I just luuuuuuv it when a**holes like this go down. I'm sure this POS used his power to intimidate and possibly even destroy many lives. I hope he gets it in the can when hes in the can.
Why Bob......you took the words right out of my mouth. He suffers from what they call "Little Man's" disease. Always wanted to be a big shot but never quite made it past Snake Oil salesman! He would probably be considered a cutie in prison and could make friends with the lifers real easy! I hope he ROTS !
If this were a democrat, Gordy would be all up in arms about how corrupt they are... but now that its one of his own and directly from the top of the heap, suddenly he tries to smooth it all over with sugar coating! Nice try Gordo, we all know how addicted you are to koolaid!
All Politicians are crooked. They have so much Power after being elected; doing their job, they begin to think the American People are more stupid than anyone could ever imagine. We'll never find out. How does this play on the job they were chosen to do?. It does, getting distracted, forgetting about why they got this position to make America better...
He denies his guilt. Sure, why not?, He, in his criminal mind, doesn't know what he did; another Sociopathic Personality, just like Charlie Rangel, and all the other Criminals who represent us.
Is the American Public stupid. I'd say yes, because it us who vote these crooks into office Do your homework before voting in any election.
Why do most Politicians who work for US Citizens, looking out for our best interests stray from the track? Money, women, booze, and power. Power and greed, one mix for trouble. It is an Aphrodisiac.
Now what about the woman who descended from the throne as recent Majority Leader of the House. What tale does she have to tell?
I think this underscores GOP strategy and end game. Go to any lengths to ensure as many of their own are elected. It is the ends justify the means mind set that dictates their actions, and leads them to intentionally mislead the American public. After all, they know what's best for the rest of us - they just need our votes, and if that takes a campaign of deception, so be it.
Stacy.... His case has just been turned over to the IRS.... I'm guessing he too will do some time. The house ethics panel could not send him to jail, as they do not have that power. Only a judge can do that.
I'm guessing he will be cooling his heals just like DeLay in a year or so.
Prosecutors said DeLay, who once held the No. 2 job in the House of Representatives and whose heavy-handed style earned him the nickname "the Hammer," used his political action committee to illegally channel $190,000 in corporate donations into 2002 Texas legislative races through a money swap.
Lol, and he may get life in prison for this....while Rangal doesnt even lose his seat hahaha. Oh well, nobody said life was fair eh?
No, David Walker... (I'm not...)... I really did not have to read any further than the recorded comment by Mr. DeLay (early in the article)... "The criminalization of politics... ...I'm dissappointed at the outcome." !!! Now all of you who love politics - how much more do we need to see? Politics is Criminal behavior. But don't tell me that you do not love politics. I will ask the question again. Where do you think all the politicians come from? (Hint: From, you, the people who love politics.) Where do you think politics starts at? (Hint: With, you, the people who love politics, and think you must have politics to keep living.) [I read the in between part of this comment by Mr. DeLay ("...undermines our very system...") and knew that all of you know exactly what I have wrote above.] Another big HINT: At one time this was Not our System. But for all of the 'politicians' who have become too lazy, spineless (like sponges) and like to beat each other, and everyone else, with someone else's hands and feet, and spy on each other, and everyone else, with someone else's eyes, and gossip about each other, and everyone else, with some other person's mouth; well what do you have but criminal politics; like this Mr. DeLay and whoever and whatever else is to come!
They are probably taking Rangel's age into account, by not putting him in jail. Talk about a checkered past---he seems like a nice guy, but underneath the Armani suits lies another liar, greedy person; serving for 52 years in Politics. The Dems are kind to themselves when presented with criminal activity of one of their fellow members.
Actually Hawaii Congressman Charlie Rangel holds "THE BRONZE STAR" for heroism in WWII saved 40 men unlike deferment Cheney, Limbaugh, AWOL Bush and the list goes on.
It's a good thing I suppose that Mr Delay had that stint on Dancing With The Stars, gives him something to do while doing time. I don't think he'll lead though. LOL
I do know about Rangel's Bronze Star. What a shame. I know inside Rangel truly means well, but got carried away with all the things that come with a Politician's life. So many grandiose offers, and chances. It is hard to resist, but one must have the control to pass it by. Ethics and Values.
There are over 500 people in Congress. We hear about a few (maybe a dozen or two) that are corrupt or criminally inept. That doesn't mean the other 500 are. I suspect that the majority - maybe even the great majority - are commendable citizens and public servants. Believe it or not, I by and large have faith in most of our elected representatives. Certainly, though, we want to avoid the mistake of judging all by the sins of a few.
We hear about a few (maybe a dozen or two) that are corrupt or criminally inept. That doesn't mean the other 500 are. I suspect that the majority - maybe even the great majority - are commendable citizens and public servants. Believe it or not, I by and large have faith in most of our elected representatives. Certainly, though, we want to avoid the mistake of judging all by the sins of a few.
hehe, not gonna let you have it,,,,just going to say you might be a bit naive :) I'll bet my life that there is an "accepted" amount of corruption that regularly goes on with our elected representatives. The ones you hear about just go beyond the pale, or have backstabbed the wrong people. Just a hunch of course.....
Even move reason to boycott and despise "Dancing With The Stars" because they obviously support and glorify treasonous criminals like DeLay and Blago, not to mention momma greazsly's no talent white trash cub.
maybe all the dems under investigation now should be treated likewise. we wouldnt be able to have a quarum for any legislation. also, i am not saying that the punishment is too stiff, but he could get out of prison sooner if hew killed someone.
When you want to make big bucks in this country but you don't want to work real hard to get it, become a politician. Chances are that you will make it without doing jail time.
Barbara Adams Jackson Lincoln Obama. Does being awarded the star allow him to cheat on his taxes? My father has a bronze star and I don't remember any IRS agents at the house. I'll ask mom tomorrow after dinner and get back witch ya.
Stacy - Per the DeLay vs. Rangel comparison, the DeLay case was held in a Texas court to answer charges of breaking Texas laws. Rangel was investigated inside Congress regarding charges of breaking House rules, which may well lead his home state to follow suit based on what was exposed in the House report. It's a "wait and see" for Rangel. He's not out of the woods yet.
Oh come on. Prison? This guy will probably plead guilty to a lesser charge, and do 50 hours of community service. Prison? For a congressman or senator? LOL!
Dang, you libs couldn't wait to bring out the tea party slams. Pull your heads out of your collective arses. They're mostly a bunch of crooks on both sides of the fence.
The big difference is the Repubs get hammered while the Dems get a slap on the wrist. Bad Demmie. Baaaad Demmie. Now pay those back taxes or we have to cancel one of your fund raisers.
Face it this guy is going to get a slap on the wrist. He still has his behind the scenes power base. Realize that both Dems and GOP are thieves and people have to see that the laws of this Country will always favor the people that write them-rich lawyers. The truth is this Country is run behind the scenes by the Rockerfellers through their Bank and it's friends. Ever wonder why so many of our political and corporate leaders are skull and bones members?
All politicians are crooked. The major difference here is that Delay may get prison time for trying to help the Party he belongs to, but Rangel (who was strictly being greedy for personal gains) will get nothing.
Rangel should get 20 years and Delay should get the slap on the wrist.
It does not matter which party these crooks belong to. If they're found guilty, they need to be removed for cause from their positions and then sent to jail.
Now taking bets on how quickly he'll buy his way out of jail time...
"DeLay has chosen to have Senior Judge Pat Priest sentence him. He faces five years to life in prison on the money laundering charge and two to 20 years on the conspiracy charge. He also would be eligible for probation."
Really? We're allowed to choose the Judge of our choice? This freak will get probation just as sure as we live and breathe.
Let me give our government just one reason to legalize marijuana:
1. So I can pretend that I'm not being screwed by politicians, and their corporate thugs, on a continual daily basis!.
Your greed has made America sick, and no health care policy is going to cure us!
This guy was the king of the in-your-face F-you so this is especially awesome. He loved it and would say the jerkiest things on camera. That a Republican got a guilty verdict in Texas is surprising but that means it must have been really undeniable.
Well, this is good news just in time for turkey day. Delay had best cram himself full of turkey and cranberry sause, as the prison only serves something that "looks" like turkey.
Also, maybe it wasn't a good idea for him to go on DWTS shakin' his "groove thang." I thought that it was the most horrible sight I've ever seen. Now all of the "bubbas" in prison will make him put on a real short tight skirt, with the same kind of hooker red patent leather pumps that Sarah Palin grifted from the RNC... and make him... you guessed it, shake his :groove thang" A-L-L--N-I-G-H-T--L-O-N-G for the rest of his life. Hahahahaha!
It couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.
I hope that they can take some pics and make some movies of Delay "shakin' his groove thang" in pison - his new home for the rest of his life.
WHY wasn't he immediately taken into custody, and made to do the perp walk in front of the news cameras like the criminal that he is. This is a travesty of justice!!
