congressional corruption

utaherrn · February 27, 2006, 06:56 PM

here's the link
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=1667009&page=1

For a start, let's not get into the political affiliation of those involved. There's plenty of scum on both sides of the aisle to fill several septic tanks, so forget that issue and stick to the point which is.......

I am just wondering why the "briber" faces 20 years and the "bribee" only faces 10 years. What's wrong with this picture?
Shouldn't the corrupt congressman face more time because of betrayal of the public trust, malfeasance in office, being a pompous dumba$$, etc?

Fal 4 Me · February 27, 2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Shouldn't the corrupt congressman face more time because of betrayal of the public trust, malfeasance in office, being a pompous dumba$$, etc?

+1

I've thought about this kind of thing myself on more than one occasion. Personally I think if a congressman gets caught taking a bribe they should face a mandatory minimum of at least 30 years.

utaherrn · February 27, 2006, 07:27 PM

maybe I just have a simple minded idea of right and wrong and justice.

30 years sounds about right.........and a swift kick in the scrotum

daily

for 30 years

fisherman66 · February 27, 2006, 07:52 PM

Depending on the nature of the corruption (pilforing the coffers), I'd call it Treason; and penalty in accord.

garand_shooter · February 27, 2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

and a swift kick in the scrotum

With steel tipped boots!

BigFunWMU · February 28, 2006, 02:37 AM

Steel tipped does sounds even less friendly than steel toes!

Kinda sharp sounding.....

It wouldn't be too bad to seem them in a "federal pound-me-in-the-a$$ prison" with the general population, and lose all those nice lifetime congressional benefits....

Yay for Office Space.....

MicroBalrog · February 28, 2006, 04:59 AM

Look at the bright side.

At least they are not quite as corrupt as they are here in Israel.

#18indycolts · February 28, 2006, 06:15 AM

corruption in politics? I thought they were joking about that.

Robert J McElwain · February 28, 2006, 09:50 AM

But isn't it comforting to know we have the best politicians corporate America can buy?:barf:

Bob

Don H · February 28, 2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Shouldn't the corrupt congressman face more time because of betrayal of the public trust, malfeasance in office, being a pompous dumba$$, etc?

Since congressmen make the laws, I'm surprised the penalty is as stiff as it is. They DO consider this to be normal behavior, you know!

Robert J McElwain · February 28, 2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Since congressmen make the laws, I'm surprised the penalty is as stiff as it is. They DO consider this to be normal behavior, you know!

And it should surprise no one that most laws that are written have a very distinct clause in just about everyone of them exempting Congress and many government agencies from them.

For example, Congress is exempt from most of the laws dealing with racism and sexual harassment. Big surprise!!!

Bob

JerryM · February 28, 2006, 06:07 PM

Those entrusted with making or enforcing laws must be held to the highest standards. I would make the analogy of a pastor being above reproach. They must be held to the highest standards if they are to preach to others.

A congressman who takes bribes should serve a long stint in prison. I am not talking about some of the laws involving campaign finance. Those seem to be full of holes, and should be tightened.

But when congressmen take long vacations paid for by companies or those who will seek favors in legislation, or when they take money like Duke Cunningham, they need to go to jail period.

Jerry

Ruger4570 · February 28, 2006, 08:12 PM

Jerry I agree with you totally.. the problem is they have the power and seldom pay for what they do. Teddy Kennedy is a good example for one.

JerryM · February 28, 2006, 08:24 PM

Ruger4570,
Too true. If Ted Kennedy had been someone like you or me he would have been in jail. Instead the people of Mass continue to worship him and that bunch of reprobates.

Wish I could stop "beating around the bush" and say it outright.

Added,
What really hurts regarding Cunningham is that as a career soldier, I have found the honor of military officers higher than any other profession. That includes preachers. I know that the budget process and congress has often been a game of asking too much and hoping that when it is cut you get what you really need. But when one gives his word that is a trust that only he can break. Someone or something can take all I have in this world, except my moral integrity/honor. I have to give that up.

