Well seeing how I was born in NYC and don't constantly put down the US system every chance I get, I don't think it matters. Pakistan is a toilet in its own right, where corruption is in every single aspect of the society. There are going to be corrupt officials anywhere in the world, but at least this guy is going to be prosecuted, whereas in China, its just common practice. I've seen the deplorable business tactics and lack of respect for honor by Chinese National companies. I've then seen their contempt for US law and their use of favors and political connections to attempt to get out of paying up because they built a chemical plant that only produced 25% of what their contract stated. I think China is going in the right direction, but your utter contempt and disregard for the US while having a sheer inability to see the significant flaws of China just makes you look silly.
Wrong and wrong. I support candidates/politicians who stand for the values that are mostly incompatible to those of yours. As of now, my views on US foreign policies -- especially the Iraq War -- are in line with at least two-thirds of the people in this country. My opinions on the current administration and the Republican Congress are also shared by the marjority of the American people. I never deny there are serious problems in China. That I didn't post negative stuff about China in this forum doesn't mean I would ignore or defend China should these issues come up.
This story is about as revealing as one that says some pro athletes uses steroids. The differences are very small between the political parties in Washington. The only thing that changes is who is playing the role this week of good cop/bad cop.
Nail him, Democrat or no. I don't think the generic "everyone is corrupt" is helpful. It is a cop out and leads to passivity. If one party is more corrupt than than other it is worth knowing Same thing with all corportions are corrupt; not helpful. Whether guys take money does not mean that the type of lying, deceit, wiretapping and grabbing of un American, unconsitutional power by the Bush gang is not another and independent wrong that needs to be corrected by a change in policitical parties and the power to actually investigate.
Umm, well in that case I'll see your DP and raise...ehh, wait, no way, I won't. I fold. You win that hand.
I don't look at this as letting the Republican party off the hook regarding corruption but it should be pointed out that there are also corrupt Democrats. Its another debate regarding if one party or the other is systematically corrupt.
Webster's Dictionary- Politician:1 : a person experienced in the art or science of government; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government 2 a : a person engaged in party politics as a profession b : a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons There you have it experienced con-artists doing government business, making money with party politics and using short-sighted reasoning to acheive selfish gain. That sums it up for both political parties. The republican and democratic parties are two wings on the same bird.
Corrupt government officials. Hmmm................... The sky is blue, right? The grass is green, isn't it?
I should add- I don't personally believe every politician is a bad person. It is the political process that has become rotten. It is a shame many good people go to Congress or Washington in hopes of seeing principles and ideals realized within a system that is corrupt. My Congressman is a statesman who is honest and absoutely faithful to his oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. He is not corrupt and he will not compromise to a corrupt system. He is the only politician I trust.
Oh, so you just are mouthing the obvious and banal that their are corrupt Dems as well as corrupt Repubs?
No I thought this was an interesting article and worth posting on the D & wD and that we should hold all our elected representatives accountable no matter what party. What are you trying to say? That we should only look into when Republicans are found to be corrupt since saying there is corruption in both parties is banal and unhelpful.
Good for her. Now we needed a full throated Democratic call for him to resign from the House completely. Pelosi asks congressman snared in bribery probe to resign post 05/24/2006 @ 12:40 pm Filed by RAW STORY House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has formally asked Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) to resign from the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Jefferson wrote Pelosi quickly in reply, refusing to surrender his seat. Both letters, acquired by RAW STORY, follow. "None of the matters reported to be under scrutiny involve issues under jurisdiction of the Ways and Means committee," the Lousiana Democrat wrote. "Therefore, such a request would be even more perplexing and unreasonable. If I agreed, it would unfairly punish the people of the 2nd district and I will not stand for that." Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to questions asking whether she will call on Jefferson to resign from Congress. One Washington watchdog group has already asked Jefferson to quit. http://www.rawstory.com/admin/dbscripts/printstory.php?story=2198