And before the Repub/GOP/Bagger or winger trolls starts talking about Charles Rangel, I believe in "equal opportunity" and do not discrimanate. Whether you're Republican/GOP/Baggers or winders, Democrat, Independent, if you're caught doing dirty, we just need ya to go.
Hey Delay, how is that "most powerful and feared" thang workin' out for ya?! (that's a rhetorical question).
Looks like "Jesus just don't like people with ugly hearts 'n minds." LMAO!
Tom Delay has no moral compass, and has always been way too cocky, and WAS NEVER a servant of the people of this country. HE THOUGHT THAT HE OWNED THIS COUNTRY. So I'm looking forward to the day when the news reports that Tom Delaney is being used as a prison play toy (if you know what I mean!)
No, umgawa, they all deserve prison time for their greed and corruption. But the best way to start reforming our election/campaign finance system and end this corruption is to join the Popular Amendment movement to petition for the passage of the election/campaign finance reform and term limits constitutional amendments. Go to www.faircampaignreform.us and join in the petition drive. With your help, we can change the way we run our elections and the way campaign financing happens. The amendment would limit personal donations to $200/individual and $500/family residing in the same household. All PAC/corporate/union/non-profit/special interest/et. al. donations and "third party" advertising would be banned and all lobbyists would be banned from Congress. It also puts the power of the elections totally back in the hands of the voters (one man/one vote ruling) by eliminating party conventions for the selection of candidates for any federal office and moving ALL federal primaries to ONE NATIONAL PRIMARY DAY just eight weeks prior to the General Election, with a 60 day filing period prior to the NPD. It also would require every candidate to file a "contract with the voters" as part of that filing petition and that contract would have to spell out the candidate's position on every possible issue that might face that elected office. If any one or more items in that contract are violated, then the voters can take that politician to court for breach of contract.
Term limits would limit each federal office to two terms with a maximum of six total for the three federal offices.
I just don't understand why this sort of thing is still happening. I know, corrupt politicians, it's like an old joke. I understand that there are many rich and powerful men in charge, behind the scenes, that allow this kind of thing to keep happening. So what is it going to take to make serious changes in the way we elect our officials? Why is this such a difficult thing to get done? Can politics be SO corrupt that there is no way to fix it? Short of an all out revolution, what are our choices?
Join the Popular Amendment movement Leee and help us get the two constitutional amendments passed. That would be a start towards ending the corruption.
A Right Winger under Bush!! Unfortunately, they didn't go after Bush and Chaney for their war crimes, too. But the enlisted were put in jail for enforcing up the command requirements.
The minute an elected official turns their back on us, they do not pay attention to our voices or needs, working for those who elected them, we get scr-------------by them.
Taxes? Embezzling, putting their hands in the cookie jar. Our money. Do you like your hard earned money stolen for the luxury of the Politican? How about putting a lot of money in the Freezer, Like the defamed Jefferson?
Sadly, for the Republican party, I think Tom Delay is the standard, NOT the exception.
Why is it that the Republicans seem bent on dirty politics, anger, untruths, inflammatory statements, anti-gay statements (while having sex in restrooms,) and the chosen determination to block progress in their county for the sake of their politics <Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl>, and religious righteousness, <Sarah Palin> while supporting the OLD guard, the lobbyists, the old DC INboys?
Tom Delay is <sadly> the poster boy for the Republican Party. <Thanks America, for scre*wing us again by giving HIS ORANGENESS John Boehner, the podium. It's ONLY a matter of time before HE goes down too......
History and failure have a way of repeating themselves. The Republicans are GOOD at it......
The article said Mr. Delay "chose" the Judge who will sentence him.........what's with that?..................I mean, it is obvious Mr. Delay has many friends in high places...................seems strange when the person convicted of a crime gets to pick his/her sentencing Judge.....do you think that your ordinary garden variety poor criminal would get the same option?
Bet he thought he was bullet proof...................nice to see another criminal reap the rewards of his hard illegal efforts................
Oh and those of you comparing Delay's premeditated "Money Laundering", to Rangel missing some things on his tax returns, have a skewed sense of justice.
funny thing is as all you dems/libs salivate over this like a bunch of irrational hypocrite partisan hacks:
what delay did pales in comparison to the charges that could/should be brought up against your queen; pelosi. foremost, the channeling of business to her husband and the bypassing of regulations so his company could have windfall profits.
Charlie Rangel used his office stationery for public business and was mistaken about his taxes and owes more money than he paid. He will be paying extra cash penalties to the IRS. Have you ever made a mistake on a tax form?
Tom Delay, on the other hand, disenfranchised Texas Democrat voters.
Why is it a contest on who has more crooks in either party?
The fact stands, that we are not getting effective service from our Poltiicians. There is no sincere Watchdog over them. Why not?----they are "draining" the public without any remorse.
A Politician in the process of being elected has to be backed up by HUGE money these days. For the money supporters who know their "guy" or woman has flaws in the $$$ stealing department; they are just as guilty.
Money backers know the persona of who they are getting into office. It is symbolism to them, also making them part of the inner circle, getting to events and parties at the WH, villas in other countries, and free luxurious vacations flown by private jets.
OK, let me get this straight - we have a guy who is in violation of ethics and other issues, and he is basically censured, and Democrats who DO NOT PAY THEIR TAXES in the Cabinent (or paid them but without the huge penalties for nonpayment that we wouldn't get out of paying if we pulled the same stunt)...
BUT Delay is possibly going to be sentenced to life for money laundering for political candidates?
Note, the censured fellow is a Democrat, the laundering is a Republican.
Now, I know and understand that Delay was tried in Texas, but it says a lot when you think about it.
It says that Delay was that much more crooked. The other people you mentioned had ethics violations or transgressions that required penalties. None of them were criminal violations. That doesn't mean that Democrats can't be naughty; only that I see no double standard.
I think the number of Congressional Representative guilty of this type of crime is equal on both sides of the aisle. Rep. James Traficant was released from jail on equal or greater charges..
You are so right. Ronnie Earle is very happy now. He's such an A**hole and he couldn't stand that he was just a local yokel and Delay was in Washington. Someday soon Ole Earle is going to get his....................
You are exactly right Mel, but look at these starving sheep graze!!! Their eyes glaze over like a shark attacking prey, no sense in trying to be logical in this, their moment of glory hahah.
Probably a forgotten fact in this story is the Democrat DA had to convene, correct me if I am wrong, like 12 grand jury's before he could get one sympathetic to his cause to get the indictment.
Look at the crooks in office now, Tim Geitner -D forgot?? to pay taxes even though he was sent quarterly statements. John Kerry -D buys a 7 million dollar yacht parks it in Rhode Island to avoid paying the taxes in Ma. Charlie Rangle -D mister I'm from the bronx and a minority so I only get censured. William Jefferson -D I keep 90 thousand dollars in my freezer during hurricanes. ( draw your own conclusions on this one)
Point is there is a definite double standard when it comes to ethics and how they are dealt with Democrat corruption gets swept aside while Republicans go to trial.
Mel it was the Texas law that Delay broke, actually if every state had that law in place it would settle the last fiasco wrought on us by the Robert's court of corporations funneling money to candidates
I could explain some of it to you........but doubt if you can comprehend..
1. William Jefferson has been brought up on Federal Charges - but why not give him the 5 years to go to trial that Tom Delay had.
2. now this will be tough for you - Charlie Rangle cannot be sentenced to prison by the House Ethics Committee - I know you just don't get it - But the House has no authority to try, convict and sentence anyone...
Now Mr Delay had charges brought against him in 2005 in Texas - he resigned his leadership role and did not run again in 2006 - thus no ethics committee appearance...
It is hard at times to believe how absolutely uninformed you on the "right" are - until you put your words down in a post.....then you prove you are dumber then one thinks!
Um Jock - not paying your taxes is a CRIMINAL offense - sometimes getting jail time as well as penalties, especially when that long.
Huskers - you are right; however, it should scare you to know that they're getting away practically with murder (trust me, we wouldn't get a grace to repay our taxes like some of these Cabinent members did) on the federal level.
I agree that if people had the same laws that we do in Texas we'd have less issues long term in our government. The state Congress in Texas has a challenge next session to get out of red (They have to by state Constitution have a balanced budget), but they'll do it faster because they don't allow nonsense like DeLay's stuff.
And frankly, sanity? - the fact you say one sentence and not why I'm supposedly wrong shows that your comment lacks a whole lot more merit.
It is hard at times to believe how absolutely uninformed you on the "right" are - until you put your words down in a post.....then you prove you are dumber then one thinks!
Hey Husker! I thought huskers loved Osborne? Whats up with that black shirt? There is only one thing more prevalent in your state than corn. Nuclear missle silos. Maybe that is why I like Nebraska so much. You guys rock!
All you defenders of Delay who throw up Democrats such as Rangel and Geithner overlook one thing. Their level of arrogance isn't even on the scale when compared to Delay. His attitude, commentary, and demeanor contributed to his conviction. A bit of humility goes a long way. But Delay will never serve a day. All those hardline conservative Republican appellate judges in Texas owe their robes to The Hammer.
