cafta and a ultimate or continuation of that as stated… north american free union or free trade by 2010.
nobody knows for sure what will finally happen in the future and after the
fact, signed into law… it’s too late. however history proves wages are stagnate and outsourcing and immigration ar all a reality by “policy” or
corruption.
most important, do you believe we the people are having our reciprocal
interest or fair handshake served? direction of the country, integrity within
policy set in this country… are you receiving services in a fair handshake
or are you dumb downed, confused WITH A FULL DISCLOSURE or in fact is
this just sneaky minipulative propanganda and infact political corruption in
disguise?
would i be stating A+ service at Mcdonalds for we the people at a third cut
rate service….. compared to double F’s
we the people do overact, that is human nature, what’s important is GOALS, GROWTH, PROGRESS… and most important, actions ALWAYS
speak louder than words and tack on politics or political policy in this
country that will someday indirectly or directly affect you and your loved
ones
Unless literally by the grace of god, mass resignation is related to repentents (which infact i don’t even go to church)… i ain’t preaching
nothing, but unless there is mass integrity and honesty corrections
within the 110th and the upcoming prez administration… lets all hope
however 1994 thru 2007 is a long history that originally goes all the way
back to literally kennedy, nixon, + reagan
at best dude…. i smell a rat, infact a entire cesspool of parasites
May 27th, 2007 at 6:17 pmEthics, schmethics. Those clowns has no concept of morality or honor or fair play or doing what’s right. They were elected, supposedly, to serve their constituents; however, they only serve their handlers, lobbyists and their party. Truth and honesty be dammed.
May 27th, 2007 at 6:19 pm? a cesspool of rats, lizzards, chiggards, political leeches, crony’s, parasites
May 27th, 2007 at 6:38 pma bunch of shifty eyed fast talking swindlers, bribery criminal ring, a bunch
of crinimals that belong in the slammer ??? yet the system is totally rigged?? a bunch of the ultimate rich being served so we pay and get poor while they almighty own the world and get rich rich rich ???
Yeah right. Like those people are dependent upon their salary for their living in the first place.
May 27th, 2007 at 6:40 pm#45 Comment by William Jensen — May 27, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
The flies never leave the s***
for long. You may wave them a way for a while, but they will be back. Frankly, it sounds to me like a pundit without a clue.
Perfect!
May 27th, 2007 at 7:25 pmif these people need to be in bed with corporate dysfunctional America, so be it. Leave DC immediately and you will be replaced with a human being that cares about the people they are representing. Go hurry, before anyone finds out what losers you really are.
May 27th, 2007 at 7:41 pmTime to clean house.
May 27th, 2007 at 8:21 pmLISTEN WE WILL SEE HOW THE DEMOCRATS PERSERVE AMERICAN TRUCKER UNION JOBS
As stated North american union (link)
http://stopspp.com/stopspp/?p=86#comments
American truckers are the next to go outsourced. It’s happening right
before our eyes. WILL YOUR JOB BE NEXT????
Literally complete unraveling of the american middle class, thread by thread.
This is friggin SO corrupt it’s enough literally for everyone to puke
May 27th, 2007 at 8:22 pmwhat could be more obvious for getting rid of republicans: ethical enforcement. If they can’t game the system, republicans will surely have no interest in government.
May 27th, 2007 at 9:17 pm.
The only way republicans win elections is by cheating, the only way they govern is by cheating. Republicans are crooks, liars, and cowards. Nuff said.
May 27th, 2007 at 9:33 pmWatch for mass resignations from House members, who are now saying they can’t afford to live here unless they’re bought and paid for by lobbyists. they’re going to leave.
It looks like it’s either them or us.
“We the People” no longer have anywhere left to go.
May 27th, 2007 at 9:40 pmThe free speech argument reminds me of a conversation with a Polish friend of mind who grew up under Soviet control. He is amazed at the strength of the propaganda here. One day he was telling me about that, his family back home couldn’t believe that America has such strong propaganda. I said, “well they call that free speech.” He asked, “And what about corruption and bribing?” I said, “they have that here too. It’s called free speech.” He shook his head, “So in the Soviet Union they call it propaganda and here they call it free speech. It the Soviet Union, they call it corruption and bribes and here they call it free speech.”
“Exactly,” I replied.
