Well, there hasn't been much comment here on the newest Washington scandal. The Abramoff payoff scandal is reaching into Congress and the Bush Administration. US News: Scandal could take in at least a dozen in Congress U.S. News has learned that the conduct of at least a dozen representatives and senators is now being scrutinized by a small army of federal prosecutors and FBI agents. Abramoff figures in at least four separate, interrelated scandals: Making Sense of the Abramoff Scandal 1. He and partner Adam Kidan have been indicted on wire fraud and conspiracy charges involving the 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos, a Florida gambling boat venture; 2. He funneled money into the PAC run by House Majority Whip Rep. Tom DeLay that has led to Texas charges against DeLay for illegally laundering campaign donations; 3. He and partner Michael Scanlon are suspected of defrauding and vastly overbilling Native American tribes and other clients with gaming interests; and 4. He and Scanlon are also suspected of bribing and offering gifts and spousal jobs to Congressmembers and Executive Branch officials in exchange for actions favorable to their clients. Now the Abramaoff Scandal is linked to disgraced Republican Leader Tom Delay and it has finished him politically. CNN.com: DeLay finished as majority leader Republicans have been concerned that their grip on power will loosen after the midterm elections, given the popularity of a Democratic argument that a culture of corruption pervades the GOP. In addition to DeLay, Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-California, resigned in November after admitting he took bribes from a defense contractor.
I heard on the radio last week a roll call of much each Congress member got from this guy and his buddies. Like Harry Reid: $80,000, Chuck Schumer: $40,000 etc, etc, etc. Giving money to Congressmen is one thing, but proving it bought anything is something else. Besides, every member of Congress took money from this guy. What's your point REX?
I'll tell you the point, RAMAH. Actually there are several. You should have read the links. 1. Proving a congressman actually did anything in return for the bribe may indeed be difficult in court--but not impossible. Public opinion is much more easily affected in any case. The citizens can put two and two together and politicians know it. Republican Congressman Duke Cunningham resigned just last month over bribe-taking. 2. 2006 is an election year and Abramoff following Tom Delay, following Cunningham, following Scooter Libby is a Republican scandal cascade that tends to support the Democratic contention that a culture of corruption pervades the GOP. 3. Conservatives should think twice before blindly defending public bribery just because Abramoff is a Republican. This will affect the administration (one White House official has already been convicted of lying to investigators), both houses of Congress, and both sides of the aisle.
My mistake. Charged, but not yet convicted. "The Bush administration's former chief procurement official, David H. Safavian, was charged last fall with making false statements and obstructing investigations into a 2002 golf outing." news.yahoo.com/lobbyist_fraud
Hmmm. I suppose that corruption may be worse amongst Republican leaders, but only because Republicans are the majority. I believe it would be the same situation if Democrats were the majority. This could still come into play in a big way during this election year. Democrats will no doubt attempt to use this to their advantage & how Republicans respond will ultimately decide their fate.
Yes it is only Republicans that are corrupt. Democrats never ever do anything dishonest. When the Democrats put Ted Kennedy in Jail for killing Mary Joe then i will accept the bashing of only corrupt Republicans. What about the corrupt Democrat congressman from Louisiana. The truth is that all of them are corrupt to different degree's. Honest men and women get run out of town or dont get re-elected because they dont play ball. Clinton sold out this country to the Chinese . Nothing happenned to him. Trent Lott sold out the Republicans in the impeachment trial. Until we have election reform where special interest lose their strength to influence elections and return to having honest people run for office and be able to get re-elected then we will continue to have these problems. It is not a Democrat versus Republican issue but an American Government and society issue . I am a Republican in views but i am fed up with the whole corrupt system. I suggest you guys watch a movie called Mr Smith Goes To Washington . I believe this is what has happenned to our government .
Wasted cynicism, amigo. Republicans are in power and in the news, it won't go away by remembering Woodrow Wilson. Mary Jo is dead because Teddy was a irresponsible, drunken lecher, probably still is. WTF does that have to do with republican corruption? What about him? If he's convicted he should go to jail with the republicans. If he's only discreditied and disgraced he should resign and go become a lobbyist with the republicans. Absolutely. Of course, this excuses nothing. Explain this one, please. How much did he get for it? On this we can agree. In the current system the politicians have to rent their souls to special interests to get the money required to keep them in office for as long as possible. Corporate and special interest contributions have to go. Term limits would be a great factor since it removes the incentive for incumbents to whore for campaign money. It works in many states, but the Congress blocked the states from imposing them on Congressmen. More importantly lobbyists have to go. The number of registered lobbbyists in Washington has doubled during the Bush administration! More influence is being peddled than ever before. There is no place for corporate and special interest lobbyists here. The Senators are supposed to represent the best interests of their state. The House Members are supposed to represent the best interests of their citizens. The Executive is supposed to represent the best interests of the country. Lobbyists and their bribery, both legal and illegal, interfere with the proper representation that was established by the Constitution and come between the representatives and their constituencies.
Money has always been a part of Washington dudes. It's part of politics period. These candidates need the money to run for office. You wanna run for office with no money? Go try it. Just because money is involved, it doesn't make one corrupt. Like I said, this isn't only a Republican problem with Abramoff.......he gave money to EVERY member of Congress, Dem's and Republicans. If you think for one second that only Republicans will be affected, you're crazy. And as usual, anyone who did anything illegal, ought to be punished for it. But watch, mark my words, how little comes of this. A few Congressmen will be scarred, but ultimately, nothing. Just like the Plame leak "scandal." Not one conviction will be had.