As a moderate Democrat I'm not sure I disagree with the opinion regarding the mere censure of our recent corrupt Congressman. If he is truly guilty he should be tried. I agree it should be equial punishment, just not on the light side. I don't really know if there are substantial differences between the cases but I totally agree with the post in principle.
How frightening, though, is Delay's comment re: the criminalization of politics. He's right, that is incredibly disturbing! Unfortunately he means that illegal activity should be permitted. I think it's a shame that criminal activity is accepted up to the point where it can't be hidden. I'm disgusted by both sides of the aisle.
This strikes me as one of those situations where "legal advisors" may have steered the guy wrong. Delay didn't personally profit from any of this. It's not like he kept the money. Here's the way this went down. The law forbids corporate donations to candidates. So the PAC collected donations, and gave them to the RNC. The RNC gave a separate set of donations - collected from private donors - to the Texan Republican candidates, in like amounts.
From a purely technical perspective, if they can show that the money was sent to the RNC and placed in one account, and then sent to the Texan candidates from a separate account, it's not the same money. If that money came from private donors, it's an arguably legal action. The ethics of it are pretty vague, depending on your world view.
Delay lost this round. I suspect he has a pretty good chance on appeal. This is one of those unfortunately common situations when the law has a grey area that it potentially open to exploitation. The legal issues are also thorny. If Delay loses his appeal, you can bet that there will be further prosecutions, some of Democrats, that might run afoul of the law purely unintentionally.
so. rorschach, what you're saying is that a druglord in Mexico can legally transfer money to a corporation in Texas, and then have the same amount of money sent by that corporation to the druglord's right-hand man back in Mexico, and no money laundering took place?
I'm not quite sure where everybody on this board commenting about tax evasion got their law/accounting degrees but they clearly haven't read up on the law lately.....
95% of corporations that underpay tax (a yearly occurance) have no consequences except for the interest on the underpayment. Penalties might be assessed but they are almost always abated. Unless there is significant provable intent to defraud the government of the funds, there is no crime. Crime implies intent or criminal negligence, not stupidity....
Rangel is being censured for things that are NOT crimes. They are "ethics violations" based upon the rules of Congress. One of the "worst" violations was using a personal home/apartment for a campaign headquarters. Really....
The thing with Delay is that he thought he could get aruond the rules. This has more to do with the fact that he said F U to the law instead of very easily working around it avoid the crime. He always acted as if he was above the law because he had a hand in writing them. And now he'll go to jail for breaking the law...which I think he clearly did.
Actually, for those implying that I am defending Delay, I'm not. I find what he did atrocious.
I do find it rather interesting though we have people committing federal crimes who are getting nothing more than a slap on the wrist and are in our cabinent, but Texas they don't. Doesn't anyone actually THINK that there's something wrong with this?
(BTW, I must have a very valid point if they collapsed this - I really don't get why it was collapsed due to my comments.)
1] Regarding the Tom DeLaY VSCharley Rangel issue raised repeatedly in this thread, the righties moaning about Rangel need to understand that he was just on trial in the House, not in criminal court. He can still be tried in criminal court and the House does not have the power to send anyone to prison. Once again, you'd be well off to actually read the Constitution, not just wave it around in the air as you prance about in your Colonial Drag outfits.
2] Delay will just get his wrist slapped cuzthose guys never get any real punishment? Tell it to Dan Rostenkowski who went from Speaker to Prisoner. And uh huh, he was a Dem. Corruption doesn't respect party lines.
3] I'd like to see the Powers That Be in the Repubs reviewing how they were acting as DeLays lapdogs eight years or so ago. Yeah Boehnor, I'm talking to you.
I've been watching what the congress has done to Democrats guilty of much worse than what Tom Delay did and all they got was a slap on the hand or less. This makes me wonder if this prosecution was nothing more than a Kangaroo Court.
There seems to be a double standard in Washington and in the press that is very disturbing.
The constitution says we must have "equal rights under the law" but it doesn't seem that way in congressional matters.
Creep deserves it. He a'int smiling now is he. He'll appeal and drag it out a couple more years. What a waste of time and money. Put his creepy @** in the pen for good.
That people take Fox commentary, Rush commentary, Beck commentary and Hannity commentary as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but, is frightening. Even MSNBC comentary. People need to be informed from more unbiased sources, hear both sides. And here's an idea read a book! Research it and have your own opionion based on fact, not someone elses.
I'm sorry Trader that your precious Republican got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Interesting though that when Democrat Charles Rangel got nailed, you were dancing in the streets. Now when a Republican gets caught, somehow it's all back on Obama's shoulders.
You have no idea what you're talking about. Underpaying on your taxes is not a criminal act unless you can prove intent. Its estimated that more than 50% of taxpayers in America (mostly corps.) underpay their taxes either inadverently or on purpose. Rangel's only crime is being stupid. Delay purposely ignored a law that he could have easily avoided. I think Delay being spiteful of what he's done is worse. Of course if you weren't a dyed in the wool Republican you'd probably agreed. If a republican of Delay's history can get convicted in Texas than you know he did something henious....
Harry, Linked, Gordy - Like I said above, you might want to have a chat with Dan Rostenkowski. He won't get life, but I'm betting he does hear that steel door shut behind him.
Good how much longer are the people going to sit around if this past election did not show the crooks then putting them in jail will. I lost a very good job due to a lier which is not much different then a crook, if we start demanding they get jail time things will change in a few years we will have a country to be proud of again
Unfortunatley, HuskersLoveBo, the SCOTUS has fixed things so now it's legal to do what Delay was convicted on. I remember something about an orphanage he used for laundering some of the money. I wonder what became of that little scam. I don't blame DeLay, he was an exterminator before becoming a congressman; the toxic chehmicals probably destroyed his brain and made him terminally corrupt. Not sure what the excuse is for the SCOTUS.
Most of the TPers belong in prison right now for sedition, if not Treason! But that won't happen either!
DeLay was convicted by a jury of his peers, in Texas, which is primarily a Republican State, if they are willing to do it, I don't see why anyone should be whining about it.
You can't be serious. Any opposition to your point of view is sedicious? Let's just recind the whole first amendment so no contrary views can be voiced.
I may not like what others have to opine but I will not be party to silencing their voice.
Please let us all know your thoughts on whether the first amendment covers those who believe they should be allowed to "take back their government by force" and "use my gun to vote"?
Just one more reason we should vote OUT all incumbents. I don't care what party they are. These long time office holders have been let run wild. It's time to show them we are sick of this crap and vote them out. That is the only thing we can do. And if the ones we allow to hold office start this same crap, vote them out. It is all we as a people can do. So stop re-electing these old crooks and do some real changing. We changed Presidents, and got a bad one again. So we will vote him out. Stop believing these liars. Wake up Amreica............ Who is running this Country ?
Hey, I've got an idea. Let's vote out the bad ones and keep the good ones. That way the country will be run by thinking people, rather than knee-jerk emotional reactions.
I feel your outrage Harlan but the next Speaker (Boner) once passed out lobbyists checks on the House floor right before a vote on a bill. You think he's bought and paid for? All politicians talk about America first, your children and grandchildren's future but who do they listen to? The SCOTUS just made it even harder to vote these people out with that unlimited money raising decision. I want us to vote for us and finally allow publicly financed elections. No outside money allowed and small donations only by registered voters.
Stop blaming PRESIDENT OBAMA for for all the b***s*** that is in Washington it was there when he was elected. You're mad that a black man had the intelligence to finally get to the highest office in the land and free world. You want a a good ole boy or a backwoods girl (PALIN) to get in the office for 'business as usual' well let me be the first to burst your bubble. So Don now would be the time to just hang your self.
Vote them out and put in who? Certainly not T.P. ers. While the Tea Party base might be good ,honest and concerned citizens the leadership is very questionable?
I concur that there is an absolute need for Term Limits, whether mandated or voter enforced. Both would be nice, ideal, because if the limit is 2 that will give us voters the chance to review the deeds of the incumbent and measure them against the yardstick of the will of the constituents. Alas when the 2nd term has come, then we will be well prepared for the rapine and plunder that the elected official perceives as their due for services rendered.
Transparency in government would also be ideal. I suggest the easiest way to achieve it is not to expect it from the politicians themselves because the nature of the Game and the mental capacity of the politicians, rightly, in their worldview, hold Transparency to be pariah! Transparency is required in the sight of the voter. I would pray that with the soundbite size attention span of the voter could be set aside for some brief, real, reading. I would suggest Goldsworthy's treatment of Caesar. Read that and you will be amazed just how transparent Politicians become! Peace!
The real problem is that most voters are so fickle and uneducated in politics that they can't be trusted to vote for the candidate that is truly honest and trustworthy, or they just can't recognize that all politicians are corrupt and only in the game for their own power and greed. Just look at how every single incumbent has increased his/her wealth while in office (on their $174,000-$223,500 annual salary.) From http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/ss/Wealthiest-Members-of-Congress.htm
Overall, members of Congress saw their personal wealth grow by more than 16 percent during the worst economic downturn in the United States since the Great Depression, according to financial disclosures submitted by lawmakers.
