Comments on: Senate passes ethics bill. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:34:18 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Solitaire http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-5/#comment-3984777 Solitaire Sat, 04 Aug 2007 03:29:17 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3984777 STOPPING their abilitiy to "fund pet projects and raise money from lobbyists".. now THAT would be "the biggest advance in congressional ethics in decades.” Passing a law to ask them to please just report the bribes,... weak. It will maybe produce more evidence behind what the American public already knows,... our politicians are bought and paid for. But the American public also knows it can't change that, the politicians in office would have to change it... and they won't because the bribes pay for the ads that keep them in office. It's a closed system that cannot be changed. So we have all been assured that we don't have to worry about what we cannot change, right? STOPPING their abilitiy to “fund pet projects and raise money from lobbyists”.. now THAT would be “the biggest advance in congressional ethics in decades.”
Passing a law to ask them to please just report the bribes,… weak.
It will maybe produce more evidence behind what the American public already knows,… our politicians are bought and paid for. But the American public also knows it can’t change that, the politicians in office would have to change it… and they won’t because the bribes pay for the ads that keep them in office. It’s a closed system that cannot be changed.
So we have all been assured that we don’t have to worry about what we cannot change, right?

]]> By: sam http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-5/#comment-3984608 sam Sat, 04 Aug 2007 01:59:26 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3984608 Judges aren’t supposed to be partisan, you inbred idiots. Comment by Tom3 — August 2, 2007 @ 6:26 pm Unless Dems are appointing them. Judges aren’t supposed to be partisan, you inbred idiots.
Comment by Tom3 — August 2, 2007 @ 6:26 pm

Unless Dems are appointing them.

]]> By: rockyroad http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-5/#comment-3984321 rockyroad Fri, 03 Aug 2007 22:48:30 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3984321 Congressional ethics . . . once an oximoron imited to Congress . . . now calls for formation of a 12-Step program for all three branches of government. Step 1: Admit you've got a problem . . . Congressional ethics . . . once an oximoron imited to Congress . . . now calls for formation of a 12-Step program for all three branches of government.

Step 1: Admit you’ve got a problem . . .

]]> By: sam http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-5/#comment-3984124 sam Fri, 03 Aug 2007 20:00:27 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3984124 From the Forbes article: “All 14 senators who voted against the bill were Republicans.” Of course they were! Corruption is the only true value of the Republican crime family. Comment by War4Sale — August 2, 2007 @ 6:43 pm No, they realize the bill was gutted before it came to a vote and it's now meaningless. From the Forbes article:

“All 14 senators who voted against the bill were Republicans.”

Of course they were! Corruption is the only true value of the Republican crime family.

Comment by War4Sale — August 2, 2007 @ 6:43 pm

No, they realize the bill was gutted before it came to a vote and it’s now meaningless.

]]> By: Locked in the Bone http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-5/#comment-3983868 Locked in the Bone Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:18:29 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983868 What's the latest Congressional Approval? In the teens still? What’s the latest Congressional Approval? In the teens still?

]]> By: sam http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-5/#comment-3983644 sam Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:53:12 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983644 If nothing else, our esteemed leaders are masters at making people think they are doing something that they aren't. The original bill was good. The final bill does very little. "Following the conclusion of secret negotiations intended to bypass the normal legislative process, compromise language on earmark reform was announced. If enacted, the new language will gut the earmark reform provisions that were passed in January in S. 1, the Senate ethics and lobbying reform bill, and which are already in effect in the House of Representatives. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is blocking all amendments and has filed cloture to cut off debate on the measure. Government watchdog and taxpayer advocacy groups join Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), in a call to oppose cloture and allow the senators to offer an amendment to restore the original earmark reform language. The message from taxpayers to the Congress is clear: STOP SECRET EARMARKS NOW!" http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/News2?abbr=CCAGW_&page=NewsArticle&id=10920 If nothing else, our esteemed leaders are masters at making people think they are doing something that they aren’t. The original bill was good. The final bill does very little.

