Re: Tom Delay

Re: Tom Delay

Our government is rife with corruption and there seems to be no way of stopping it from getting worse.  Our elected representatives, in both houses of Congress, are beholden to corporate interests and no longer even make much effort to hide where their interests truly lie.  All one needs to do is look at examples of recent proposed legislation such as Sen. Hatch's "Inducement Act", a piece of legislation which, when adopted, will further strip Americans of their former rights under copyright law; the proposal to make requirements for driver's licenses uniform across all states is a direct affront to civil liberties and is being driven by the new "anti-terrorism/industrial complex", which sees an opportunity to more closely control Americans and make a profit at the same time; the DMCA and other recent changes to copyright laws have been passed solely to benefit corporations and limit competition; the U.S. Patent Office's willingness to grant patents on business processes and software algorithms benefits only corporations with a vested interest in maintaining their market positions and limit competition.  The list goes on, but one gets the idea.

Our only hope to stem this trend lies with the courts.  However, given the amount of time that it can take to come to a final decision in any legal dispute the damage done by legislation such as the examples above may be irreversible.  Untile average American wakes up and realizes that their civil liberties are being eroded at a rapid rate and takes steps to limit the power of government and corporations the situation will only get worse.  I don't hold much hope of that happening.

Just my $.02,
Ron

"The legitimate powers of government extend only to such acts as are injurious to others." Thomas Jefferson

Re: Delay Trip

that the trip was taken on August 25, 2001 and that the Korean-US Exchange council registered as a foreign agent on August 22, 2001.

"purpose of the trip is spelled out in documents filed with the Justice Department by the Alexander Strategy Group, a firm created by former DeLay chief of staff Ed Buckham that boasts dozens of large corporations and trade associations among its clients. Buckham is close to DeLay, and associates of both men say that DeLay agrees to meetings with corporate officials on Buckham's recommendation."

" An aide to DeLay who asked not to be named said DeLay staff members had general discussions about the trip with the ethics committee before leaving and received verbal approval."

"A statement dated Tuesday issued by the Korean-U.S. Exchange Council, and signed by Edward Stewart, who works for Buckham's firm, said that...
"Members were not told that the organization had registered," the statement said, adding that the group was "unaware that this could change the status of the trip.""

Believe what you wish.  I am not buying that former DeLay aide, Ed Buckham, a founder of a private influence peddling firm, was unaware that:

1) his client was registered as a foreign agent, or planning to register ahead of August 22, 2001 OR  

2)registering as a foreign agent would prohibit the Koreans from sponsoring a trip for a member of the House.

Buckham is a former aide to a member of the house and thus is very aware of the House rules on ethics.  As a professional holding himself out as knowledgeable in the practice of lobbying the Congress, Buckham is under a duty to his client to inform them of any regulations regarding their lobbying activity - especially w/ regard to foreign entities which they clearly are.

DeLay pleads that ignorance should excuse him from any disregard in the matter.  

1) That is sad excuse for the Republican leader of the House.  This is not forgetting your 6th grade homework.  This is following the minimum conduct expected of elected representatives.  DeLay should have asked whether the Koreans were registered - a lawyer might say he was on inquiry notice to do so from the fact that this is a business funded entity seeking special access to legislators.  Hey, maybe they are an agent of a foreign government or political party - maybe we should check.

2) DeLay claims he had no way of knowing the Koreans were registered.  Isn't there something in the article about a Justice Department database?  Maybe DeLay doesn't have a phone or internet access.  Why should anyone expect him to ask if a Korean business funded entity is registered as a foreing agent before accepting a $100k dollar vacation from them?  

I mean, everyone knows that politicians are under no duty to actually put effort into complying w/ the law.  That would put them in the same position as doctors, lawyers, contractors, electricians, teachers, accountants and every other profession on the planet.

Re: Delay Trip

Re: Tom Delay and the location of his morals

Re: Tom DeLay