The median personal wealth for members of Congress grew to $911,510 in 2009, up from $785,515 in 2008, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The median wealth of a U.S. House member was $765,010 in 2009, up from $645,503 in 2008, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Nearly half of the members of Congress are millionaires.
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is one of 261 millionaire members of Congress, according to an analysis of personal wealth conduct by the Center for Responsive Politics. (Between $46M and $108M in 2010)
U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat from West Virginia, reported a net worth of between $61.4 million and $136.2 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas, reported a net worth of between $73.7 million and $201.5 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Republican from Florida, reported a net worth of as much as $366.2 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, a Democrat from Wisconsin, reported a net worth of between $89.4 million and $231.2 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado, reported a net worth of between $36.7 million and $285.1 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, reported a net worth of between $65.7 million and $283.1 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
U.S. Sen. John Kerry, a Democrat from Massachusetts, reported a net worth of between $182.8 million and $294.9 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, a Democrat from California, reported a net worth of between $151.5 million and $435.4 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, reported a net worth of between $156.1 million and $451.1 million in 2010, according to financial disclosures.
Notice that in this list of the top ten wealthiest, the wealth goes up as you go down the list and the biggest spread in the value of their wealth in their financial disclosure are the last two. I wonder how they come up with such wide spreads from the low to the high of their net worth. Anyone else wonder how they have made that money and how their net worth has gone up 16% during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression? It couldn't have all been from the volatile stock market. So that means a lot of it must have come from the greed and corruption tied to their benefactors, the great American/multi-national corporations, right?
patA, that is one reason I'm supporting the Popular Amendment movement. I live in the USVI, where we have no vote for the President, NO representation in the Senate, and only a voting voice in whatever committee(s) our Delegate in the House can get appointed to. He/she has NO voice or vote on the floor. Yet we are affected by every action that Congress takes, often even more so because our Medicare benefits, etc. are less than what I would get if I still lived in OH or anywhere else "stateside." We still pay the same FICA tax rate as everyone else, but get fewer benefits. And before anyone criticizes me for living here, I moved here for my health. The older I got, the less my body could tolerate constantly changing temperatures. 51 years in NW OH were 51 years too many. I've been here in St. Croix now for 15 years and plan to stay here unless things get much worse in the good ole USA or until I can save up the money to move. Then, it'll be off to Panama, one of the few places in the world where we seniors on SS can still survive on our meager income.
It sounds like the Judge should have been indicted along with her two sisters, Jane and Janine. Judges are going down right and left throughout the country for misdeeds in office or in election campaigns. We need to clean house from every single local office through every federal office and take them all to court. The problem is that it is questionable how many of the prosecutors are clean and how many are also on the take. Who's going to prosecute the prosecutors?
Creep deserves it. He a'int smilin now is he. He'll appeal and drag this out a couple more years. What a giant wast of time and money. Put his sorry @** in the pen and forget it.
Democrat, Republican, Independent, I don't care, all politicians need to be held accountable and I am glad to see that Tom Delay is not getting a pass. I hope they all start ratting each other out, if they are not playing by the rules they need to be punished, period.
Every time someone gets called out they cry "politics". Sorry Delay, I don't buy it, besides who is going to bring it out, certainly not a fellow republican. If you got dirt on some democrats lets lynch them too, you are all the same to me.
Jail then all. If they choose politics they should be above illegal actions and those that break the law should be considered Traitors and tried for treason
DEEELAY is the very personification of human waste. He's a liar with a long pathetic republican history. This will be a great test of justice in this country. If this bastard walks, then we know without exception, justice is dead in this ragbag country
Creep deserves it. He's a crook. Always has been. He aint smilin now is he. He'll appeal and drag it a couple more years. What a giant waste of time. Put his sorry @** in the pen and forget him.
Good I dea that is why we all should demand term limits Vote them out after three terms. south carolina just got rid of a congress joke that had not done but three things of mention in 29 years is all a joke after three terms, hay three strikes you are out ha ha
I disagree on the term limts. I live in Hawaii. The only way small states get ANYTHING for the federal budget is to have their representatives gain power through seniority.
smaller government with less spending and more state money could just stay in the state and not have to be doled out by washington. i live in the rural midwest and am tired of my tax dollars bailing out NY and Cal.
Better yet! Resigning was the admirable thing to do! Did you here that Charlie, Maxine?
Niether Charlie or Maxine are being charged with a crime. They are charged with ethics violations. Money laundering is a felony. On the other hand, John Ensign (R-Nevada) had sex with a coworker, then fired her and her husband, and then had his parents pay them $90K to shut up about it. He will be charged with bribery, a felony. He's still in office. Then there was that guy Sanford the previous Rep gov of N. Carolina. He flew to Argentina to meet his lover (cheat on his wife), and chaged it to you and me. That's also a crime.
Before you make comparisons gethtefacts, perhaps you should get the facts.
ComradeChaos said-
...Rangel should occupy the cell next to his...
As I indicated above. DeLay has been convicted of a Felony. Rangel was found guilty of ethics violations. Morally, perhaps not so different, but legally they are very different.
...but wait, when reps get caught, they get voted out...when dems get caught they get reelected...
You obviously know nothing about Arizona politics.
When I first viewed this article 15 minutes ago there were 256 comments posted, mostly negative about DeLay. When I returned to reread it, there were no longer any comments. Shouldn't someone be asking why all these legitimate comments were removed from this website? Whatever happened to freedom of speech?
I'm almost typeless. This can't be. A Republican doing naughty things. A Democrat - sure. OMG!
I just luuuuuuv it when a**holes like this go down. I'm sure this POS used his power to intimidate and possibly even destroy many lives. I hope he gets it in the can when hes in the can.
I hope he finds out why they call it the "pokey", and also becomes familiar with the term " hardened criminal".
I feel like dancing in the streets I hope Delay gets gang raped in prison, Yahoo! Couldn't happen to a more deserving man.
Why Bob......you took the words right out of my mouth. He suffers from what they call "Little Man's" disease. Always wanted to be a big shot but never quite made it past Snake Oil salesman! He would probably be considered a cutie in prison and could make friends with the lifers real easy! I hope he ROTS !
And he sits at the right hand of God along with the rest of the Repubicans.
Like many in the Party of No, he is Metaphysically Evil (see Dick Cheney)...and I am a "mere" Agnostic.
The man was a two-bit Exterminator and, by the absence of God, somehow landed in Congress.
He, like many Teapublicons, is an inveterate, narcissistic, anti-American, anti-Patriotic, Mammon-worshipping, "Evangelical," Neo-Con criminal.
I respect the bacteria in my small intestine more than most in the Party of No.
If this were a democrat, Gordy would be all up in arms about how corrupt they are... but now that its one of his own and directly from the top of the heap, suddenly he tries to smooth it all over with sugar coating! Nice try Gordo, we all know how addicted you are to koolaid!
He's gonna look mighty cute in them jeans.......!
Seriously.... the list of crooks on both sides of the asile is long and.... well at least long. Distinguished is a word that shouldn't be applied.
I'm not speechless.
All Politicians are crooked. They have so much Power after being elected; doing their job, they begin to think the American People are more stupid than anyone could ever imagine. We'll never find out. How does this play on the job they were chosen to do?. It does, getting distracted, forgetting about why they got this position to make America better...
He denies his guilt. Sure, why not?, He, in his criminal mind, doesn't know what he did; another Sociopathic Personality, just like Charlie Rangel, and all the other Criminals who represent us.
Is the American Public stupid. I'd say yes, because it us who vote these crooks into office Do your homework before voting in any election.
Why do most Politicians who work for US Citizens, looking out for our best interests stray from the track? Money, women, booze, and power. Power and greed, one mix for trouble. It is an Aphrodisiac.
Now what about the woman who descended from the throne as recent Majority Leader of the House. What tale does she have to tell?
DeLay found guilty - send him to jail - appropriate.
Rangel hasn't declared part of his income for 17 years - censure? - why isn't Rangel being tried for tax fraud?
I think he will because he just lost any protection he got from the government. And if Delay is killed I want to dance on his grave.
DeLay was forced out of his position by Republican leadership when these charges first surfaced.
Democrat tax evasion creeps get censored or become Treasury Secretary with the full approval of Democrat controlled congress.
NO DOUBLE STANDARDS OF COURSE?
I think this underscores GOP strategy and end game. Go to any lengths to ensure as many of their own are elected. It is the ends justify the means mind set that dictates their actions, and leads them to intentionally mislead the American public. After all, they know what's best for the rest of us - they just need our votes, and if that takes a campaign of deception, so be it.
Stacy.... His case has just been turned over to the IRS.... I'm guessing he too will do some time. The house ethics panel could not send him to jail, as they do not have that power. Only a judge can do that.
