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Tom DeLay
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Tom DeLay |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
After the GOP made history by dominating the elections of 1994, Tom DeLay was elected in a landslide by his GOP faithful. And for a long time, DeLay has been frequently considered the most powerful Republican in much recent memory. Tom DeLay began to grow a strong reputation to help the GOP win when the odds seemed to run against them, with victory after victory for House Republicans under his outreach effort he has called "growing the vote". With "growing the vote", DeLay earned the utmost trust of his party and has been credited for many achievements he got the House to pass, including the Contract with America, the Balanced Budget Act, and Bush's tax cut agendas. For over twenty years now, DeLay has represented the 22nd District of Texas, where he has won time and time again. Throughout his history, DeLay has been no stranger to controversy. From a chain of controversies including the obstruction of justice charge in Saipan on sweatshop workers in taking large campaign contributions from their chief lobbyist and blocking Congressional investigation of conditions there, to the recent controversy surrounding him for accepting an all-expense paid trip to South Korea in 2001 from a foreign agent, DeLay has been an all-too-familiar face in the headlines. However, it's no suprise that his nickname happens to be "The Hammer", who has been resilient to many controversies time and time again. * * But now DeLay, for the first time, could be facing an uphill battle. Last November, DeLay won his 11th career term in the House with 55% of his district vote, his lowest share ever. Even more bad news for DeLay surfaces in a new Houston Chronicle poll released yesterday featuring 501 participants (268 Republicans, 166 Democrats, 66 Independents, 1 Libertarian). Following the intense controversy and dissent surrounding being admonished in the House Ethics Committee three times, as well as his recent role in the Schiavo debate, nearly 40% of poll respondents say they view DeLay less favorably compared to a year ago, and 49 percent saying they would vote for someone other than him if the election for the 22nd District were held today. * * What are your thoughts and opinions? Does The Hammer still have plenty of swing, or may this controversy prove to be too much for him to rise above? Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" Mother Teresa |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Politicians investigating other politicians...so rich. I admire the man. He is one of the very few who doesn't have Terri's blood on his hands. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Well, this didn't take long LOL! I heard on the news this morning that DeLay was in for it - that the Democrats were circling. The fact that the Washington Post has come out and said that, in fact, he has done nothing wrong the Democrats will attack by unsupported headlines and innuendos to try to sway public opinion against him.....you're quick, Noah  By the way, Noah, it is quite obvious that your post is a reproduction of an article. It's proper to state where the article is from when posting it. |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
It really wasn't that long ago that Democrats held majority sway in southern states. The fact that Delay has held his post for that long is testimony to the changes in southern states, where Republicans for the longest time were labeled 'Carpetbaggers', or more succintly, 'Traitors'. The more powerful and bigger one becomes, the larger the target afforded to those who take perverse delight in trying to bring everyone larger than themselves down. On a side note, Delay is from my home county, with his offices in the county seat of Brazoria County, where I was raised. All during the 80's and 90's, he was the primary voice and factor for most of the county growth in business and industry, including the huge rise in small businesses. Regrettably, most of those small businesses are gone now, due to being swallowed by larger retail chains, forced out by larger retail chains, or having to close down due to high taxes (business and property). And for the record, it has always been state Democrats who pushed for and got those higher taxes for their own agendas, never caring about the harm to small business. Though I do hold Delay accountible for his wrong doings, those trying to bring him down have their own skeletons. Let them clean out their own closets before opening his. |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Why don't we wait until wrongdoing has been established? So far, all they have is suspition. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 Nope, Balladeer, no article reproduction. I read a lot, of course, and so familiar points click. With my news experience being to happen at KBOO radio, I seem to be getting some journalist tongue now! (giggles) I've actually been tempted to start this thread months ago, because, after all, the violation of ethics controversy surrounding DeLay hasn't just come up, it's been around for months, and social justice and corporate crime are two things I take to heart very much. However, it's not just Democrats that seem to have a united opposition toward DeLay, some of his own party faithful are dissenting on his part. THAT'S primarily why I finally believed it was appropriate to start this topic now, but not before as it would obviously make it seem like some character assassination conspiracy to everyone or something, and I suppose some would still perceive it as that now, but that really isn't my intent here. I think that's the point why now this DeLay thing is escalating to unprecedented levels. That, like Alicat says, he has wrong-doings and his own closet to clean, but he's went on undisciplined and such so as to allow this ongoing behavior in the House. And currently, many may finally have had enough with