But if I were to ask a serious question and get an answer or someone told me they would do something I would trust a military officer of top NCO above anyone else. So Duke shocks me and leaves me saddened that such a fine career could wind up this way.

Jerry

February 27, 2006, 07:27 PM	#3
utaherrn Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2005 Location: Happy Valley, USA Posts: 649	maybe I just have a simple minded idea of right and wrong and justice. 30 years sounds about right.........and a swift kick in the scrotum daily for 30 years __________________ Bash 'em in the head, that seems to work out!

February 28, 2006, 02:37 AM	#6
BigFunWMU Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Posts: 304	Steel tipped does sounds even less friendly than steel toes! Kinda sharp sounding..... It wouldn't be too bad to seem them in a "federal pound-me-in-the-a$$ prison" with the general population, and lose all those nice lifetime congressional benefits.... Yay for Office Space..... __________________ "Anarchism is founded on the observation that since few men are wise enough to rule themselves, even fewer are wise enough to rule others." - Edward Abbey

February 28, 2006, 04:59 AM	#7
MicroBalrog Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2002 Posts: 1,165	Look at the bright side. At least they are not quite as corrupt as they are here in Israel. __________________ NFAOA Repeal 922(o)!

February 28, 2006, 09:50 AM	#9
Robert J McElwain Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 241	But isn't it comforting to know we have the best politicians corporate America can buy?:barf: Bob __________________ Robert J. McElwain "The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." ~Thomas Jefferson

February 28, 2006, 06:07 PM	#12
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	Those entrusted with making or enforcing laws must be held to the highest standards. I would make the analogy of a pastor being above reproach. They must be held to the highest standards if they are to preach to others. A congressman who takes bribes should serve a long stint in prison. I am not talking about some of the laws involving campaign finance. Those seem to be full of holes, and should be tightened. But when congressmen take long vacations paid for by companies or those who will seek favors in legislation, or when they take money like Duke Cunningham, they need to go to jail period. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

February 27, 2006, 06:56 PM	#1
utaherrn Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2005 Location: Happy Valley, USA Posts: 649	congressional corruption here's the link http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=1667009&page=1 For a start, let's not get into the political affiliation of those involved. There's plenty of scum on both sides of the aisle to fill several septic tanks, so forget that issue and stick to the point which is....... I am just wondering why the "briber" faces 20 years and the "bribee" only faces 10 years. What's wrong with this picture? Shouldn't the corrupt congressman face more time because of betrayal of the public trust, malfeasance in office, being a pompous dumba$$, etc? __________________ Bash 'em in the head, that seems to work out!

February 27, 2006, 07:52 PM	#4
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	Depending on the nature of the corruption (pilforing the coffers), I'd call it Treason; and penalty in accord.

February 28, 2006, 06:15 AM	#8
#18indycolts Junior member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Indpls Posts: 1,159	corruption in politics? I thought they were joking about that.

February 28, 2006, 08:12 PM	#13
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Jerry I agree with you totally.. the problem is they have the power and seldom pay for what they do. Teddy Kennedy is a good example for one.

February 28, 2006, 08:24 PM	#14
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	Ruger4570, Too true. If Ted Kennedy had been someone like you or me he would have been in jail. Instead the people of Mass continue to worship him and that bunch of reprobates. Wish I could stop "beating around the bush" and say it outright. Added, What really hurts regarding Cunningham is that as a career soldier, I have found the honor of military officers higher than any other profession. That includes preachers. I know that the budget process and congress has often been a game of asking too much and hoping that when it is cut you get what you really need. But when one gives his word that is a trust that only he can break. Someone or something can take all I have in this world, except my moral integrity/honor. I have to give that up. But if I were to ask a serious question and get an answer or someone told me they would do something I would trust a military officer of top NCO above anyone else. So Duke shocks me and leaves me saddened that such a fine career could wind up this way. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.