Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter: Republican Commitment to Ethics Reform

Republican Commitment to Ethics Reform

Thursday January 12, 2006

BACKGROUND:

LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND ON THE IMPLOSION OF ETHICS PROCESS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES

HOUSE REPUBLICANS ATTACKED DELAY’S ACCUSER FOR FILING COMPLAINT CHARGING ETHICS ABUSES:

*Attacked former Congressman Chris Bell for filing an ethics complaint against DeLay, the first in seven years: Republicans attacked former Congressman Chris Bell for filing an ethics complaint against DeLay, the first ethics complaint filed in seven years. DeLay went so far as to call Bell a “partisan stalker.” His lawyer, former Republican Rep. Ed Bethune, accused Bell of libel and tried to initiate contempt of Congress hearings against him. Rep. LaHood (R-IL) immediately proposed legislation that would have blocked legitimately elected, standing members such as Bell from even filing complaints. Rep. Doolittle (R-CA) went as far as threatening that the Republicans “are going to have to respond in kind” comparing it to a matter of “you kill my dog, I’ll kill your cat.” This retaliatory campaign on the part of Republicans was designed to damage the credibility of the ethics process and further discourage Members from filing complaints with the Ethics Committee. [“DeLay to Be Subject of Ethics Complaint; Democrat’s Wide-Ranging Charges Break Unwritten Truce Between Parties,” The Washington Post, 6/15/04; “Shooting the Messenger,” Houston Chronicle, 11/22/04; “LaHood Blasts Ethics Charges Like Bell�s,” Roll Call, 6/17/04; “Ethics Panel May Face Busy Lame-Duck Session,” Roll Call, 10/12/04]

HOUSE REPUBLICANS KEPT CHANGING ETHICS RULES TO PROTECT DELAY:

*Changed House ethics rules to let a complaint die in the Ethics committee: Changed House ethics rules to let a complaint die if the ethics committee cannot decide whether it should be investigated within 45 days. [“Warning: Ethics-Free Zone,” The Washington Post Editorial, 3/14/05]

*Changed House ethics rules to allow a Republican veto of ethics� investigations: Changed House ethics rules to allow a party to block an ethics investigation by voting along party lines, thus denying a majority vote to allow it to proceed. [“After Retreat, G.O.P. Changes House Ethics Rule,” The New York Times, 1/5/05]

*Facing intense public scrutiny and pressure from Congressional Democrats Republicans reversed their own rules changes designed to protect DeLay: House Republicans did an about face by reversing their changes in the aforementioned ethics rules in April of 2005, after facing an intense pressure from House Democrats led by Leader Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV), the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee, and Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), the ranking members of the House Rules Committee.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS CHANGED INTERNAL PARTY RULES TO PROTECT TOM DELAY:

*Changed an 11-year-old conference rule that required party leaders to step down from their leadership post if they were indicted by a state grand jury: On Nov. 17, 2004, the House Republican Conference voted to change an 11-year-old party rule that required party leaders to step down from their leadership post if they were indicted by a grand jury. Their action came shortly after Texas district attorney Ronnie Earle indicted three of DeLay’s associates on charges of violating state campaign laws, The conference reversed itself on Jan. 3 and reinstated the rule. [Richard Simon, “GOP Backs Off on Ethics Changes”, Los Angeles Times, 1/4/2005]

HOUSE REPUBLICANS PURGED THE ETHICS COMMITTEE TO PROTECT DELAY:

*Removed Chairman of the House Ethics Committee who oversaw three admonishments of Tom DeLay: Speaker Dennis Hastert removed Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO) as chairman of the Ethics Committee that oversaw three admonishments of DeLay in 2004. Prior to his removal, Hefley said of Republican colleagues he would not name: “They said I was hurting my career here. The implication is that some form of retribution would be taken.” Hefley also told a newspaper after the third DeLay admonishment: “I�ve been attacked; I�ve been threatened.” [“Ethics Panel�s Chair Is the Toughest Seat in the House,” The Washington Post, 1/7/05; “Hefley:’I was threatened’,” The Hill, 10/13/04]