I'm guessing he will be cooling his heals just like DeLay in a year or so.
Lol, and he may get life in prison for this....while Rangal doesnt even lose his seat hahaha. Oh well, nobody said life was fair eh?
Cancel Christmas.
No, David Walker... (I'm not...)... I really did not have to read any further than the recorded comment by Mr. DeLay (early in the article)... "The criminalization of politics... ...I'm dissappointed at the outcome." !!! Now all of you who love politics - how much more do we need to see? Politics is Criminal behavior. But don't tell me that you do not love politics. I will ask the question again. Where do you think all the politicians come from? (Hint: From, you, the people who love politics.) Where do you think politics starts at? (Hint: With, you, the people who love politics, and think you must have politics to keep living.) [I read the in between part of this comment by Mr. DeLay ("...undermines our very system...") and knew that all of you know exactly what I have wrote above.] Another big HINT: At one time this was Not our System. But for all of the 'politicians' who have become too lazy, spineless (like sponges) and like to beat each other, and everyone else, with someone else's hands and feet, and spy on each other, and everyone else, with someone else's eyes, and gossip about each other, and everyone else, with some other person's mouth; well what do you have but criminal politics; like this Mr. DeLay and whoever and whatever else is to come!
They are probably taking Rangel's age into account, by not putting him in jail. Talk about a checkered past---he seems like a nice guy, but underneath the Armani suits lies another liar, greedy person; serving for 52 years in Politics. The Dems are kind to themselves when presented with criminal activity of one of their fellow members.
Who's next?---
Actually Hawaii Congressman Charlie Rangel holds "THE BRONZE STAR" for heroism in WWII saved 40 men unlike deferment Cheney, Limbaugh, AWOL Bush and the list goes on.
...in other words; almost all of the people in the USA are convicted right along with Tom "the Hammer" DeLay.
It's a good thing I suppose that Mr Delay had that stint on Dancing With The Stars, gives him something to do while doing time. I don't think he'll lead though. LOL
Barbara Adams Jackson:
I do know about Rangel's Bronze Star. What a shame. I know inside Rangel truly means well, but got carried away with all the things that come with a Politician's life. So many grandiose offers, and chances. It is hard to resist, but one must have the control to pass it by. Ethics and Values.
There are over 500 people in Congress. We hear about a few (maybe a dozen or two) that are corrupt or criminally inept. That doesn't mean the other 500 are. I suspect that the majority - maybe even the great majority - are commendable citizens and public servants. Believe it or not, I by and large have faith in most of our elected representatives. Certainly, though, we want to avoid the mistake of judging all by the sins of a few.
OK folks - lemme have it!!!
Keep going! Out them all!!! Repub., Dem, or Tea!
Those guilty should go to prison. They are in very high positions of trust to all the people of the US.
hehe, not gonna let you have it,,,,just going to say you might be a bit naive :) I'll bet my life that there is an "accepted" amount of corruption that regularly goes on with our elected representatives. The ones you hear about just go beyond the pale, or have backstabbed the wrong people. Just a hunch of course.....
Even move reason to boycott and despise "Dancing With The Stars" because they obviously support and glorify treasonous criminals like DeLay and Blago, not to mention momma greazsly's no talent white trash cub.
maybe all the dems under investigation now should be treated likewise. we wouldnt be able to have a quarum for any legislation. also, i am not saying that the punishment is too stiff, but he could get out of prison sooner if hew killed someone.
When you want to make big bucks in this country but you don't want to work real hard to get it, become a politician. Chances are that you will make it without doing jail time.
DeLay and Rangal should have a public duel on the White house lawn.....with muskets!
Cheney's next! Break out the oxygen and wheelchair!
Barbara Adams Jackson Lincoln Obama. Does being awarded the star allow him to cheat on his taxes? My father has a bronze star and I don't remember any IRS agents at the house. I'll ask mom tomorrow after dinner and get back witch ya.
Kornfed, I say let them use their favorite fountain pens.
Stacy - Per the DeLay vs. Rangel comparison, the DeLay case was held in a Texas court to answer charges of breaking Texas laws. Rangel was investigated inside Congress regarding charges of breaking House rules, which may well lead his home state to follow suit based on what was exposed in the House report. It's a "wait and see" for Rangel. He's not out of the woods yet.
Oh come on. Prison? This guy will probably plead guilty to a lesser charge, and do 50 hours of community service. Prison? For a congressman or senator? LOL!
Can you say "Dancing with the Felons"? The "Hammer" needs to be hammered from behind by his future cell mates! Arrogant a$$.
Fair and speedy trial, I love it!
Dang, you libs couldn't wait to bring out the tea party slams. Pull your heads out of your collective arses. They're mostly a bunch of crooks on both sides of the fence.
The big difference is the Repubs get hammered while the Dems get a slap on the wrist. Bad Demmie. Baaaad Demmie. Now pay those back taxes or we have to cancel one of your fund raisers.
Govhater: Mike Easley former NC governorwas just convicted=felony charges for false campaign finance reporting. Just so you know.
Oh yeh, Mike Easley is a DEMOCRAT ex governor. N.C. just convicted for campaign finance fraud.
Face it this guy is going to get a slap on the wrist. He still has his behind the scenes power base. Realize that both Dems and GOP are thieves and people have to see that the laws of this Country will always favor the people that write them-rich lawyers. The truth is this Country is run behind the scenes by the Rockerfellers through their Bank and it's friends. Ever wonder why so many of our political and corporate leaders are skull and bones members?
All politicians are crooked. The major difference here is that Delay may get prison time for trying to help the Party he belongs to, but Rangel (who was strictly being greedy for personal gains) will get nothing.
Rangel should get 20 years and Delay should get the slap on the wrist.
Tom Delay said:
well, if the republicans hadn't started such nonsense by going after Clinton for getting a BJ
Now taking bets on how quickly he'll buy his way out of jail time...
Censure, just like Rangel
Oh wait, what was Kerry's punishment? Um, lets to that...whatever it was
"DeLay has chosen to have Senior Judge Pat Priest sentence him. He faces five years to life in prison on the money laundering charge and two to 20 years on the conspiracy charge. He also would be eligible for probation."
Really? We're allowed to choose the Judge of our choice? This freak will get probation just as sure as we live and breathe.
Let me give our government just one reason to legalize marijuana:
1. So I can pretend that I'm not being screwed by politicians, and their corporate thugs, on a continual daily basis!.
Your greed has made America sick, and no health care policy is going to cure us!
This guy was the king of the in-your-face F-you so this is especially awesome. He loved it and would say the jerkiest things on camera. That a Republican got a guilty verdict in Texas is surprising but that means it must have been really undeniable.
Well, this is good news just in time for turkey day. Delay had best cram himself full of turkey and cranberry sause, as the prison only serves something that "looks" like turkey.
Also, maybe it wasn't a good idea for him to go on DWTS shakin' his "groove thang." I thought that it was the most horrible sight I've ever seen. Now all of the "bubbas" in prison will make him put on a real short tight skirt, with the same kind of hooker red patent leather pumps that Sarah Palin grifted from the RNC... and make him... you guessed it, shake his :groove thang" A-L-L--N-I-G-H-T--L-O-N-G for the rest of his life. Hahahahaha!
It couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.
I hope that they can take some pics and make some movies of Delay "shakin' his groove thang" in pison - his new home for the rest of his life.
WHY wasn't he immediately taken into custody, and made to do the perp walk in front of the news cameras like the criminal that he is. This is a travesty of justice!!
And before the Repub/GOP/Bagger or winger trolls starts talking about Charles Rangel, I believe in "equal opportunity" and do not discrimanate. Whether you're Republican/GOP/Baggers or winders, Democrat, Independent, if you're caught doing dirty, we just need ya to go.
Hey Delay, how is that "most powerful and feared" thang workin' out for ya?! (that's a rhetorical question).
Looks like "Jesus just don't like people with ugly hearts 'n minds." LMAO!
Tom Delay has no moral compass, and has always been way too cocky, and WAS NEVER a servant of the people of this country. HE THOUGHT THAT HE OWNED THIS COUNTRY. So I'm looking forward to the day when the news reports that Tom Delaney is being used as a prison play toy (if you know what I mean!)
LMAO - Way too funny!!
No, umgawa, they all deserve prison time for their greed and corruption. But the best way to start reforming our election/campaign finance system and end this corruption is to join the Popular Amendment movement to petition for the passage of the election/campaign finance reform and term limits constitutional amendments. Go to www.faircampaignreform.us and join in the petition drive. With your help, we can change the way we run our elections and the way campaign financing happens. The amendment would limit personal donations to $200/individual and $500/family residing in the same household. All PAC/corporate/union/non-profit/special interest/et. al. donations and "third party" advertising would be banned and all lobbyists would be banned from Congress. It also puts the power of the elections totally back in the hands of the voters (one man/one vote ruling) by eliminating party conventions for the selection of candidates for any federal office and moving ALL federal primaries to ONE NATIONAL PRIMARY DAY just eight weeks prior to the General Election, with a 60 day filing period prior to the NPD. It also would require every candidate to file a "contract with the voters" as part of that filing petition and that contract would have to spell out the candidate's position on every possible issue that might face that elected office. If any one or more items in that contract are violated, then the voters can take that politician to court for breach of contract.
