Holding Elected Officials Accountable

[bodypilot90 0]

The one thing on my mind today is really a question: Who are we? What kind of country have we become if we are willing to be led by liars and cheats?

The people we elect are called “representatives” — a highly technical term that means that they're supposed to represent us. But more than just representing us, they represent our values and our principles.

But the question is, are they?

Caroline Kennedy thought she could get into the Senate despite reports of tax evasion, nanny problems and rumors that she might literally be in bed with The New York Times.

President Obama’s treasury pick Tim Geithner, has — at best — iffy book-keeping skills and terrible judgment.

Congressman Charlie Rangel — the head of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee — also conveniently forgot to pay federal taxes and is also being investigated for his ethics.

Congressman John Murtha — the head of the Defense Appropriations Committee — has allegedly doled out millions of dollars in funding to a couple of Pennsylvania contractors who the feds just raided.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is accused of literally trying to sell the power his state loaned to him.

And, most disturbing of all, the man who said he's going to change the tone in Washington by keeping the lobbyists out, has now put one right into his administration. President Obama's nominee for deputy secretary of defense, William Lynn, has been a lobbyist for the defense contractor Raytheon.

Of course, it’s not just this current crop of leaders and it’s not just Democrats. Corruption and lying has become a bipartisan effort and we can only blame ourselves.



http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/20608/

[kbordson 8]

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Of course, it’s not just this current crop of leaders and it’s not just Democrats. Corruption and lying has become a bipartisan effort and we can only blame ourselves.

+1

We voted them in. We allowed ourselves to be lulled by rhetoric and infomercials. And then we are surprised when reality isn't as amazing as promised?!

[nerdgirl 0]

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...deputy secretary of defense, William Lynn, has been a lobbyist for the defense contractor Raytheon.

I would be curious to know how many political appointee or SES positions (beyond the folks who have been career civil servants) in DoD AT&L, have *not* been lobbyists or connected intimately to some major defense contractor. (Who has benefited from that?)

The only 2 I can think of off the top of my head who don't/aren't are Dr. Will Rees (DUSD(LABS)), who is a chemistry Professor on leave from Georgia Tech, and Mr. Jean Reed (SA(CBD&CD)), who was a career Army officer and HASC staffer.

/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[Capt.Slog 0]

Are you suggesting that Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld should be tried for war crimes, then?

[Amazon 7]

Interesting that people like Glen Beck... were not this concerned in 2004... Were was the outrage from Insanity.....

Things that make you go HMMMMMMM

[rushmc 23]

Quote

The one thing on my mind today is really a question: Who are we? What kind of country have we become if we are willing to be led by liars and cheats?

The people we elect are called “representatives” — a highly technical term that means that they're supposed to represent us. But more than just representing us, they represent our values and our principles.

But the question is, are they?

Caroline Kennedy thought she could get into the Senate despite reports of tax evasion, nanny problems and rumors that she might literally be in bed with The New York Times.

President Obama’s treasury pick Tim Geithner, has — at best — iffy book-keeping skills and terrible judgment.

Congressman Charlie Rangel — the head of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee — also conveniently forgot to pay federal taxes and is also being investigated for his ethics.

Congressman John Murtha — the head of the Defense Appropriations Committee — has allegedly doled out millions of dollars in funding to a couple of Pennsylvania contractors who the feds just raided.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is accused of literally trying to sell the power his state loaned to him.

And, most disturbing of all, the man who said he's going to change the tone in Washington by keeping the lobbyists out, has now put one right into his administration. President Obama's nominee for deputy secretary of defense, William Lynn, has been a lobbyist for the defense contractor Raytheon.

Of course, it’s not just this current crop of leaders and it’s not just Democrats. Corruption and lying has become a bipartisan effort and we can only blame ourselves.



http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/20608/

good post

oh, and ignore Slog, he has been drinking with Scotty and the doc again

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[billvon 3,072]

>The people we elect are called “representatives” — a highly technical term
>that means that they're supposed to represent us.

Correct.

>But more than just representing us, they represent our values and our principles.

No, they don't. There is no connection between the people we elect and our principles or values. The only criteria for them to be elected is that more people vote for them than the other guy. We could elect Timothy McVeigh to office if enough people voted for him. The one remedy for someone who turns out to be a poor representative is to vote for someone else next time.

Don't like it? There are several systems of government (like, say, a monarchy) where the rulers are appointed or hereditary instead of elected.

[mnealtx 0]

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>The people we elect are called “representatives” — a highly technical term
>that means that they're supposed to represent us.

Correct.

>But more than just representing us, they represent our values and our principles.

No, they don't. There is no connection between the people we elect and our principles or values.

And therein lies the problem - they are SUPPOSED to work in regard to what their constituents want, not their personal views.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[auburnguy 0]

Quote

Of course, it’s not just this current crop of leaders and it’s not just Democrats. Corruption and lying has become a bipartisan effort and we can only blame ourselves.

+2
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

"If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way."
- Homer Simpson

[billvon 3,072]

>they are SUPPOSED to work in regard to what their constituents want, not their
>personal views.

I disagree. If you want to elect someone who promises to do what you want, great. If you want to elect someone whose platform is "I will heed only my own counsel while I am in the legislature" you should be able to do that, too.

You elect a person, not a mouthpiece. If we really wanted someone who polled their constituents and did only what the majority wanted, we wouldn't need representatives - we'd just have a pure democracy.

Personally, I prefer leaders who listen to people when the topic is easily comprehended, but have the wisdom to disregard popular opinion when that popular opinion is misinformed or primarily emotional.