this pattern. But the worst part is that these charges or suspicions haven't even been looked over. * Not A Poet, I very much understand what you mean here, though I do think much of the points brought up are authentic nevertheless. What I'm basically trying to do here is lay everything out on the table here and so we can juxtapose it all out because this is bound to be quite an investigation and I believe there's a lot of clutter here. I believe I launched this thread with a moderate tone. that is, not toned to cast DeLay as guilty before proven guilty. I think it's natural we have suspicions of one another that lead us to believe when reinforced in particular they sound to be true, like with the Kofi Annan threads, for instance. I respect and understand some who went after Annan had those suspicions before he was cleared recently and found no evidence he was part of the oil-for-food charges, and even understand if they still are not fully convinced. I believe my suspicions of DeLay are righteous here, and believe it would do us good just to see everything organized here so we know where to go from here rather than just resume and assume. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
I think perhaps the best place in start in looking in light of these patterns of controversy is understanding his relationship with Jack Abramoff. Lou Dubose, author of "The Hammer: Tom DeLay: God, Money, and the Rise of the Republican Congress.", really delves into those close relations, and how Abramoff's name appears under the same thread as Tom DeLay in many of the controversial moments DeLay has fallen under, which Dubose includes the trip to Moscow in 1997 and a golfing trip DeLay took to England where Abramoff came along with him on. Then he mentions of the single most controversial moment for DeLay to date, where Abramoff and public relations consultant Mike Scanlon were centerfold in the alleged bilking of tens of millions of dollars in lobbying and public relations fees from the Tigua Indian Reservation in El Paso, Texas, an area which was struck by high crime and poverty for decades but a new casino built there helped the tribe economically, in which DeLay's political action committee is linked to. I believe personally that is what should be scrutinized in particular here. Seeing the relations between DeLay's political action committee and DeLay and his closest associates like Abramoff, and find possible ethics violations on that level. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Noah, i have to wonder about your interest and determination in DeLay. I can assure you - and can prove - that there have been many other congressmen who have committed actions similar, and even more drastic, than DeLays along the same lines and yet I've never seen you bring them up or even question them. Is it because they were Democrats or is DeLay just the "republican of the day" to bash? I think these "drives for the truth" would carry a little more validity if some of the political bias was not so apparent. Hey, Noah, if you actually wrote that first part of your message (and I believe you that you did) you should definitely go into journalism!!! That was very smooth and professional |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
ONe name Kennedy. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
Absolutely, Balladeer. I have not abruptly forgotten that even as I have been focusing on DeLay here, both corporate parties have characters with attitudes like his. You know, I have a thread on Defenders of Peace where I always talk about these monkeys on politicians backs from both parties. I touch on Tom DeLay and Bush as you probably have figured, but I also touch on Democrats like Joe Lieberman, Ken Salazar, and Harry Reid a lot as well. So-called "Democrats" like that are very well the reason I am not a self-declared Democrat, but an independent. I believe the example of Tom DeLay here is crucial because, after all, he is the House Majority Leader. So much of the world and policy revolves around him, he is one of the most influential characters in all the government. And it is troubling to me when, of course any politician, but especially one of highest stature, seems to have exhibited ongoing and consistent patterns of unethical behavior that seem to have only brought out the worst in us all. I take this issue seriously because, especially when those among his own party are even speaking out against him in his home community of Sugarland, Texas, that strikes me as that this sort of behavior has gone on long enough and is the final straw, and he must be disciplined somehow, or resign if he's not going to do so. It's important because this is all about example. It's kind of like how seriously the GOP thought of Clinton lying under oath about his affair as bad example and a bad influence on the youth of America, in encouraging them, perhaps, they would be motivated to cut corners themselves and it is OK to cheat if the First Man does. Now, of course I am not directly comparing DeLay to Clinton here, as DeLay obviously hasn't lied under oath, etc. Nevertheless, if we just allow all this behavior to go on without even reflecting or examinating it, it's a bad influence to not just the House, but America at large. It would influence this whole "get out of jail free" behavior I believe somehow. With great power comes great responsibility...or irresponsibility. I'm concerned that many believe the latter has emerged under him, and awareness is what drove me to start this topic, not character assassination. For I believe if you're not going to take your job maturely and cut corners only to allow the repercussions to come back and haunt the House later, you may not be the right person to handle the job. Someone who is more self-reflexive, perhaps. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
"Innocent until proven guilty" has been the foundation of our legal system since the beginning. Of course it doesn't always work but I still believe in it. Any other presumption is, and deserves to be, unacceptable. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