*Replaced two members of the Ethics Committee who both admonished DeLay and voted against the Republican Conference rule changes to protect DeLay: Replaced the two members of the Ethics Committee, Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) and Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH), who both admonished DeLay and voted against the Republican Conference rule changes to protect DeLay, with two Republican loyalists, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Tom Cole (R-OK), who both contributed to DeLay�s legal defense fund. “Ethics Purge,” The Washington Post, February 5, 2005]

*Fired several longtime committee staffers: Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), who replaced Hefley as Ethics Committee chairman, fired several longtime non-partisan committee staffers, including John Vargo, the staff director and chief counsel, and Paul Lewis, a counsel. Both Vargo and Lewis had been working on the committee since before Hefley was its chairman. [“Critics Slam Hastings’ Dismissal of Ethics Staff,” Roll Call, February 17, 2005]

REPUBLICANS HAVE STALLED ANY INVESTIGATIONS OF DELAY AND OTHER SCANDALS ENGULFING DOZENS OF HOUSE REPUBLICAN LAWMAERS:

*GOP Ethics Committee Chairman Doc Hastings Stalling on DeLay Probe: In April, House Ethics Committee Chairman Doc Hastings had pledged to launch an immediate probe of Tom DeLay if Democrats agreed to cooperate with him and allow him to organize the Standards of Official Conduct Committee, as it is officially known. Rep. Hastings has now changed his tune, delaying any possible DeLay probe by saying, “We�re going to start all over.” [Alexander Bolton, “DeLay probe put into limbo,” The Hill, 12/14/05]

*GOP Leadership Scheduling longer Recess to Buy DeLay Valuable Time: The GOP leadership scheduled the second House session of the 109th Congress to begin on Jan. 31, 2006 � that is, after a holiday break of more than a month, and two weeks after Senators are due to return to Washington. The late start will give indicted former Majority Leader Tom Delay valuable time during which his money laundering case in Texas can be resolved. As new leadership elections will not occur until the House is back in session, Republicans had hoped their maneuver would allow Mr. DeLay to reclaim his former position. [Ben Pershing, “House Plants to Sit Out January, Roll Call, 12/7/05, Rick Klein, “House Republicans quietly pushing for new leadership,” the Boston Globe, 12/7/05]

HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE REPEATEDLY PROPOSED REFORMS IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE BROKEN HOUSE ETHICS CRISIS

House Democrats fought back the Republican attempts to change House ethics rules to protect Tom DeLay:

*Mollohan resolution: Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV), the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee, introduced a resolution (H Res. 131) March 1, 2005 that would undo the Republican changes to the House ethics rules made at the beginning of the 109th Congress to protect Tom DeLay.

*Pelosi’s “privileged” resolution recommending creation of a bipartisan task force: Pelosi introduced a “privileged” resolution March 15, 2005, that would have established a bipartisan task force to recommend changes to House ethics rules. Her resolution failed along party lines with one Republican exception. (To read the resolution and House debate on it, click here. For a breakdown of how House members voted, click here. [Hefley joins Dems on ethics,” The Hill, 3/16/2005]

*Slaughter’s demand to Rules Committee Chair David Dreir to hold hearings on House ethics process: On March 17, 2005, Congresswoman Slaughter (D-NY), ranking member of the House Rules Committee, asked committee chair Dreier (R-CA) in writing to hold hearings on the House ethics process and allow the Mollohan resolution to move forward.

Slaughter’s Recommendations to restore the deliberative process in the “People’s House”: In March of 2005, Rep. Slaughter as the ranking member of the House Rules Committee proposed the following set of recommendations to the Republican House leadership and the Republican Members of the House Rules Committee, as first step in restoring the deliberative process in the “People’s House,” calling for an open and transparent House of Representatives, allowing “the full and free airing of conflicting opinions through hearings, debates, and amendments for the purpose of developing and improving legislation deserving of the respect and support of the people.”:

*Open up the process by allowing more serious amendments. Republican leaders should not be afraid of lively debate and close votes on amendments; instead, they should welcome them as a sign that the democratic process is working in the House.