[mnealtx 0]

Agree to disagree, then... I believe they're called 'representative' for a reason, not just because it sounds impressive.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Amazon 7]

Perhaps more attention to WHO you are voting for.. rather than just letting the PARTY do all the work.. to their advantage... and you would not be so dissapointed so often.

[billvon 3,072]

>I believe they're called 'representative' for a reason . . .

Because they represent the people who voted for them in legislature.

[mnealtx 0]

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Perhaps more attention to WHO you are voting for.. rather than just letting the PARTY do all the work.. to their advantage... and you would not be so dissapointed so often.

Try again.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[mnealtx 0]

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>I believe they're called 'representative' for a reason . . .

Because they represent the people who voted for them in legislature.

Which is exactly why I expect them to vote the will of the people they represent.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[billvon 3,072]

>Which is exactly why I expect them to vote the will of the people they represent.

So if popular opinion turned against a war, you would advise a president to pull out immediately, no matter what the consequences?

[Andrewwhyte 1]

So Mike I am wondering who you think is a good example of the populist politician you are advocating? Bush clearly was not a populist. Rather he was a deeply principled leader who sought to "lead" the country where it needed to go. Ron Paul? Definitely not. Jesse Ventura? He would be as close as I've seen in US politics. Who would you point to?

[Amazon 7]

For someone who did not vote for him.. as you CLAIM.. you sure did provide him with uncompromising support on any of the GOAT FUCK STUPID things his Administration did.... It seems pretty hard to reconcile what you say... and your actions in support.

[lawrocket 3]

My thoughts? ANYBODY who has been around long enough will have issues. Anybody. I don't care who you are or how methodical, you will have issues.

Kennedy has tax evasion issues? EVERYBODY DOES! In bed with the New York Times? Guess what - it happens.

Geithner? Okay, this one is a bit ridiculous. Maybe he can do some things to help make these tax regulations easy enough for a Tresury Secretary to understand.

Rangel? Investigated for Ethics? Shocker.

Murtha? Doled out scratch for a raided company. Hell, if they are receiving federal funds I almost ASSUME they are up to no good.

Blago? Just the most spectacular example of power - and of course creating a new power play with similar abuse off power by the Sec of State.

And keeping lobbyists out of the government? While we're at it, let's ensure that attorneys cannot be made judges. These people are lobbyists BECAUSE they know how government works. They know the ins and outs of the process.

Obama's ONLY mistake was in his pronouncement that can cast doubt upon lobbyists - pretty much all of them. Calling it a "revolving door" is not, exactly, the number one thing to do.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[mnealtx 0]

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>Which is exactly why I expect them to vote the will of the people they represent.

So if popular opinion turned against a war, you would advise a president to pull out immediately, no matter what the consequences?

Try again, without the strawman. We're talking about Congress, not the Presidency.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

For someone who did not vote for him.. as you CLAIM.. you sure did provide him with uncompromising support on any of the GOAT FUCK STUPID things his Administration did.... It seems pretty hard to reconcile what you say... and your actions in support.

Sucks to be your bullshit argument then, doesn't it?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[masterrig 1]

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is accused of literally trying to sell the power his state loaned to him.


Wasn't Jesse Jackson trying to purchase that vacancy for his son?


Chuck

[Gawain 0]

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>they are SUPPOSED to work in regard to what their constituents want, not their
>personal views.

I disagree. If you want to elect someone who promises to do what you want, great. If you want to elect someone whose platform is "I will heed only my own counsel while I am in the legislature" you should be able to do that, too.

You elect a person, not a mouthpiece. If we really wanted someone who polled their constituents and did only what the majority wanted, we wouldn't need representatives - we'd just have a pure democracy.

I agree with this point, we elect these representatives as leaders to represent our best interests as a whole, not as a puppet. Though I agree with the original posting that these clowns don't even do that.

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Personally, I prefer leaders who listen to people when the topic is easily comprehended, but have the wisdom to disregard popular opinion when that popular opinion is misinformed or primarily emotional.

This strikes me as elitist. There is a notable majority of constituents that have been against these stimuli packages, auto-bailout, financial bailouts, etc. Yet, the government has moved forward.

To use the argument, "The issue is too complex" is a cop-out. It's not a complex matter to understand that the trillions that has been spent and/or printed over the past six months does NOT hold good tidings for our economy, our standing or stability long-term.

Congress has so tainted itself that now it no longer matters if the constituent response is emotional or not, nothing that comes out of these guys/gals mouths can be trusted as reality. Evidence of this continues with the new SecTreas confirmation, and may very well continue with DA designate...

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[bodypilot90 0]

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oh, and ignore Slog, he has been drinking with Scotty and the doc again

i figure he was drinking obama-aid

[bodypilot90 0]

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Kennedy has tax evasion issues? EVERYBODY DOES! In bed with the New York Times? Guess what - it happens.

Anyone, painting a little broad with the paint brush. Or do you mean any Kennedy.

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Geithner? Okay, this one is a bit ridiculous. Maybe he can do some things to help make these tax regulations easy enough for a Tresury Secretary to understand.

If he can't handle turbo tax i don't think he's smart enough to do much.

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Rangel? Investigated for Ethics? Shocker.

Murtha? Doled out scratch for a raided company. Hell, if they are receiving federal funds I almost ASSUME they are up to no good.

So then it's all right and they should get a free pass?

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Obama's ONLY mistake was in his pronouncement that can cast doubt upon lobbyists - pretty much all of them. Calling it a "revolving door" is not, exactly, the number one thing to do.

I guess he could be asking us to by 850 billion in condems and pork. Oh wait obama is asking us to do this.