Term limits would limit each federal office to two terms with a maximum of six total for the three federal offices.
Watch your back in the showers Tommy!
I just don't understand why this sort of thing is still happening. I know, corrupt politicians, it's like an old joke. I understand that there are many rich and powerful men in charge, behind the scenes, that allow this kind of thing to keep happening. So what is it going to take to make serious changes in the way we elect our officials? Why is this such a difficult thing to get done? Can politics be SO corrupt that there is no way to fix it? Short of an all out revolution, what are our choices?
Ideas? Anyone?
Join the Popular Amendment movement Leee and help us get the two constitutional amendments passed. That would be a start towards ending the corruption.
David,
It's good to know to that YOUR side does not have any problems!!!
Put the pipe down and wake up Boy!!
Your are truly a Loser!!
A Right Winger under Bush!! Unfortunately, they didn't go after Bush and Chaney for their war crimes, too. But the enlisted were put in jail for enforcing up the command requirements.
harryhomeowner:
I don't have faith in ANY politician.
The minute an elected official turns their back on us, they do not pay attention to our voices or needs, working for those who elected them, we get scr-------------by them.
Taxes? Embezzling, putting their hands in the cookie jar. Our money. Do you like your hard earned money stolen for the luxury of the Politican? How about putting a lot of money in the Freezer, Like the defamed Jefferson?
He is responsible for the insane redistricting in Texas that cost Democrats seats in Congress. Crook......... I hope they put him away.
Sadly, for the Republican party, I think Tom Delay is the standard, NOT the exception.
Why is it that the Republicans seem bent on dirty politics, anger, untruths, inflammatory statements, anti-gay statements (while having sex in restrooms,) and the chosen determination to block progress in their county for the sake of their politics <Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl>, and religious righteousness, <Sarah Palin> while supporting the OLD guard, the lobbyists, the old DC INboys?
Tom Delay is <sadly> the poster boy for the Republican Party. <Thanks America, for scre*wing us again by giving HIS ORANGENESS John Boehner, the podium. It's ONLY a matter of time before HE goes down too......
History and failure have a way of repeating themselves. The Republicans are GOOD at it......
And who would know better than one convicted of that very criminalization?
Of course he would be - he was caught and convicted. Who would relish that outcome?
Being a Politician is an Equal Employment Opportunity.
No Minimum wage for either Party. "I'm Not a Crook", quoted by the late Pres. Richard M. Nixon--
He was speaking for all of them.
I can't believe it a crooked Republican? Its only a matter of time Boehner!!!! Yes there are crooks on both sides but the right have way more!!!!
The article said Mr. Delay "chose" the Judge who will sentence him.........what's with that?..................I mean, it is obvious Mr. Delay has many friends in high places...................seems strange when the person convicted of a crime gets to pick his/her sentencing Judge.....do you think that your ordinary garden variety poor criminal would get the same option?
Bet he thought he was bullet proof...................nice to see another criminal reap the rewards of his hard illegal efforts................
next.
Finally some of the PNAC & Abramof/Scanlon Gang get nailed.... Took long enough!..
Money Laundering no less. Now lets get those laws passed stopping PAC to PAC transfers, that these guys callously used to corrupt our government.
Time to go see "Casino Jack and the United States of Money" again..!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1540814/combined
Oh and those of you comparing Delay's premeditated "Money Laundering", to Rangel missing some things on his tax returns, have a skewed sense of justice.
Has nothing to do with parties, has to do with "politics in America" = CROOKS, one down, now, go get the rest!
OK david
Now lets see if te dems have enoght cajones to do the same to that scum ball Rangel
funny thing is as all you dems/libs salivate over this like a bunch of irrational hypocrite partisan hacks:
what delay did pales in comparison to the charges that could/should be brought up against your queen; pelosi. foremost, the channeling of business to her husband and the bypassing of regulations so his company could have windfall profits.
her reckoining to follow!
[The criminalization of politics undermines our very system and I'm very disappointed in the outcome]
No, Politicians who act in manners which are criminal undermine our very system!
Charlie Rangel used his office stationery for public business and was mistaken about his taxes and owes more money than he paid. He will be paying extra cash penalties to the IRS. Have you ever made a mistake on a tax form?
Tom Delay, on the other hand, disenfranchised Texas Democrat voters.
Do you see the difference?
Why is it a contest on who has more crooks in either party?
The fact stands, that we are not getting effective service from our Poltiicians. There is no sincere Watchdog over them. Why not?----they are "draining" the public without any remorse.
A Politician in the process of being elected has to be backed up by HUGE money these days. For the money supporters who know their "guy" or woman has flaws in the $$$ stealing department; they are just as guilty.
Money backers know the persona of who they are getting into office. It is symbolism to them, also making them part of the inner circle, getting to events and parties at the WH, villas in other countries, and free luxurious vacations flown by private jets.
obviously you mean just like the conservatives were crowing and salivating over Rangel? clearly, you are no stranger to hypocrisy yourself david
which is so far a house ethics violation, and not yet a criminal investigation, whether the censure leads to criminal charges remains to be seen.
does it? do you have any hard evidence that any laws were broken? or just lying e-mails campaigns?
OK, let me get this straight - we have a guy who is in violation of ethics and other issues, and he is basically censured, and Democrats who DO NOT PAY THEIR TAXES in the Cabinent (or paid them but without the huge penalties for nonpayment that we wouldn't get out of paying if we pulled the same stunt)...
BUT Delay is possibly going to be sentenced to life for money laundering for political candidates?
Note, the censured fellow is a Democrat, the laundering is a Republican.
Now, I know and understand that Delay was tried in Texas, but it says a lot when you think about it.
I did think about what you said and it was dumb and lacks merit.
It says that Delay was that much more crooked. The other people you mentioned had ethics violations or transgressions that required penalties. None of them were criminal violations. That doesn't mean that Democrats can't be naughty; only that I see no double standard.
These are state court convictions, not federal. The alleged crimes you complained of are federal.
By a Jury if his peers
I think the number of Congressional Representative guilty of this type of crime is equal on both sides of the aisle. Rep. James Traficant was released from jail on equal or greater charges..
You are so right. Ronnie Earle is very happy now. He's such an A**hole and he couldn't stand that he was just a local yokel and Delay was in Washington. Someday soon Ole Earle is going to get his....................
You are exactly right Mel, but look at these starving sheep graze!!! Their eyes glaze over like a shark attacking prey, no sense in trying to be logical in this, their moment of glory hahah.
Probably a forgotten fact in this story is the Democrat DA had to convene, correct me if I am wrong, like 12 grand jury's before he could get one sympathetic to his cause to get the indictment.
Look at the crooks in office now, Tim Geitner -D forgot?? to pay taxes even though he was sent quarterly statements. John Kerry -D buys a 7 million dollar yacht parks it in Rhode Island to avoid paying the taxes in Ma. Charlie Rangle -D mister I'm from the bronx and a minority so I only get censured. William Jefferson -D I keep 90 thousand dollars in my freezer during hurricanes. ( draw your own conclusions on this one)
Point is there is a definite double standard when it comes to ethics and how they are dealt with Democrat corruption gets swept aside while Republicans go to trial.
Mel it was the Texas law that Delay broke, actually if every state had that law in place it would settle the last fiasco wrought on us by the Robert's court of corporations funneling money to candidates
garcher
I could explain some of it to you........but doubt if you can comprehend..
1. William Jefferson has been brought up on Federal Charges - but why not give him the 5 years to go to trial that Tom Delay had.
2. now this will be tough for you - Charlie Rangle cannot be sentenced to prison by the House Ethics Committee - I know you just don't get it - But the House has no authority to try, convict and sentence anyone...
Now Mr Delay had charges brought against him in 2005 in Texas - he resigned his leadership role and did not run again in 2006 - thus no ethics committee appearance...
It is hard at times to believe how absolutely uninformed you on the "right" are - until you put your words down in a post.....then you prove you are dumber then one thinks!
Barbara, Rangel does not represent the state of Hawaii. He's from New Yorki.
Mell, Google Mr. DeLay and take your time reading all about his shenannigans. Money laundering wouldn't even start it.
Um Jock - not paying your taxes is a CRIMINAL offense - sometimes getting jail time as well as penalties, especially when that long.
Huskers - you are right; however, it should scare you to know that they're getting away practically with murder (trust me, we wouldn't get a grace to repay our taxes like some of these Cabinent members did) on the federal level.
I agree that if people had the same laws that we do in Texas we'd have less issues long term in our government. The state Congress in Texas has a challenge next session to get out of red (They have to by state Constitution have a balanced budget), but they'll do it faster because they don't allow nonsense like DeLay's stuff.