*Allow more bills to be considered under open rules

*More consideration of major, controversial legislation and fewer suspension bills

*Fewer late-night or early-morning “emergencies” and more regular order

*Give members three days to read conference reports

[“Broken Promises: The Death of Deliberative Democracy: A Congressional Report on the Unprecedented Erosion of the Democratic Process in the 108th Congress,” Compiled by the House Rules Committee Minority Office, The Honorable Louise M. Slaughter, Ranking Member]

Meehan/Emanuel lobbying reform legislation: Congressmen Meehan (D-MA) and Emanuel (D-IL) introduced lobbying reform legislation on May 17, 2005. The Special Interest Lobbying and Ethics Accountability Act would:

*Increase lobbying disclosure requirements and make disclosed information more accessible.

*Slow the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K-Street for members of Congress and staff.

*Crack down on privately funded travel for members of Congress and staff.

*Strengthen oversight and enforcement of lobbying rules.

House Democrats rules reform package:Congressmen Obey (D-WI), Frank (D-MA), Price (D-NC), and Allen (D-ME) announced a reform package in early December of 2005 that would, among other things:

*Put a stop to lobbyists funding or arranging Congressional travel.

*Curb lobbying on the House floor by former members of Congress.

*Prohibit members from using earmarks to buy votes.

*Crack down on the practice of holding votes open to allow for more time through intimidation to twist arms and change votes.

*Give members of Congress a chance to fully read legislation before voting on it.

In my opinion, the Republican party hard right has, for all practical purposes, effected a coup-de-gras starting with the 2000 election. If the Democratic party cannot pull together with moderate Republicans to moderate these people, we are a doomed society. Unlawful surveillance, and taking us to war under false pretext is an impeachable offence. You need to get busy looking out for the best interests of this country.
— Wayne Hale Jan 17, 11:02 PM #
You guys ALL have to agree to STOP corporate lobbying….These are not people petitioning the state!
Who are you trying to kid?
These lobbyists need to be LOCKED OUT and any lobbyist offering “gifts”(sic), or governing official caught accepting “gifts” should receive serious time in a real penitentiary!!!!!

FORGET THE corporate LOBBYING…ALL OF IT!
— Eric Knudsen Jan 17, 11:06 PM #
Yes, the Republicans have taken power through a coup d’etat and have kept power through lies, bribery, connivance, deceit, secrecy, intimidation… and probably more election fraud than can ever be ferreted out. The problem in overcoming this is the apparent failure of the mass media to function as The Fourth Estate, which has encouraged the Republican officials (especially those elected to Congress) to continue their malfeasance with impunity. What with gerrymandering and election fraud, it will be difficult to throw the rascals out. But the American citizen is now fed up. The first step is for Democrats in the two Houses to force meaningful reform.
— Teddy Goodson Jan 17, 11:24 PM #
Louise,
Keep up the good fight but can we get serious just once. Bush, Cheney and the rest of the Rethuglicans need to be put out of business and the only way that is going to happen is for them to be hauled before a magistrate, in a lower level court, where they will have to answer for their malfeasance, illegal wiretaps, ginned up intel that took this country to war etc.
— John Pilon Jan 17, 11:49 PM #
Without the equal time on all media provision that was scuttled under a Republican Reagan, no amount of fixing will do anything more than apply a bandaid over a festering wound.

Without transparent, paper trail electronic voting machines, no election in the future will be considered fair in this country.

Without a chance at voting for third parties, without unfair rules that prohibit them, real democracy is dead in this country.

Ethics are the least of our worries.
— Eric Straatsma BA MS ND Jan 17, 11:51 PM #
So much is being made of Senator Clinton’s “plantation” remark when Newt went further using the exact descriptor in reference to the Democrats in ‘94, but that is being ignored, for the most part.

The “one-way-ness” of this administration and the Republican House and Senate is positively ASTOUNDING!!! Have they NO SHAME?!!! Don’t be intimidated even though we don’t have the MSM being impartial, the American Public is intuitive and have come to the understanding that the Party currently in power is not playing straight.
— marline hunt Jan 17, 11:57 PM #
I agree that there needs to be reform on the way that DC does business. But, please do NOT get distracted by the BIG threat that is hanging over us right now, the Supreme Court Nominations of Alito. He is the biggest threat to this country in decades. We need Democrate leaders willing to put their careers on the line to stop this man. If you love this country as much as you say you do, if you are willing to fight as hard as you say you are, if you are truely a servant of the public you will support a fillabuster of this man. Let them force impose the nuclear option. It is UNCONSTITIONAL!!! As long as Alito is out of the court there is a chance that this will be proven! IF he is given the seat then unchecked government will be the rule of the day. For all of us, please show the courage that the democrats have so long been lacking. It is time to fight for what we believe in. Or, like Belgium we will be ran over by this Facist Bush Machine.
— Daniel Russo Jan 18, 12:21 AM #
Dear Honorable Louise Slaughter,