“Following the conclusion of secret negotiations intended to bypass the normal legislative process, compromise language on earmark reform was announced. If enacted, the new language will gut the earmark reform provisions that were passed in January in S. 1, the Senate ethics and lobbying reform bill, and which are already in effect in the House of Representatives. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is blocking all amendments and has filed cloture to cut off debate on the measure. Government watchdog and taxpayer advocacy groups join Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), in a call to oppose cloture and allow the senators to offer an amendment to restore the original earmark reform language. The message from taxpayers to the Congress is clear: STOP SECRET EARMARKS NOW!”
http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/News2?abbr=CCAGW_&page=NewsArticle&id=10920

]]> By: Zooey http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-5/#comment-3983602 Zooey Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:09:50 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983602 Surprise. Both of my Senators voted NO. They should be investigated. First, for corruption. Second, to find out whatever happened to their brains. Surprise. Both of my Senators voted NO.

They should be investigated.

First, for corruption.
Second, to find out whatever happened to their brains.

]]> By: JPark http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-5/#comment-3983310 JPark Fri, 03 Aug 2007 01:09:18 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983310 "- a.n.t.i.n.u.l.l.i.f.i.c.a.t.i.o.n. -" Are you a grand cyclops? “- a.n.t.i.n.u.l.l.i.f.i.c.a.t.i.o.n. -”

Are you a grand cyclops?

]]> By: Gorgias http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983306 Gorgias Fri, 03 Aug 2007 01:06:22 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983306 - a.n.t.i.n.u.l.l.i.f.i.c.a.t.i.o.n. - - a.n.t.i.n.u.l.l.i.f.i.c.a.t.i.o.n. -

]]> By: Gorgias http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983302 Gorgias Fri, 03 Aug 2007 01:03:32 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983302 No way, I like katy. No way, I like katy.

]]> By: JPark http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983299 JPark Fri, 03 Aug 2007 01:01:17 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983299 I think you were just insulted, katy. I think you were just insulted, katy.

]]> By: Gorgias http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983274 Gorgias Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:42:53 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983274 katy = kool katy = kool

]]> By: katy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983264 katy Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:21:56 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983264 more from rachel's blog... this time, mostly on topic: <em>The FDA has cut its safety inspections by 47% in the last three years, but one department that didn't suffer cutbacks? <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/01/AR2007080102600.html" rel="nofollow">The department of quadrupling cash bonuses to top officials</a></em> ... more from rachel’s blog… this time, mostly on topic:

The FDA has cut its safety inspections by 47% in the last three years, but one department that didn’t suffer cutbacks?
The department of quadrupling cash bonuses to top officials

…

]]> By: KYJurisDoctor http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983250 KYJurisDoctor Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:03:19 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983250 It is about time, too! http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2007/08/u-s-senate-overwhelmingly-approves.html#links It is about time, too!

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2007/08/u-s-senate-overwhelmingly-approves.html#links

]]> By: The Republic of Stupidity http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983249 The Republic of Stupidity Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:58:52 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983249 Two weeks ago, one of the most important Republican lawyers in Sacramento quietly filed a ballot initiative that would end the practice of granting all fifty-five of California’s electoral votes to the statewide winner. […] http://www.newyorker.com/ talk/ comment/ 2007/ 08/ 06/ 070806taco_talk_hertzberg?printable=true . Comment by katy — August 2, 2007 @ 7:51 pm I heard about that one. Probably one of those funky "collecting signatures outside the Safeway" thingies. I don't think it'll get by in CA. I live in the Bay Area and people around here are pretty on to that initiative scam by now. It's been pretty thoroughly abused by special interests trying to buy their own pet legislation. Have no doubt, the right folks in CA will make sure THAT gets plenty of attention leading into whatever election it comes up on. Bush lost badly both times he ran for Pres out here. I can't imagine the general electorate will willfully aid Repubs to that degree. S/B interesting to see how they try to spin that one for the public. Two weeks ago, one of the most important Republican lawyers in Sacramento quietly filed a ballot initiative that would end the practice of granting all fifty-five of California’s electoral votes to the statewide winner.
[…]
http://www.newyorker.com/ talk/ comment/ 2007/ 08/ 06/ 070806taco_talk_hertzberg?printable=true
.

Comment by katy — August 2, 2007 @ 7:51 pm

I heard about that one. Probably one of those funky “collecting signatures outside the Safeway” thingies. I don’t think it’ll get by in CA. I live in the Bay Area and people around here are pretty on to that initiative scam by now. It’s been pretty thoroughly abused by special interests trying to buy their own pet legislation.

Have no doubt, the right folks in CA will make sure THAT gets plenty of attention leading into whatever election it comes up on. Bush lost badly both times he ran for Pres out here. I can’t imagine the general electorate will willfully aid Repubs to that degree. S/B interesting to see how they try to spin that one for the public.