And frankly, sanity? - the fact you say one sentence and not why I'm supposedly wrong shows that your comment lacks a whole lot more merit.
You must not read any of your colleague's posts
Hey Husker! I thought huskers loved Osborne? Whats up with that black shirt? There is only one thing more prevalent in your state than corn. Nuclear missle silos. Maybe that is why I like Nebraska so much. You guys rock!
All you defenders of Delay who throw up Democrats such as Rangel and Geithner overlook one thing. Their level of arrogance isn't even on the scale when compared to Delay. His attitude, commentary, and demeanor contributed to his conviction. A bit of humility goes a long way. But Delay will never serve a day. All those hardline conservative Republican appellate judges in Texas owe their robes to The Hammer.
As a moderate Democrat I'm not sure I disagree with the opinion regarding the mere censure of our recent corrupt Congressman. If he is truly guilty he should be tried. I agree it should be equial punishment, just not on the light side. I don't really know if there are substantial differences between the cases but I totally agree with the post in principle.
How frightening, though, is Delay's comment re: the criminalization of politics. He's right, that is incredibly disturbing! Unfortunately he means that illegal activity should be permitted. I think it's a shame that criminal activity is accepted up to the point where it can't be hidden. I'm disgusted by both sides of the aisle.
This strikes me as one of those situations where "legal advisors" may have steered the guy wrong. Delay didn't personally profit from any of this. It's not like he kept the money. Here's the way this went down. The law forbids corporate donations to candidates. So the PAC collected donations, and gave them to the RNC. The RNC gave a separate set of donations - collected from private donors - to the Texan Republican candidates, in like amounts.
From a purely technical perspective, if they can show that the money was sent to the RNC and placed in one account, and then sent to the Texan candidates from a separate account, it's not the same money. If that money came from private donors, it's an arguably legal action. The ethics of it are pretty vague, depending on your world view.
Delay lost this round. I suspect he has a pretty good chance on appeal. This is one of those unfortunately common situations when the law has a grey area that it potentially open to exploitation. The legal issues are also thorny. If Delay loses his appeal, you can bet that there will be further prosecutions, some of Democrats, that might run afoul of the law purely unintentionally.
--rorschach
so. rorschach, what you're saying is that a druglord in Mexico can legally transfer money to a corporation in Texas, and then have the same amount of money sent by that corporation to the druglord's right-hand man back in Mexico, and no money laundering took place?
Man, I am in the wrong line of work!
I'm not quite sure where everybody on this board commenting about tax evasion got their law/accounting degrees but they clearly haven't read up on the law lately.....
95% of corporations that underpay tax (a yearly occurance) have no consequences except for the interest on the underpayment. Penalties might be assessed but they are almost always abated. Unless there is significant provable intent to defraud the government of the funds, there is no crime. Crime implies intent or criminal negligence, not stupidity....
Rangel is being censured for things that are NOT crimes. They are "ethics violations" based upon the rules of Congress. One of the "worst" violations was using a personal home/apartment for a campaign headquarters. Really....
The thing with Delay is that he thought he could get aruond the rules. This has more to do with the fact that he said F U to the law instead of very easily working around it avoid the crime. He always acted as if he was above the law because he had a hand in writing them. And now he'll go to jail for breaking the law...which I think he clearly did.
Actually, for those implying that I am defending Delay, I'm not. I find what he did atrocious.
I do find it rather interesting though we have people committing federal crimes who are getting nothing more than a slap on the wrist and are in our cabinent, but Texas they don't. Doesn't anyone actually THINK that there's something wrong with this?
(BTW, I must have a very valid point if they collapsed this - I really don't get why it was collapsed due to my comments.)
"This is an abuse of power." - And he should know!
1] Regarding the Tom DeLaY VSCharley Rangel issue raised repeatedly in this thread, the righties moaning about Rangel need to understand that he was just on trial in the House, not in criminal court. He can still be tried in criminal court and the House does not have the power to send anyone to prison. Once again, you'd be well off to actually read the Constitution, not just wave it around in the air as you prance about in your Colonial Drag outfits.
2] Delay will just get his wrist slapped cuz those guys never get any real punishment? Tell it to Dan Rostenkowski who went from Speaker to Prisoner. And uh huh, he was a Dem. Corruption doesn't respect party lines.
3] I'd like to see the Powers That Be in the Repubs reviewing how they were acting as DeLays lapdogs eight years or so ago. Yeah Boehnor, I'm talking to you.
tbart
finally something smart. thank you
I've been watching what the congress has done to Democrats guilty of much worse than what Tom Delay did and all they got was a slap on the hand or less. This makes me wonder if this prosecution was nothing more than a Kangaroo Court.
There seems to be a double standard in Washington and in the press that is very disturbing.
The constitution says we must have "equal rights under the law" but it doesn't seem that way in congressional matters.
Some examples would provide credibility. You are dismissed and may sit down.
Creep deserves it. He a'int smiling now is he. He'll appeal and drag it out a couple more years. What a waste of time and money. Put his creepy @** in the pen for good.
Now if we can bring justice to the current administration gestopo tactics we as a people will make some real progress in getting our county back.
Trader
Please name the exact law(s) that have been broken. By who? when? Facts only please not media talking points.
Also please define the Gestapo talking point in facts
You mean FOXNEWS talking points, or Glen "the Flem Flam Man" Beck Talking points?
"Gestapo" is Fox-speak for "peoiple who are doing things I don't like and therefore must be illegal somehow."
I Know
I was wondering if trader could actually back up the rant wth at least one fact. Yes Still waiting. LOL
That people take Fox commentary, Rush commentary, Beck commentary and Hannity commentary as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but, is frightening. Even MSNBC comentary. People need to be informed from more unbiased sources, hear both sides. And here's an idea read a book! Research it and have your own opionion based on fact, not someone elses.
I'm sorry Trader that your precious Republican got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Interesting though that when Democrat Charles Rangel got nailed, you were dancing in the streets. Now when a Republican gets caught, somehow it's all back on Obama's shoulders.
As stated above, DeLay was trying to help his party, and yes it was illegal. He got caught.
Rangel was caught screwing YOU, the tax payer, for personal gain only.
Rangel should get 20 years and DeLay should get a slap on the wrist.
Umgawa,
You have no idea what you're talking about. Underpaying on your taxes is not a criminal act unless you can prove intent. Its estimated that more than 50% of taxpayers in America (mostly corps.) underpay their taxes either inadverently or on purpose. Rangel's only crime is being stupid. Delay purposely ignored a law that he could have easily avoided. I think Delay being spiteful of what he's done is worse. Of course if you weren't a dyed in the wool Republican you'd probably agreed. If a republican of Delay's history can get convicted in Texas than you know he did something henious....
He'll walk ,nothing will be done , he'll apeal it and walk with a full pension and all the perks.
Well, at least I got to enjoy reading the story...You're very likely correct harrykid. :(
Harry, Linked, Gordy - Like I said above, you might want to have a chat with Dan Rostenkowski. He won't get life, but I'm betting he does hear that steel door shut behind him.
Good how much longer are the people going to sit around if this past election did not show the crooks then putting them in jail will. I lost a very good job due to a lier which is not much different then a crook, if we start demanding they get jail time things will change in a few years we will have a country to be proud of again
Get ready for a repeat. We now have a Republican House of Representatives who sold their souls to corporate greed.
Unfortunatley, HuskersLoveBo, the SCOTUS has fixed things so now it's legal to do what Delay was convicted on. I remember something about an orphanage he used for laundering some of the money. I wonder what became of that little scam. I don't blame DeLay, he was an exterminator before becoming a congressman; the toxic chehmicals probably destroyed his brain and made him terminally corrupt. Not sure what the excuse is for the SCOTUS.
LOL,or voted the closet Commies out of office.Depends on your point of view.
Excuse me, but ol' Tommie boy was not your average House member.
Excuse me Don how is the SCOTUS relevant to this discussion?
Most of the TPers belong in prison right now for sedition, if not Treason! But that won't happen either!
DeLay was convicted by a jury of his peers, in Texas, which is primarily a Republican State, if they are willing to do it, I don't see why anyone should be whining about it.
G.H.,
You can't be serious. Any opposition to your point of view is sedicious? Let's just recind the whole first amendment so no contrary views can be voiced.
I may not like what others have to opine but I will not be party to silencing their voice.
In other words GFY!
Liars...
Please let us all know your thoughts on whether the first amendment covers those who believe they should be allowed to "take back their government by force" and "use my gun to vote"?
This NEW form of conservative and stir in a little teapots, add in the chamber of commerce, and you now have Tom Delay 2.0
Just one more reason we should vote OUT all incumbents. I don't care what party they are. These long time office holders have been let run wild. It's time to show them we are sick of this crap and vote them out. That is the only thing we can do. And if the ones we allow to hold office start this same crap, vote them out. It is all we as a people can do. So stop re-electing these old crooks and do some real changing. We changed Presidents, and got a bad one again. So we will vote him out. Stop believing these liars. Wake up Amreica............ Who is running this Country ?