Thank you for your continued courage in the face of dark forces that have taken over aspects of our governement.
I implore you and all those who truly love America to stand up against allowing Alito onto the Supreme Court. I fear all will be lost for some time and it may get worse before Democracy can be regained in America.

I do believe that the past two elections were not squarely won by Bush and that something terrible has been going on in the halls of power in America that is not a pretty picture.

Top priorities :
1- Stop Alito ! FIllibuster if necessary.

2- Secure the Vote for the people! Kick diabold out and bring in a system that IS SECURE. De-privatize voting.

The American people are peaceful people and there is a big disconnect between the people and those in power who profit from war and weapons. We create great suffering by bombing mother earth, killing all life, polluting our Mother’s waterways and soils with irradiated uranium,biological and germ weaponary.
IF OUR VOTES WERE SECURE MANY OF THESE CROOKS WOULD BE OUT COME NEXT ELECTION AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIER MISDEEDS AND WAR CRIMES.

3-CALL FOR IMPEACHMENT OF Mr. Bush and Cheney for acting outside of the laws of the United States Constitution and spying on American citizens illegally.

4- MAKE ILLEGAL THE DEATH PENALTY. The state of Calif. just executed another man last night after executing Tookie Williams just weeks earlier.
Poor men & women are killed by the state while the rich and powerful like Henry Kissenger or President Bush are allowed to “legally” kill multitudes of innocent children, men and women civilians; tearing apart their infrastructures, poisoning their land and waterways with bombs, irradiated uranium; taking away their basic needs for survival…medicines, clean water and food. Creating unnecessary human suffering and hell on Earth. For what? Oil?
IF we put our energies and resources towards developing alternative energies and towards the elimination of hunger and poverty on our planet then I would say we have a chance to end terrorism.
We will never end terrorism through torture, bombing,
demonizing Muslim people, or any race of people.
We are all God’s children and One Humanity.
When we begin to act from this place we will come to know peace, love, freedom, justice and harmony among all of humanity.
— BonnieCarpenter Jan 18, 03:38 AM #
The majority is terrified of the Bushit War Crimes Family. The majority supports impeachment.

Stop Alito. Stop Alito. Stop Alito.

Then bring everything to a halt in order to focus on impeachment, impeachment, impeachment.

And talk to the media, constantly if necessary, about impeachment, impeachment, impeachment, until there is nothing else for the media to report.

