Telecom Immunity Flip-Floppers Got More Telecom Money 277
ya really notes a nice analysis by Maplight.org indicating that those Democratic representatives who changed their vote on telecom immunity between March and June received on average 40% more in contributions from telecom interests than those Democrats who held firm. Maplight asks, "Why did these ninety-four House members have a change of heart? Their constituents deserve answers." Across both parties, representatives who voted for immunity in June had received almost twice as much telecom money as those who voted against. Wired's coverage includes a quote from Larry Lessig, who is on the Maplight board: "Money corrupts the process of reasoning. [Lawmakers] get a sixth sense of how what they do might affect how they raise money."
Re:Ex post facto is prohibited. (Score:4, Interesting)
Holly... Why didin't I hear about this like a thousand times during this debate on immunity?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_post_facto_law [wikipedia.org]
Before or after? (Score:1, Interesting)
Did they flip-flop as a result of an increase in contributions, or did they get an increase after they flip-flopped. Or were they always getting payed more.
Comment removed (Score:3, Interesting)
Not just telecom bailout, but government CYA (Score:3, Interesting)
It frustrates me to hear people say that government simply wants to bail out the telecoms, as if all they were doing is caving to big business.
My honest opinion is that those pushing this bill don't care at all about the interest of telecoms in this matter. The real reason is they don't want it to come out in court just what they were doing on behalf of our government.
The bill prevents people from suing telecoms for doing something on behalf of the White House. The case is to be thrown out on that grounds. Now, if you were suing the telecoms about this, don't you think the question of what the White House asked for would come up? Don't you think that in order for a meaningful trial to happen, that information would have to come out?
And from there, it's revealed that the White House has been asking for your phone conversations, in matters that have absolutely nothing to do with terrorism or any of the other things this administration claims it's acting for. And some Democrats probably know this, and don't want to get blamed for it either.
But. Let's also not forget that some Democrats are doing the right thing on this. I checked the roll call, and found that my representative voted no, as did the rep for the district I lived in before. So I can safely say that no one I voted for is behind this. :P
Re:Throw the bums out... (Score:3, Interesting)
This Congress is probably the best reason we should throw EVERYONE who is an incumbent out the door, particularly those who have been in place more than 1-2 terms - from BOTH sides of the aisle. Republicans are holding to big-government ideals rather than conservative ones, and haven't been worth much since Gingrich left; and Dems haven't done much of anything but posture and "investigate" with committees that have done nothing but waste taxpayers time (suing OPEC? WTF?), and NO ONE is working together well. The ONE argument that Obama has going for him, in my mind (being a conservative) is that he's relatively inexperienced.
One way to avoid the corruption problem: 100% public financing of ALL campaigns for elected office with the provision of equitable free air-time from all media outlets. Any sort of contribution or gift to a politician, monetary or otherwise, will be seen as a bribe and prosecuted as high treason.
I had really high hopes for Obama since, with the bulk of his donations coming from average joe Americans, he had no big business interests to be beholden to. that's the biggest flaw for conventional campaigns, the new pols come in already owing favors.
Re:As long as the government legislates the econom (Score:3, Interesting)
Bingo. The temporary backbone that our representatives had while they voted against telecom immunity was just a blip on the radar. The "fix" is in now. Somebody forgot to make their regular protection payments (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) and a lesson was made. "Don't pay up and see how difficult we make doing business in the US." The political system works for those that pay to play. Money flowed freely, laws were bought and paid for, and the citizens were fucked in the ass without lube.
Make note of these fucks and vote them out during the next election.
The thing that really sickens me is that it's the Democratic party leadership that is getting the most payoff. Rahm Emanuel, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer are all near the top of the list.
I'm still a democrat, but right now my party can fuck off for all I care.
Re:First of all (Score:1, Interesting)
There are a few that actually have principles of their own, not those dictated by campaign contributions or the polls.
In my opinion a politician should vote on issues according to their conscience and convince their constituents that that is the right thing to do. Unfortunately it seems most politicians these days are more about just getting elected and vote according to the polls and money, rather than provide real leadership.
Fortunately I have one very good senator (Russ Feingold) for who "Honorable" actually seems to apply.
He is also on some key committees (judicuary and intelligence) where he can help protect my rights. I once heard an FBI agent say that having Feingold (and Leahy) on the judicuary committee was a significant obstacle. That's a pretty good indication about who is actually protecting your right to privacy.
Re:The internet allows us to track and organize... (Score:3, Interesting)
Meet me at the Capitol. I'll bring the torches, you bring the pitchforks.
We'd be going after corrupt politicians who control the nation's military, not Frankenstein's monster. Realistically, there's no way to compete against that kind of firepower without defections from army and guard units in the region.
I'm only half kidding.
Same here. The last traditional coup attempt in this country was during the 30's, the robber-barons wanted to oust FDR but were ratted on by the man they tapped to lead their forces.
http://www.corporatemofo.com/stories/030928warracket.htm [corporatemofo.com]
Since then, the last effective coup we had was when the Supreme Court intervened and declared Bush the victor. Many people argued that this is just hyperbole from the Left and we need to cut back on the sugar and crack. I don't think so. We're in the midst of a gradual erosion of civilian control over this government, dying by inches over decades. The change is so slow it's hard to even point to where it began and the degrees by which it changes. But just look at how both the left and right are howling over issues that are ramrodded through Congress without any input from the people they allegedly represent. I'm bitching about FISA. My dad, a total right wing radio winger, is bitching about the new Dubai ports deal that's working it's way back into Congress. He's bitching about Bush and giving amnesty to illegals. The truth is that the parties aren't listening to any of us, they're just doing whatever the hell they want.
When neither party will represent the will of the people, we no longer have a representative government.
The Democrats have failed *utterly* (Score:3, Interesting)
a slight [sic] 54%/46% majority in the House is not what I would call "overwhelming" in any fashion.
On the contrary, it's completely decisive. All government funding must run through the House, and can only pass with a majority. The only thing the Democrats really had to do to fulfill their promises was to stop the war in Iraq, which they could have done trivially by staying in bed and not voting to fund it. They failed utterly in this.
So, with all due respect, f*** them and the horses they rode in on. That goes double for anyone who gets in my face about "wasting my vote" or "handing victory to the enemy" if I don't vote for the Democrat. I voted for the Democrats in 2006, and that's exactly what happened.
Re:Man are they cheap (Score:3, Interesting)
$8,359 to sell out this country. Didn't Spitzer spend more on some of his romps. Come on Senators, have some pride.
That's typical for the price of a congressmen on almost any issue. Instead of belaboring the fact that they are so cheap, we should take advantage of it. If SourceForge put together a PAC representing stereotypical slashdot interests - maybe even with a voting system for which issues to prioritize, I'd probably support it with a couple of hundred dollars of bribery fodder.