Hey, I've got an idea. Let's vote out the bad ones and keep the good ones. That way the country will be run by thinking people, rather than knee-jerk emotional reactions.
Obama's mess, excuse me we are still mired in GWB's mess.
I feel your outrage Harlan but the next Speaker (Boner) once passed out lobbyists checks on the House floor right before a vote on a bill. You think he's bought and paid for? All politicians talk about America first, your children and grandchildren's future but who do they listen to? The SCOTUS just made it even harder to vote these people out with that unlimited money raising decision. I want us to vote for us and finally allow publicly financed elections. No outside money allowed and small donations only by registered voters.
Stop blaming PRESIDENT OBAMA for for all the b***s*** that is in Washington it was there when he was elected. You're mad that a black man had the intelligence to finally get to the highest office in the land and free world. You want a a good ole boy or a backwoods girl (PALIN) to get in the office for 'business as usual' well let me be the first to burst your bubble. So Don now would be the time to just hang your self.
Don- more koolaid, quick...
Vote them out and put in who? Certainly not T.P. ers. While the Tea Party base might be good ,honest and concerned citizens the leadership is very questionable?
I concur that there is an absolute need for Term Limits, whether mandated or voter enforced. Both would be nice, ideal, because if the limit is 2 that will give us voters the chance to review the deeds of the incumbent and measure them against the yardstick of the will of the constituents. Alas when the 2nd term has come, then we will be well prepared for the rapine and plunder that the elected official perceives as their due for services rendered.
Transparency in government would also be ideal. I suggest the easiest way to achieve it is not to expect it from the politicians themselves because the nature of the Game and the mental capacity of the politicians, rightly, in their worldview, hold Transparency to be pariah! Transparency is required in the sight of the voter. I would pray that with the soundbite size attention span of the voter could be set aside for some brief, real, reading. I would suggest Goldsworthy's treatment of Caesar. Read that and you will be amazed just how transparent Politicians become! Peace!
The real problem is that most voters are so fickle and uneducated in politics that they can't be trusted to vote for the candidate that is truly honest and trustworthy, or they just can't recognize that all politicians are corrupt and only in the game for their own power and greed. Just look at how every single incumbent has increased his/her wealth while in office (on their $174,000-$223,500 annual salary.) From http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/ss/Wealthiest-Members-of-Congress.htm
Notice that in this list of the top ten wealthiest, the wealth goes up as you go down the list and the biggest spread in the value of their wealth in their financial disclosure are the last two. I wonder how they come up with such wide spreads from the low to the high of their net worth. Anyone else wonder how they have made that money and how their net worth has gone up 16% during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression? It couldn't have all been from the volatile stock market. So that means a lot of it must have come from the greed and corruption tied to their benefactors, the great American/multi-national corporations, right?
Thank you for posting this. Very interesting.
patA, that is one reason I'm supporting the Popular Amendment movement. I live in the USVI, where we have no vote for the President, NO representation in the Senate, and only a voting voice in whatever committee(s) our Delegate in the House can get appointed to. He/she has NO voice or vote on the floor. Yet we are affected by every action that Congress takes, often even more so because our Medicare benefits, etc. are less than what I would get if I still lived in OH or anywhere else "stateside." We still pay the same FICA tax rate as everyone else, but get fewer benefits. And before anyone criticizes me for living here, I moved here for my health. The older I got, the less my body could tolerate constantly changing temperatures. 51 years in NW OH were 51 years too many. I've been here in St. Croix now for 15 years and plan to stay here unless things get much worse in the good ole USA or until I can save up the money to move. Then, it'll be off to Panama, one of the few places in the world where we seniors on SS can still survive on our meager income.
LIFE! LOL
About friggen time!
Our PA state senator just got indicted also. He was a Dem. Sounds like they all should be indicated. They all do it!!
Indicted--not convicted as Delay was
Janie Orie is Republican and so is her sister, Judge Joan Orie.
They're both going down!
Yes they are both women and both republicans you should check your facts before you post
It sounds like the Judge should have been indicted along with her two sisters, Jane and Janine. Judges are going down right and left throughout the country for misdeeds in office or in election campaigns. We need to clean house from every single local office through every federal office and take them all to court. The problem is that it is questionable how many of the prosecutors are clean and how many are also on the take. Who's going to prosecute the prosecutors?
Very happy about this!!!
Creep deserves it. He a'int smilin now is he. He'll appeal and drag this out a couple more years. What a giant wast of time and money. Put his sorry @** in the pen and forget it.
Democrat, Republican, Independent, I don't care, all politicians need to be held accountable and I am glad to see that Tom Delay is not getting a pass. I hope they all start ratting each other out, if they are not playing by the rules they need to be punished, period.
Every time someone gets called out they cry "politics". Sorry Delay, I don't buy it, besides who is going to bring it out, certainly not a fellow republican. If you got dirt on some democrats lets lynch them too, you are all the same to me.
Jail then all. If they choose politics they should be above illegal actions and those that break the law should be considered Traitors and tried for treason
So... jail for torture??
hey doug -- lighten up. The whole world isn't that bad.
One down and so many,many more to go. I'm sure he'll find a nice dance partner where he's going.
The amount of representatives and senators engaging in illegal practice is unbelievable. If they don't fly straight, then who will?
Teabaggers?
Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters are both being tried by the House and both are Democrats.
Rangel was tried and all he got was censured, he is the one who should be in jail for life and have forfeit all the money he's hoarded illeagellly.
Duke Cunningham (R-CA)
Most notable was California Congressman Duke Cunningham who pled guilty to receiving over $2.3 million in bribes.
DEEELAY is the very personification of human waste. He's a liar with a long pathetic republican history. This will be a great test of justice in this country. If this bastard walks, then we know without exception, justice is dead in this ragbag country
abuse of power once again! sorry about yur luck bud. LIFE? atleast 5yrs
No likely probation only for this creep. He was an undertaker before he took us all. Maybe a stint on Walking Dead during his uh 'probation.'
Undertaker?
I thought he was an exterminator? You know, a bug guy.
Ha ha! I hope the bug guy gets buggered!
Creep deserves it. He's a crook. Always has been. He aint smilin now is he. He'll appeal and drag it a couple more years. What a giant waste of time. Put his sorry @** in the pen and forget him.
U can Only imagine... since the Republians took the house back... this CRAP would come up...only a DEMOCRAP. would stup so loooooow...
Who's going to be DeLay now? Tom, meet Bubba! Bubba's got something he wants to show you...
Good I dea that is why we all should demand term limits Vote them out after three terms. south carolina just got rid of a congress joke that had not done but three things of mention in 29 years is all a joke after three terms, hay three strikes you are out ha ha
I disagree on the term limts. I live in Hawaii. The only way small states get ANYTHING for the federal budget is to have their representatives gain power through seniority.
smaller government with less spending and more state money could just stay in the state and not have to be doled out by washington. i live in the rural midwest and am tired of my tax dollars bailing out NY and Cal.
...good, throw him in jail for 25 yrs minimum, doesn't metter if there is an (R) or a (D) behind a politician's name, if corrupt convict them.
...Rangel should occupy the cell next to his...
...but wait, when reps get caught, they get voted out...when dems get caught they get reelected...
He was never voted out of office, he had to resigned after he was charged.
I think you got that backwards. The names Bush Cheney come to mind?
I know, honest mistake.
Better yet! Resigning was the admirable thing to do! Did you here that Charlie, Maxine?
How is it admirable to commit a crime and then try to quit your job before you get your dirty deeds brought into the lime light?
I agree with last sentence of yours, so true.................ComradeChoas
getthefacts said-
Niether Charlie or Maxine are being charged with a crime. They are charged with ethics violations. Money laundering is a felony. On the other hand, John Ensign (R-Nevada) had sex with a coworker, then fired her and her husband, and then had his parents pay them $90K to shut up about it. He will be charged with bribery, a felony. He's still in office. Then there was that guy Sanford the previous Rep gov of N. Carolina. He flew to Argentina to meet his lover (cheat on his wife), and chaged it to you and me. That's also a crime.
Before you make comparisons gethtefacts, perhaps you should get the facts.
ComradeChaos said-
As I indicated above. DeLay has been convicted of a Felony. Rangel was found guilty of ethics violations. Morally, perhaps not so different, but legally they are very different.
You obviously know nothing about Arizona politics.
As stated above, DeLay was trying to help his party, and yes it was illegal. He got caught.
Rangel was caught screwing YOU, the tax payer, for personal gain only.
Rangel should get 20 years and DeLay should get a slap on the wrist.
When I first viewed this article 15 minutes ago there were 256 comments posted, mostly negative about DeLay. When I returned to reread it, there were no longer any comments. Shouldn't someone be asking why all these legitimate comments were removed from this website? Whatever happened to freedom of speech?
double-life sentance / No parole