Support Gore, and pick up on what he is saying, as that is driving a stake into the heart of the anti-Constitutional beast named Bushit.
— JNagarya Jan 18, 03:43 AM #
We hear a lot of “Clinton did it” but we know the Republicans are devout liars. Clinton did the survellance correctly. He got the terrorists who tried to take down the trade center in 1993. By the way, Clinton had been in office only 37 days when this bombing took place. I think all Democrats should not go on any Fox network programs.
Yesterday it was reported, now for sure, that Ohio and Flordia were miscounted in 2004. We need to just walk into the White House with an eviction notice and kick all this bunch out. They weren’t elected twice. How could this happen in America? Question is who shall we put in, Gore,Kerry or both.
Gingrich is on TV all the time now. Didn’t he have more than one affair in office? Joe Scarboro,wasn’t his girlfriend found dead in his office? Lets do our share of smearing, ours will all be true. We need a full time war room to debunk everything this illegal occupier of the White House says
Go, Go. Lets get this bunch out!!.
Madelyn
— Madelyn Selover Evans Jan 18, 07:17 AM #
I think we all know that purchased legislation has been going on for decades and to think that only Republicans are guilty of it seems rather foolish to me. If you’re really serious about true change then the only way to restore Americans trust in our politicians is to remove corporate money from politics completely and institute publicly financed elections. We the people cannot trust an elected officials motivation when they are backed by huge corporate campaign contributions. You and I both know that this is the right thing to do and if done properly it will bring honesty and true debate back into the process. Please just DO THE RIGHT THING this time and restore my faith.
Thank you,
Jim
— Jim Jan 18, 07:52 AM #
It is possible that most of America cannot understand the phrase “Slight of Hand”.
Do we believe it’s magic? Let me offer a different analogy, an Example you might understand’—While you’re a watchen the hen house they’r aha emptying your barn!
I am both amazed and outraged that America is, standing by, and watching, as our treasury and our labor pool are devalued and drained.
There IS blatant profiteering and open corruption in both the executive and the legislative branches of government. The judicial is being set up to allow ANYTHING the white house desires. Fight this take over.
Do none of the republicans have a conscience? Has the United States Government been over thrown or is that the next step?
Vice President Gore did a good job of laying it on the line one day this past week, but one day is not enough. We need to put the pressure on and to point the fingers: MAKE NEWS EVERY DAY from now until November 8th of 2006, and start 2007 with impeachment and prosecution across the board. Crimes have been committed and in some cases even treason in time of war.
Profiteering and larceny deceit and fraud corruption and malfeasances are the controlling factors for our government or at least that is how it looks to most of the world and it has become my opinion.
Give them hell and send them there as soon as possible. We need leaders that will put it on the line calm our fears and stop this lawlessness. For the love of God fight these crooks and there minions.
— John Turner Jr. Jan 18, 08:48 AM #
I am so glad individuals like Lousise are still in Congress. There has to be a national uprising about the way our country is drifting. Several political commentators say we are now in the early stages of a dictatorship. The television news is pablum and does not inform the public as to what is really going on. Bills are being passed without legislators having time to read them. The committee to reconcile House and Senate bills is inserting provisions that neither the House nor the Senate voted for. Individual Congressmen are inserting earmarks unapproved by either House. How can they call this constitutional legislation! How can we stop this drift into dictationship by the ignorant who don’t listen to any expert opinions on anything.
— Donna Mummery Jan 18, 09:21 AM #
I just don’t understand why when the Democrats really speak out and up about this administration, the media starts spouting that they are “attacking” when the attack game is really a Republican specialty and I don’t understand why they can’t see what is actually happening here. They must be intimidated by something or someone. Possibly even blackmailed for what reasons I can’t fathom. PLEASE America, wake UP!!!!!!
— S. Harris Jan 18, 09:25 AM #
The Federal election code needs to “catch up” with Maine and Arizona – states which have PUBLIC FINANCING of elections! Go for it Louise.
— Francis Hagan Jan 18, 10:15 AM #
It is so blatant it is unbelievable. How is it possible that these unworthy people could disgrace the United States so much that it is now so tarnished with corruption, lies, deceit, that it is no longer the USA that we once knew.

The Democrats are speaking out now but Bush, Cheney et al, should to impeached.
— Margot Johnston Jan 18, 12:08 PM #
A COMMENTATOR ON HILLARY CLINTON’S SPEECH REGARDING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEING A “PLANTATION” CONCLUDED THAT SHE IS “DIVIDING THE COUNTRY” AND SHE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT UNITING THE COUNTRY. DOES HE MEAN THAT SHE SHOULD GET IN LINE AND FOLLOW THE BUSH MANTRA? IT APPEARS THAT SHE IS UNITING THE COUNTRY TO RID THE COUNTRY OF THE PLAGUE WE ARE EXPERIENCING TODAY.
— LARRY C. Jan 18, 12:52 PM #
A simple CODE OF ETHICS which would:
a. automatically remove from office any politician who recieved anything of ANY value for him/herself other than earned income and gifts from immediate family;
b. automatically disolve any corporation which made any direct or indirect contribution to any candidate or campaign; and
c. permanently disinfranchise and prohibit employment by any government or government contract of any person who participated in or conspired to participate in the above would be simple and effective.
The Republican proposal is, as always, sheer Republican hypocrisy.
— Grant Hubbard Jan 18, 02:34 PM #
I’am so tried and sick to my stomach, if i see lindsay graham and here one more disgusting thing from trent lott I’am going to puck!! Their not listening to us at all. So it’s time for the democrates to stand up. NO NO NO Alito!!!! I’am LOVEN IT when i here Vice President Gore finally stand up to them!! These Republican are the most dishonest in history. They are liar’s!!
— michael mcatee Jan 18, 05:41 PM #
Well done. But learn that we are militarily occupied.This is what we are up against: state-controlled media.