]]> By: Jim http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983248 Jim Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:58:41 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983248 #189: <em>This bill is all show. Nobody’s going to follow it, and none of the politicians are going to offer oversight.</em> You can't enforce a law if there is no law. This bill is clearly a step in the right direction, despite your cynical attempts to downplay it. Now it's up to us, the American people, to insist that the law be enforced. You can bet they'll enforce it if they hear from enough of their constituents, and if corrupt politicians get voted out of office. #189: This bill is all show. Nobody’s going to follow it, and none of the politicians are going to offer oversight.

You can’t enforce a law if there is no law. This bill is clearly a step in the right direction, despite your cynical attempts to downplay it. Now it’s up to us, the American people, to insist that the law be enforced. You can bet they’ll enforce it if they hear from enough of their constituents, and if corrupt politicians get voted out of office.

]]> By: Jim http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983246 Jim Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:56:05 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983246 #23: <em>This is why no one likes you liberals</em> I like liberals. #23: This is why no one likes you liberals

I like liberals.

]]> By: katy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983244 katy Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:54:23 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983244 no, tros, i wasn't... but you knew that... as evidence by the lack of trooll poop resulting from that... ... oh, can you figure out what comment i'm referring to? hmmmm? . no, tros, i wasn’t… but you knew that…
as evidence by the lack of trooll poop resulting from that…
…

oh, can you figure out what comment i’m referring to?
hmmmm?
.

]]> By: katy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983239 katy Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:51:28 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983239 * ATTENTION CALIFORNIANS * i'm directed (by rachel) to make sure this gets passed around... you need to let your fellow citizens about this: <em><strong>Votescam</strong> by Hendrik Hertzberg August 6, 2007 At first glance, next year’s Presidential election looks like a blowout But it might not be. Luckily for the incumbent party, neither George W. Bush nor Dick Cheney will be running; indeed, the election of 2008 will be the first since 1952 without a sitting President or Vice-President on the ballot. At the moment, survey research reflects a generic public preference for a Democratic victory next year. Still, despite everything, there are nearly as many polls showing particular Republicans beating particular Democrats as vice versa. So this election could be another close one. If it is, the winner may turn out to have been chosen not on November 4, 2008, but five months earlier, on June 3rd. <strong>Two weeks ago, one of the most important Republican lawyers in Sacramento quietly filed a ballot initiative that would end the practice of granting all fifty-five of California’s electoral votes to the statewide winner.</strong> [...] http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2007/08/06/070806taco_talk_hertzberg?printable=true</em> . * ATTENTION CALIFORNIANS *

i’m directed (by rachel) to make sure this gets passed around…
you need to let your fellow citizens about this:

Votescam
by Hendrik Hertzberg August 6, 2007

At first glance, next year’s Presidential election looks like a blowout But it might not be. Luckily for the incumbent party, neither George W. Bush nor Dick Cheney will be running; indeed, the election of 2008 will be the first since 1952 without a sitting President or Vice-President on the ballot. At the moment, survey research reflects a generic public preference for a Democratic victory next year. Still, despite everything, there are nearly as many polls showing particular Republicans beating particular Democrats as vice versa. So this election could be another close one. If it is, the winner may turn out to have been chosen not on November 4, 2008, but five months earlier, on June 3rd.
Two weeks ago, one of the most important Republican lawyers in Sacramento quietly filed a ballot initiative that would end the practice of granting all fifty-five of California’s electoral votes to the statewide winner.
[...]
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2007/08/06/070806taco_talk_hertzberg?printable=true
.

]]> By: Serenity Now http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/comment-page-4/#comment-3983227 Serenity Now Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:40:56 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/senate-passes-ethics-bill/#comment-3983227 Who's going to enforce these new ethic standards? Oh that's right the unethical people who wrote the laws. Republicans are certainly guilty of a lot of bad behavior. But the Democratic Party doesn't have a spotless record either. This bill is all show. Nobody's going to follow it, and none of the politicians are going to offer oversight. Who’s going to enforce these new ethic standards? Oh that’s right the unethical people who wrote the laws.

Republicans are certainly guilty of a lot of bad behavior. But the Democratic Party doesn’t have a spotless record either.

This bill is all show. Nobody’s going to follow it, and none of the politicians are going to offer oversight.

]]>