Absolutely agree, my friend. We are all entitled to our own personal opinions of any individual before the process, but that IS the golden rule. So, can we together discuss the controversial nature behind DeLay and begin to get an understanding of what he should take responsibility for and what is just blatant exageeration on the part of partisan witchcraft? I myself am not interested in producing that sort of witchcraft, nor do I want to sit back without getting to the heart of the matter for the health of our nation. I want to find a faultline beyond that and just declutter all this somehow. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
I agree with Pete. I just wish you'd listen to yourselves once in awhile.  Here's a list of potential problems: http://slate.com/id/2116392/ |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Regarding Terry Schiavo: http://slate.com/id/2115879 quote: |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
quote: Brad, the part that I underlined is what makes the difference, and it is a big difference. His father was dying. Terri wasn't. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
So it is okay to pull the plug in certain cases? |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
First point; I don't think there is a politician, bureaucrat, or journalist in the beltway that doesn't believe the Democrats are trying to make as much political hay out of Tom Delay as they can. Second point; There is a difference between doing nothing illegal and committing ethics violations Deer. The Washington Post did not say he did nothing wrong. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28319-2005Apr5.html?nav=slate He was admonished three times last year alone by the ethics committee. The current ethics problems have certainly been committed by other Congressmen (Jim Wright, Tony Cohelo, Newt Gingrich) among which was putting family members on the payroll to siphon off campaign funds. While a common practice the problem arises with the AMOUNTS paid -- and in this case a half a million bucks to DeLay's wife and daughter -- that's DeSgusting. Third point; Where are Jim Wright, Tony Cohelo, and Newt Gingrich? Fourth point; even The Red State Journal (oops my faux-pas -- I mean the Wall Street Journal) has now turned on DeLay http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110006479 saying that he 'Smells Like the Beltway'. Fifth point; these are not failures of ideology -- they are human failings and the corrupting influence of power. They divert our attention from the issues -- but need to be handled. Fortunately when the Republican leadership tried to change the rule back in November that wouldn't allow DeLay to continue as Whip in the event he was indicted -- the rank and file Republicans protested to keep the rule in place. It is an argument for the removal of Tom Delay and the instatement of TERM LIMITS. |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
quote: Reb, that kind of comment exposes your biased agenda and brings into question your credibility. You're too good to resort to that. I know you can make a powerful argument without such. |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
No Pete, we have to recognize the bias of media -- we have blue leaning media (The New York Times, the LA Times, CNN) We have red leaning media (The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times , Fox News) and we have some media that makes a decent attempt at being objective (Washington Post (which used to have a left tilt but has come back to center), MSNBC, Slate) What's disingenuous is for the right to always complain about the dominant liberal media -- we live in a free market -- the National Review and the Wall Street Journal didn't have the reach that the New York Times had because people didn't want to read them -- they were never censored out of the public view -- we're talking about companies competing for market share here. In the founding days of the nation the newspapers were STRICTLY organs for one political view or the other -- we don't need to complain about it -- we just need to recognize each one for what it is. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Brad, that would be a personal decision. I can certainly understand not wanting to take extraordinary measures when someone is at death's door and the measures will only prolong, by hours or days, the dying. I can't see ever withholding food (unless their bodily systems are shutting down and the food can't be processed), and hydration, even if someone is dying. That only increases the patient's pain. If they are truly terminal, truly dying, they will die, even if food and water is maintained. But as we have seen with Terri, and now probably with Mae, patients who are not terminal will definitely die without food and water, just as you or I would. |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Sorry for the spelling error, that should read Tony Coelho... |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
Actually, I was watching the McLaughlin Group last night after "NOW", which I regularly watch every Friday on PBS, Local Rebel, and I believe the Wall Street Journal actually called DeLay "Odor of the Beltway", not "Smells Like The Beltway". Indeed that is very interesting and relevant that The Wall Street Journal has themselves denounced DeLay. It comes to no suprise whatsoever that the Times and the Washington Post have done likewise before, and DeLay came out to say it's just another lousy attempt for the Democrats to defame him, and then all a sudden this endorsement of dissent on his part comes from this publication. One thing is certain here. DeLay is a polarizing figure presently within the GOP, and has been seen as a symbol of why approval ratings for the House and Congress have plunged as of late. I'm going to pause here for now while I try and sort out on my own all the individual claims out there and research