This story gets more interesting because prominent House Republicans are are upset about the raid on Rep. Jefferson's office. http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/24/raid.on.congress.ap/index.html Angry lawmakers demand FBI return seized documents Search of congressman's office unconstitutional, they say Wednesday, May 24, 2006; Posted: 2:17 p.m. EDT (18:17 GMT) WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert demanded Wednesday that the FBI surrender documents and other items agents seized on Capitol Hill in what lawmakers said was an unconstitutional raid. "I think those materials ought to be returned," said Hastert, adding that the FBI agents involved "ought to be frozen out of that (case) for the sake of the Constitution." The Saturday night search of Rep. William Jefferson's office on Capitol Hill brought Democrats and Republicans together in rare election-year accord, with both parties protesting agency conduct they said violated the Constitution's separation of powers doctrine. (Watch how the FBI constructed its case against the congressman -- 1:28) "Not anyone here is above the law," Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said Tuesday. But, she added, "I think you've seen abuse of power of the executive branch over this weekend." A day earlier, Hastert, R-Illinois, complained personally to President Bush about the raid. Other House officials have predicted that the case would bring all three branches together at the Supreme Court for a constitutional showdown. (Watch why the raid raises constitutional issues -- 2:57) But while most leaders of both parties stand together in opposition to an executive branch raid of a legislative branch office, party leaders are acting on different political agendas. Democrats, hoping to exploit Republican scandals on Capitol Hill and regain control of Congress, are asking Jefferson, of Louisiana, to resign his seat on the House's most prestigious panel, the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. Pelosi sent a letter Wednesday to Jefferson asking him to step down from the committee. "In the interest of upholding the high ethical standard of the House Democratic Caucus, I am writing to request your immediate resignation from the Ways and Means Committee," the letter said. For his part, Jefferson, who has denied wrongdoing, remains defiant. "I will not give up a committee assignment that is so vital to New Orleans at this crucial time for any uncertain, long-term political strategy," Jefferson said Tuesday. "If asked, I would respectfully decline." His spokeswoman, Melanie Roussell, added that Jefferson will not resign from Congress. Lawmakers predict a long dispute over the FBI's search of Jefferson's office last weekend. Historians say it was the first raid of a representative's quarters in Congress' 219 years. FBI agents searched Jefferson's office in pursuit of evidence in a bribery investigation. The search warrant, signed by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Hogan, was based on an affidavit that said agents found $90,000 in cash wrapped and stashed in the freezer of Jefferson's home. Jefferson has not been indicted and has denied wrongdoing. "My opinion is that they took the wrong path," Hastert said of the FBI, after meeting with Bush in the White House. "They need to back up, and we need to go from there." White House officials said they did not learn of the search until after it happened. They pledged to work with the Justice Department to soothe lawmakers. "We are hoping that there's a way to balance the constitutional concerns of the House of Representatives with the law enforcement obligations of the executive branch," White House press secretary Tony Snow said. "Obviously we are taking note of Speaker Hastert's statements." Attorney General Alberto Gonzales tried to strike a conciliatory tone, saying, "We have a great deal of respect for the Congress as a coequal branch of government." But he also defended the search: "We have an obligation to the American people to pursue the evidence where it exists." Justice Department officials said the decision to search Jefferson's office was made in part because he refused to comply with a subpoena for documents last summer. Jefferson reported the subpoena to the House on September 15, 2005.
sishir, it is indeed interesting that the gutless wimps in the Congress will actually act to limit the unconstitutional grab of power by the executive.
Well, here's where they can cross party lines and cooperate - when their power to operate in secret and without oversight is being threatened.
I'll see your congressman and raise you a Speaker of the house! There's a reason Hastert doesn't like this... Officials: Hastert "In the Mix" of Congressional Bribery Investigation May 24, 2006 Brian Ross Reports: The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, is under investigation by the FBI, which is seeking to determine his role in an ongoing public corruption probe into members of Congress, ABC News has learned from high level government sources. Federal officials say the information implicating Hastert was developed from convicted lobbyists who are now cooperating with the government. Part of the investigation involves a letter Hastert wrote three years ago, urging the Secretary of the Interior to block a casino on an Indian reservation that would have competed with other tribes. The other tribes were represented by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff who reportedly has provided details of his dealings with Hastert as part of his plea agreement with the government. The letter was written shortly after a fund-raiser for Hastert at a restaurant owned by Abramoff. Abramoff and his clients contributed more than $26,000 at the time. The day Abramoff was indicted, Hastert denied any unlawful connection and said he would donate to charity any campaign contribution he had received from Abramoff and his clients. A spokesman for Speaker Hastert told ABC News, "We are not aware of this. The Speaker has a long history and a well-documented record of opposing Indian Reservation shopping for casino gaming purposes." This week, Hastert has been outspoken in his criticism of the FBI for its raid on the office of another congressman under investigation, Democrat William Jefferson of Louisiana. "My opinion is that they took the wrong path, Hastert said of the FBI. "They need to back up, and we need to go from there." ABC News' Rhonda Schwartz and Richard Esposito contributed to this report. http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/