Al Gore is right-without free communications and especially the internet we are choked on propaganda.

The so-called ‘mainstream media’ was taken over in the 1950s by the CIA to run the country with psychological warfare.

In 1951 Truman signed into being the
Psychological Strategy Board to perform this function.
Look it up. The papers are split between the Truman and Eisenhower libraries and have been in CIA custody.

The 1975 Church Senate subcommittee hearings on CIA abuses revealed that the CIA was in our newpapers, newswires, TV, everywhere that mattered to control public opinion.

NYTimes and WashPost are the flagship papers. Bob Woodward is naval intelligence sent by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the WashPost to take down Nixon.
Look it up.

The CIA has infiltrated the media, publishing, academia, government, judiciary, law enforcement, military, you name it.

Expose this and roll them back us as Senator Frank Church tried but failed to do thirty years ago.
— Hugh Manatee Jan 18, 06:08 PM #
Tell the Democrats to defeat Alito or go home. Why are my tax dollars paying for failure?
— Calvin Edwards Jan 18, 08:10 PM #
Dear Rep. Slaughter;
Great to hear your remarks today on trying to start to end the corruption of the democratic poceess taking place in Washington. With your leadership in speaking out in a strong constructive way, proposing strong specific fixes to this blatant big money hold on Congress, maybe the Democatic Party will rise again. Please explain clearly to the American people what will happen when that day comes, or it will never come.
Thank you, James S. Baxter
— James S. Baxter Jan 18, 09:26 PM #
The media is making me f——- mad! Do THEY want to live in the kind of country they are helping to exist? Do ALL Republicans really want that too? Something is really strange here!!!

As for Hillary Clinton, she said it all! And so did Al Gore. I also heard John Kerry, who I respect a lot, agree with both of them when he was given the opportunity even though he was out of the country. BUT the question is, was mainstream America listening to them or to the media calling it all a Democratic attack!!?
— S. Harris Jan 19, 07:40 AM #
If lobbying must exist, why not insist that it be done in public, in groups with both sides, Democratic & Republican present, and record the goings on? I think this would help dishonest governing!
— donald barthel Jan 19, 09:39 AM #
Rep. Slaughter is one of precious few government officials who are saying what’s on my mind. But all of us must be active, or we have innocent blood on our hands.

I’m scared. I went through Vietnam and Watergate and Koreagate and Iran/Contra all without losing faith in the ability of America to overcome the evil within and rise again to support its founding principles of freedom and justice. But now, things are way beyond those scandals. We may not be able to get our country back.

Bush has shown he will break any law with impugnity, and there are no consequences. No one has yet explained to me why he would not cancel, suspend or outright steal the 2006 and 2008 elections. He has all power, controls all branches of government, and he will not give it up. WE HAVE A DICTATOR.

It’s time for mass action. Our only hope is to get masses of people into the streets calling for Bush’s ouster. Start Jan. 31. by protesting the State of the Union speech.
— Ben Hogue Jan 19, 09:47 AM #
Louise:

I watched you on C-Span’s Washington Journal this morning. As I have said to you personnaly, You have a great ability to speak in a layman’s vocabulary with out talking down to the average American. You really do appeal to the great human heart in us all.

My only regret is that I can’t vote for you as I don’t live in your district. Never-the-less, you have my support for your re-election to Congress.