them. Local Rebel, you are right about the state of our media. I do agree it's pointless to just claim the whole media is a red-or-blue media out there. I happen to believe it's simply just "washed down and washed out" by corporate influences and "officialdom" as I like to call it, and the "officialdom" just tends to sway one way or the other like a fan palm in Martinique. I do believe the "officialdom" in many of our news outlets often sways strongly to the right, and I believe MSNBC, for instance, also leans that way despite a tolerant Chris Matthews and a left-leaning Keith Olbermann, especially considering how Phil Donahue was fired despite having the network's top-rated program, and with the way Tucker Carlson is coming to the network, it can come to show more. I believe our "free market" still exists here, but the bottom line is I believe we need to work to show how "free" the market can be. We ought to take the Schiavo protests to heart, which I was more than gladdened to see on the networks, and now say, "Let those protests be example to how ALL protests SHOULD and MUST be televised!" Anyway, I digressed. The point is, I agree that we've got to look beyond the black-and-white matter and outlook of how we perceive our media and just acknowledge that we have to work to return the microphone to regular American citizens, which it has always belonged to in the first place. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" Mother Teresa |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Well you have a good ear Noah -- but if you look at the article you'll see that the actual quote is; quote: It's a cute sound bite but I think that the real salient phrase is this; quote: The people do have the microphones Noah. Rush Limbaugh has a microphone -- so does Al Franken. People own those corporations -- but we need to re-examine the regulations regarding how many outlets a single company can own in a given market -- that's where there is a huge potential problem. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
Oh, OK, thanks for that, LR! In response to your point about the microphone and who has it, I'm not greatly convinced that the people at large have access to our cultural microphone. I am very lucky and very forturnate to live in a community where there actually is a community-driven radio station, KBOO. It's awesome. Over 80% of the money given to the station comes from everyday citizens just working to make a living and follow the regular American dream. KBOO gets no endorsements from Comcast or BP/Amoco or Bill Gates or any such corporate interest, it's all from the community. And the fact this current pledge drive has been taking in unprecedented numbers, especially during a time where Oregon is economically unstable, REALLY means something and tells me something as well. But let's face it. So many other markets in America don't have community radio, and could only dream to have something like that. Seattle doesn't even have a community radio station! It's true! I'll tell you something else. Today, while working for the Pledge Central phone bank at KBOO, I got a $40 basic membership contribution from someone living in Bismarck, North Dakota. We actually stream KBOO radio via http://www.kboo.fm/ and anywhere worldwide you can hear it on your laptop. And getting a pledge from someone over three state lines, THAT'S incredible. Obviously a majority of our donations come from people living in the Portland metropolitan area, but someone else claimed they got a donation from someone living in Spain who listens to KBOO on their computer. And I've got to tell you, that's amazing. And that tells me something too. That people are feeling THAT urgent about the need for the airwaves to return to the community, to the people. That's the point I was trying to get across earlier, Local Rebel. And yes, absolutely, about the serious need to evaluate the regulation rules and matters. Especially with a new FCC charirman, Kevin Martin, who's not much more savvy about regulation than Powell was, it's serious business and the matter or regulation is in dire need to be examined. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7453969/ Rick Santorum and Representative Chris Shays of Connecticut of the GOP came out today to express their take on this developing controversy. Shays claims DeLay is hurting the party's images and upcoming 2006 election potential, and believes deLay should step down from his position as House Majority Leader. Meanwhile, Santorum has said that though he believes everything that's been reported of him is true to the law, that his own district and people should be the ones to judge him. * * I suppose all this information is beginning to get examined more closely and we'll just have to wait and see where this goes from here. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
Senator Lincoln Chafee, another high-profile Republican senator facing a difficult re-election campaign next year, has expressed his concerns of DeLay. He had this to say yesterday: "We've got to uphold the highest standards of legality and ethics. You can't have your leader under a cloud. It makes it difficult to run." I think this seems to indicate another challenge for the GOP right now with the DeLay controversy. If they come out too softly on DeLay, they'll be "hammered" by the Democrats and it may hurt the party's overall potential to maintain or collect seats in 2006. This will surely be a great test for the party in particular. If DeLay's conscience gets fully cleared of the charges, it could be an icebreaker for the GOP and greatly improve the party's image. But the reversal could also happen should he be indicted. This case is at a very unpredictable place right now. Enough said for now. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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D.Lester Young Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1219Austin, Tx |