May 27th, 2007 at 10:53 pmComment by gummitch — May 27, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
It is just very difficult for me to have much sympathy for someone who just cannot live on $165,000+/year yet fights tooth and nail to prevent any increase in minimum wage.
They knew the jobs for which they had applied involved a physical relocation and/or the maintenance of two homes. If they cannot afford it, they should not have competed for the jobs.
Someone somewhere awhile back mentioned this. Why do they even need to be in DC? What with the Internets and all, they could perform their government business from their home districts at a tremendous savings to all concerned.
May 27th, 2007 at 11:41 pmComment by Alejandro — May 27, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
In other countries it’s called bribery, in the US it’s called electoral campaign contribution.
In other countries they call it influence peddling, in the US it’s called lobbying.
People in other countries they want their officials to discontinue those practices and make them illegal. In the US they are perfectly legal and deemed essential part of a healthy democracy.
Go figure.
May 28th, 2007 at 2:18 amMaybe the cesspool that is DC will finally be clean enough to conduct business.
May 28th, 2007 at 2:18 amIMMEDIATE ETHICS REFORM
A bill should be passed that specifies that any person serving in congress, is a member of the current presidential administration, or who contracts with federal or state government must serve any incarceration in the general population of a real prison. This would create immediate ethics reform. You see what the possibility of imprisonment did to Paris Hilton; our political leaders would be much worse in their reaction to such a sentence.
May 28th, 2007 at 7:53 amIt should be illegal for lobbyists to actually write proposed legislation, which invariably tilts to the special interest. It may sound foolish, with the record of this crowd, but writing and passing legislation actually good for John Q Public was the original reason and JOB of elected reps in the first place. Sounds quaint in the face of the greedy military-industrial complex actually running this country.
May 28th, 2007 at 9:15 amAn eye-catching quote to be sure but it smells like baloney.
The legislation, as I understand it, is cracking down on small items like lunches. Most of these cats are millionaires going into Congress so their salaries are just grocery and haircut money.
But I’m sure there are some who are of modest means like you and I. For them, the plush salary ain’t so grand because they have to maintain a 2nd home in outrageously expensive DC. I can relate (if not sympathize) because many years ago I pondered a job offer in DC and had to turn it down when I found an efficieny apartment in Roslyn would have eaten up nearly 1/2 my gross salary.
I think it was Charles Shumer I heard interviewed who discussed how he shared an apartment with several other Congressmen. They were basically living like a bunch of college kids living in an overcrowded dump to get by.
I sincerely doubt many, if any, members of Congress will resign over this. But my hope would be that we’re not seeing a disturbing trend expand that you have to be a member of the financial elite in America to serve in high office.
May 28th, 2007 at 10:53 amBorger; wasn’t she one of the pundits who prefered Bush to Gore as a guy to have a beer with?
May 28th, 2007 at 10:57 am#12
“In the early days of the republic, it was thought an honor and a civic duty of the wealthy class to serve their country as an elected representative.”
I’d settle for defending their country from terrorist. Didn’t the British loose the “flower” of their upper classes on Flander’s Fields?
May 28th, 2007 at 12:18 pmUhhh? Excuse me Ms. Borger, but isn’t that the purpose of the proposed Ethics reforms? Personally, I wouldn’t mind if say, ohh, I don’t know, something like 195 members of the house resigned. Maybe then we could get people that really care about this country to run our country; ethically!
May 28th, 2007 at 8:30 pmI watched the end of this segment..she also said Hillary would be in the single digits of approval ratings by the end of summer; I’m not buying what she’s selling.
May 28th, 2007 at 9:54 pmWell, now ain’t that somethin? These multi-millionaires can’t live on over a hundred thousand dollars salary, with free health care and countless fringe benefits. How do these criminals expect a family of four to live on half that, or less, pay for their own health care, and maybe send their kids to school so they have a better life than they did?
Answer: they don’t give a rat’s patootie. It’s “I — Me — Mine” 24/7/365.
May 29th, 2007 at 8:15 amActually there is something else that may possibly cause this to happen and the reason is most difficult to believe for everyone.
May 29th, 2007 at 3:55 pmAs long as the Republican War party has members in Congress you will have graft. The big corporations that are making billions on our occupation of Iraq will continue to feed the Republican sharks that love war and hate our troops. These republithugs have no morals nor ethics.
June 2nd, 2007 at 5:27 pm