As part of the Democrat’s reform Legislation, I would like to see the Gerrymandering of election districts eliminated. The election district needs to be reorganized based upon the Federal censis data in order to protect the one person one vote principal and it needs to be done by an independent commission with over sight by the courts. I know that this concept is supported by the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Business and Professional Women of New York State.
— Janice L. Moritz Jan 19, 11:20 AM #
Campaigns have become so expensive that our elected officials must spend time raising money rather than serving the state and its people. We should threaten radio and television stations with the loss of their franchise unless they offer equal time for candidates. Campaign expenditures should be limited as should the length of the campaign. The daily calendar of each elected official should be published nationally.
— Bill Sturbaum Jan 19, 08:53 PM #
Dear Honorable Louise et al.,

It is not enough to monitor quid pro quos between our legislators and lobbyists—in itself a very difficult task. Rather, I would like to ask:

1) Why not monitor how our representatives spend their time?
There could be a kind of visitors’ bureau that would be in charge of asking the visitor’s reason for petitioning the representative (public good? private concern?) and how often his/her organization has sent someone in the recent past; the goal would be equal or balanced exposure to a variety of petitioners.

(The idea that corporate lobbyists “educate” our representatives is a mere pretext for “hooking” them. It is up to the elected official to determine what information he/she needs for the purpose of serving his/her constituency.)

2) I would also ask why TV networks should not be required to donate air time to
all candidates, thus taking away the need for large campaign
contributions?

3) Why shouldn’t conflicts of interest be better monitored and
forbidden in all branches of government?

5) To help counteract public ignorance and apathy about government,
why shouldn’t C-Span 1 & 2 be made available free to everyone who owns
a TV?

6) Why can’t we enact these simple solutions to combat corruption in
government?
— Laura Klinkon Jan 27, 11:34 PM #
Congresswoman Slaughter,
I think that interactive blogs of elected officials is an excellent manner to promote democracy and discourage the sale and purchase of elections and legislation. Wealth is less of an advantage to the extent that voters and elected officials have effective access to each other.

Lobbyists purchase access to the ears of elected officials by contributing to political funding, to purchase time and consideration by broadcasters (operating with government franchises), in order to reach voters and obtain or retain public office that lobbyists can manipulate.

Political contributions purchase consideration. Greater consideration is granted to greater contributions.

The ability of voters to effectively participate in the political forum is democracy’s best and possibly only hope. I hope more elected officials establish interactive blogs.

Respectfully, Bernard Belitsky
— Bernard Belitsky Jan 28, 06:50 PM #
Why isn’t “K Street Project” on the lips of every American? Why doesn’t every Democrat who gets the chance to be on a talk show or be interviewed discuss this? Why are only those of us who choose to or are able to listen to Air America informed?

Where is the coverage of Bush’s flip flop on Osama Bin Ladin? Last week he told the American people to take Bin Ladin seriously (to keep people afraid and voting for Republicans); years ago, he said that he just doesn’t spend a lot of time worrying about Bin Ladin!

Forget about joining with Moderate Republicans; instead join me in calling for any decent people to leave the Republican Party! I feel that at least since Reagan was president and the Republicans were allowed to get away with the Iran Contra Affair by the Democratic leaders (Reagan should have been impeached and tried for treason in my book!)that the Republican Party and all its members have been hopelessly corrupt. If a Republican ever wanted my respect, let alone my vote, they would have to renounce Reagan and his attitudes, tactics, and underhanded deals. It is no secret that many Iran Contra participants are members of this Bush government and that the Republicans have spawned many other “secret” projects (think Newt Gingrich, Grover Norquist, Paul Wolfowitz, Jack Abramoff)
that are designed to circumvent Democracy.
The basic difference between today’s Republicans and today’s Democrats in my mind is that the Republicans are all about benefiting at the expense of others (justifying their wealth because they are “more deserving”), being “no. one” in a crowded field, and being rich in a world where people die of starvation and disease. Democrats, in my estimation, are the ones who work to make everyone’s life better, who give a voice to the powerless (ie animals other than humans). For example, John Edwards’ anti-poverty work is inspirational whereas Jack Abramoff and Tom Delay have worked to keep people is virtually slavery in American territories.
Thank you for what you are doing. I hope that with representatives like you and John Conyers that we can actually take back our country!
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— sally Sep 21, 02:11 PM #
Congresswoman,

I implore you to join forces with other Republicans to block any legislation that intends to harm the United States in such a way. The immigration bill being proposed is a joke. I assure you I will do my best (along with Clear Channel reps) to ensure NO ONE is re-elected who votes for this bill.

Again- please join arms to block this joke of a bill.

Thank you,

Darrell Williamson
Texas Common Sense Resident

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