I have seen some things about Texas politics, I do not like. Like the Governor of Texas attacking a US Texas Senator who talked to US Senator Clinton, recording them for a video. Well if Senators cannot talk together, there is a problem in Houston and the rest of Texas. If DeVey imports this brand into Congress, then we are in deep trouble. I do have a problem with him being the judge. I have a problem with him attacking all the judiciary in labels, well he is a Creationalist that wants to creating everything in government in his image. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
Yes, Young, I do believe when DeLay pretty much swore revenge on judges and such after the unfortunate Schiavo loss was well below the belt, and the fact Cheney and Frist even consulted him and said they believe that was inappropriate indicates he is in an uncomfortable position right now, and appears to have lukewarm relations with more moderate Republicans. Anyway, I did do some research and found some of DeLay's historical past I did find intriguing, particularly when he was speaking in consideration of the Government Ethics Reform Act of 1989 on November 16, 1989. Here's an excerpt from that Congressional Record: "H.R. 3660, the Government Ethics Reform Act, will strengthen and clarify existing House rules. Issues such as the ban on congressional honoraria, limits on gifts and travel, increased financial disclosure, restrictions on outside income, and conflict of interest rules will all be tightened to reflect the growing and changing role of Government service... I am especially pleased to support this comprehensive overhaul of House ethics rules and conflict of interest laws because it is an important first step in enhancing the ethical standards throughout Government and adjusting compensation for individuals whose skills are essential to the quality of service Government provides to the American people. It is my hope that honor will be restored to elected offices so that we can continue to work for the values that we have fought for in the past with quality representation in the future." What's interesting, though, is a noticable change of behavior in following years after 1989. For instance, consider what he said about a "scandal-ridden" House on April 7, 1992, also from the Congressional Record: "Now, the House needs new management, and that is Republican management. In my opinion, it will not do any good to get rid of the present Speaker or the present leadership, because what will happen is more will come in and it is the arrogance of power that we are talking about here. What is going on here is arrogance of power. We need a change in management... The Democrats could offer us another candidate, but it just will not change the system. Only when the public and Republican pressure becomes so great does the Democrat leadership act. We need new leadership which will act because it is right, not because they have been caught in coverups and scandals." Finally, consider here when DeLay asked the Ethics Committee to investigate their House Post Office on March 2, 1994: "Mr. Speaker, I just am saddened by these kinds of issues. I believe very deeply in this institution, and I would hope that others do, too, and understand that, No. 1, the Justice Department is another branch of our Government, that we are empowered and mandated to clean our own house. Yet some in this body do not seem to understand that and would rather see mud thrown at this institution than to get to the bottom of problems in this institution" * I believe this may be an important chunk of information to review, and judge his consistency between 1989 and 2005. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
And in the past couple of days, there has been a flurry of activity at Congress, primarily Representatives and Senators filing amended paperwork about travel, gifts, and donations. Even some of the very people accusing DeLay of unethical behavior amending their paperwork so they don't have the very same skeletons in their closets. They are singling out DeLay for a very explicit reason, and it has nothing to do with ethics. I know they don't realize the ramifications if they crucify him: that every single Representative and Senator will be subject to the same accusations and treatment. Perhaps this will be a good thing, furthering the cleanup of Capitol Hill, like was done in the mid-80's and again in the early 90's. And all of that was backlash from persecuting a single individual. Those times, all those little perks were exposed. The spas, mountain and sea recreation, 'fact finding' expiditions, first class accommodations, usage of military transport for personal travel, all on the taxpayer dime and through special interest groups. Yeah, there was some bellyaching from our elected officials about the loss of perks, but that didn't stop them from quickly and deftly finding loopholes. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I agree, 'cat. Right now there are a whole bunch of Congressmen saying, "Oops!"  From USA Today.....today Politics - USATODAY.com USA TODAY DeLay has company in ethical gray areas Wed Apr 27, 7:01 AM ET House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is defending himself against accusations of ethics violations by insisting he didn't do anything that fellow lawmakers haven't done. The Texas Republican has a point. Like DeLay, dozens of lawmakers have paid family members to work for their campaigns. It's common to take privately financed "fact-finding" trips to resort locations, as DeLay did. And many members of Congress, particularly those in leadership roles or with presidential aspirations, pump money into state legislative races to enhance their influence. But some critics contend that DeLay, who's under scrutiny over travel, fundraising and hiring of relatives for his campaign, has gone beyond the limits of what the rules allow. "He has pushed the envelope further than any other leader in contemporary times," says Thomas Mann, a congressional scholar at the liberal-leaning Brookings Institution. The controversy is calling attention to some gray areas in congressional ethics rules. Overall, personal ethics on Capitol Hill are more tightly regulated than ever. In 1995, Congress cracked down on lobbyist largesse. It prohibited any lawmaker from receiving gifts worth more than $100 a year from any single source. The same year, it required lobbyists to disclose who they work for and how much they are paid. And in 2002, a new campaign-finance law banned six-figure contributions that corporations and labor unions had been making to buy access to members of Congress. But loopholes remain: • Travel. Ethics rules bar lobbyists from buying a lavish dinner for members of Congress, or from paying for first-class plane tickets and hotel bills at luxury resorts. But lobbyists can do all of those things, and more, as part of a "fact-finding" trip. Trips are the biggest loophole in the no-gifts rule. Since 2000, more than $16 million in private money has been spent on 5,410 trips for about 600 members of Congress, according to an analysis by PoliticalMoneyLine, an online political data service. The study found that just over half the trips were financed by tax-exempt and other groups that are under no obligation to disclose sources of their funding. "There are some great groups with great names that might not be so great when you find out who's behind them," says Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. "We've got to do a better job policing ourselves." •Relatives on the campaign payroll. Members of Congress aren't supposed to use campaign funds as a personal kitty. But donors' money can find its way into lawmakers' household budgets in the form of salaries paid to relatives. DeLay put his wife, Christine, and daughter, Dani Ferro, on his campaign payroll. And he has plenty of company on Capitol Hill. An analysis of 2004 campaign spending by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics found that at least 35 members of Congress had relatives as paid campaign workers, most for fundraising, management or clerical services. The practice has even been approved by the Federal Election Commission: In 2001, the FEC advised Rep. Jesse Jackson (news, bio, voting record) Jr., D-Ill., that he could retain his wife - a former congressional staffer with campaign experience - as a consultant so long as she was paid "no more than the fair market value" for her services. Other lawmakers have made similar arrangements for relatives without asking the FEC for a ruling. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., paid her husband's political consulting firm $180,025 for services, including campaign record-keeping and rent, in the 2003-04 election cycle. Rep. Richard Pombo (news, bio, voting record), R-Calif., hired his wife and brother for his campaign and paid them a total of $229,000 over two years. A 12-year-old law bars lawmakers from putting campaign money to personal use. But paying relatives out of campaign funds could skirt that law, says Norman Ornstein, an American Enterprise Institute scholar who studies Congress: "What you have is a situation where people can convert it to personal use by laundering it through their families." |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 And I believe you have just touched up on what I hope this sort of investigation can accomplish in the end, Alicat, an examination and identification of these loopholes and seeing to it not just DeLay, but everyone in the House and Senate, are increasingly aware of these rules. Again, some may look at the way the DeLay investigation has formed as a paltry character-assassination effort or political siege weapon. I don't really believe that to be the case ultimately, as I myself have kept my peace here on this thread and not bash DeLay in a way some bloggers have, criticizing him from re-styling his hair, closing in the gap between his two front teeth and presenting himself as amore softer DeLay to lashing out at him for his comment at the NRA meeting, things which I don't believe should be made a huge fuss over and focus on the investigation itself. Indeed politicians across both aisles are no stranger to some of the things DeLay is under investigation of, and I believe DeLay is just center to this whole spring cleaning effort because he is a House Majority Leader who has made and is under lots of controversy, and he has been admonished by the House three times, which, like Denise said, is not a severe warning, but still reveals his tendency to perhaps cut corners and cross lines. Whether he's proven innocent or guilty, I believe this sort of examination would ultimately be better for us all and bring more into focus the core ethics, even if only temporarily. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Personally, I find this oddly humourous. Two democratic senators did the same thing Delay did, howsoever with them, Pelosi wants to give those two a free pass, even though the same lobbyist paid for all three trips unbeknownst to the senators and two of Delay's aides. For Delay, Pelosi is deeply offended by his unethical behavior. For the fellow Democrats, Pelosi feels it was an honest mistake. Ironic, n'est pas? |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
It isn't so much ironic as it is hypocritical. Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress are using all these political slush funds to advance their own lifestyles. It comes to no suprise why approval ratings for Congress are devastatingly low right now. Tom DeLay uses his PAC fund to buy cigars. Roy Blunt billed his PAC for tickets to a Fleetwood Mac concert. Rick Santorum charges his PAC for Starbucks coffee. Michael Oxley has about $25,000 worth of limousine rides and Vail trips from his PAC. And so on. It's just a huge mess right now, and all these Republicans and Democrats who do that do in defense is rush saying its perfectly legal, when the real concern here is understanding who formed the law to begin with. Them. Sincerely, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" |
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