Republican party full of scandals
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Drew Robert Winter
Those who know me know I despise the American political system. That’s why I love Republicans.
No single group has undermined the credibility of the narrow-minded, partisan government more than the post-millennium Republicans. Maybe when President Bush vowed to restore honor and dignity to the White House, what he meant was committing enough heinous acts to drive the monopolized two-party legislature into the ground. I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of the less recognized participants in the party, whose collective action will finally make both parties the way the country needs them: gone.
This week’s indictment of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens is the tip of the iceberg. Stevens failed to report more than $250,000 in gifts, including home renovations and a Land Rover, from the large Alaska oil field contractor VECO Corp.
Stevens is just the latest in a long and proud lineage of Republicans accepting bribes, particularly from defense and oil contractors.
The undisputed champion of Congressional corruption is Randy “Duke” Cunningham. The California congressman pled guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion in November 2005 after accepting millions in bribes, including cars, prostitutes, and trips in private jets. Cunningham earned the gifts by pressing more than $150 million in defense contracts. That kind of corruption takes a special kind of person.
Former House Republican majority leader Tom DeLay employed a multi-pronged approach to scumbagism; he was indicted for laundering federal campaign contributions and also took bribes from a much bigger criminal, Jack Abramoff. DeLay killed bills to help clients of Abramoff’s all-Republican lobbying firm. One of the most hypocritical incidents was the blocking of legislation that would have banned sex shops and sweatshops in the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, in return for an Abramoff-funded family vacation there.
Human rights activists testified that the largely immigrant population was working 12-hour days for half of U.S. minimum wage and was kept behind barbed wire in shacks. DeLay, a devout Christian, called the island “a perfect petri dish of capitalism.”
Abramoff’s commitment to corruption seemed to know no bounds, and his reach touched many other heavy political players. Among them, former Ohio congressman and chairman of the House Administration Committee, Bob “Freedom Fries” Ney. Like Abramoff’s many other legislative puppets, Ney received all the same lavish gifts: expensive dinners, parties at the MCI skybox, and a $100,000 golf outing in Scotland.
Abramoff’s connection in the Senate was Conrad Burns of Montana, also the former chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior. “Every appropriation we wanted from Sen. Conrad Burns’ Committee, we got,” Abramoff told Vanity Fair in 2006. Burns received around $150,000 for his efforts. You may be thinking that these Republicans are incredibly easy to buy. But not everything in their culture of corruption is about money. A lot is about sex, too.
Idaho Sen. Larry Craig sputtered a number of weak defenses for his alleged attempt at a homosexual bathroom romp with an undercover police officer in the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. After initially pleading guilty, Craig said he only did so under pressure from an Idaho newspaper. Craig helped enact the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy, opposed gay marriage, and opposed a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Many other prominent political figures belong here, including more than a few Democrats. But, like most things the Democrats do, even their scandals are mired in mediocrity.
If Democrats want to do their part in reshaping the political system, they’re going to have to start sabotaging their party’s integrity in greater numbers. Hint: former Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove is a free agent.
Those of us fighting for new politicians and systems devoid of such greed, hypocrisy and imperialist doctrine salute your efforts to shed light on the toxic environment in Washington. Hopefully, the American people will soon demand third-party or independent politicians who are less hypocritical, materialistic and selfish.
Put the Democrats in the trash bin on your way out.
Drew Robert Winter is a State News columnist. Reach him at winterdr@msu.edu.
Commentary
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Tim
(07/31/08 9:18pm)Report
Well, this article ought to instigate a few good comments. Let the name calling begin:
brad
(08/01/08 2:07am)Report
Wow…I totally agree with this well written article. A first. Well done, Mr. Winter. Well done.
Osama-Obama Hussein
(08/01/08 5:19am)Report
WHAT A LAUGH
“ .. Those of us fighting for new politicians and systems devoid of such greed, hypocrisy and imperialist doctrine ..”
A tool of the Daley machine without a paper trail of opinions who has been running for President for 22 years. Backed by “The Swimmer,” Slick Willie, Jesse/Sharpton, and the free-mortgage Fannie/Freddie crowd.
What “change!”
You Starbucks guys have access to the same MJ as Dave Chappelle? Sure seems like it.
Keep smokin’ — reality bites, y’know.
Dan
(08/01/08 6:58am)Report
Your vituperations are worthless. You cast blame on the Republican Party for being scandalous, yet you fail to realize that greed and corruption can flourish easily in any type of government bureaucracy—regardless of party affiliation. Politicians are scumbags, except for the few good men (and women) who serve this country and not themselves. It has nothing to do with being Republican or Democrat.
Ugh, socialists!
Steve
(08/01/08 7:10am)Report
There are plenty of Democrats involved in scandal, including Rep. William Jefferson who was caught stuffing thousands of laundered dollars into a freezer. Former Sen. John Edwards has been cheating on his cancer stricken wife to the point that he has a love child with some whore out in California. Obama has received $200 million in special interest money for his Presidential campaign, the media of course has completely ignored this while Obama runs around claiming to be a new kind of pol. If you don’t think that kind of special interest dough is going to result in corruption, you’re out of your mind.
Tim
(08/01/08 7:43am)Report
Was it just me or did Mr. Winter say “Many other prominent political figures belong here, including more than a few Democrats. But, like most things the Democrats do, even their scandals are mired in mediocrity.”
Obviously he only chose republicans, but why don’t you guys point out to everyone the scandals he mentioned that aren’t true. Responding by saying Dems are corrupt to isn’t something Mr. Winter or any sane person would deny.
Osama- His very first sentence says he despises the American political system so I don’t see how you read this column and conclude Mr. Winter supports Mr. Obama or that the quote you referenced has anything to do with Obama. Most likely, Mr. Winter was referring to a 3rd party candidate.
Of course, you also say Jesse Jackson backs Obama which would seem to be not true given the Rev.‘s recent comments. You also mention the free mortgage crowd? Isn’t it Bush who is bailing out Fannie/Freddie?
Tim
(08/01/08 7:45am)Report
Obviously he only chose republicans, but why don’t you guys point out to everyone the scandals he mentioned that aren’t true. Responding by saying Dems are corrupt to isn’t something Mr. Winter or any sane person would deny.
Yikes that’s a bad couple of sentences..haven’t had my coffee yet.
“to” should be “too” and I hope you figure out what I mean by the first sentence.
Osama-Obama Hussein
(08/01/08 8:01am)Report
“ .. Isn’t it Bush who is bailing out Fannie/Freddie?”
God, how stupid. Congress legislates — President signs.
Fannie used to be run by the nearly-indicted Howell Raines (D) — SLICK WILLIE’s former chief-of-staff.
Fannie, and Freddie, being “New Deal” creations, are lousy with Democrats.
If Bush had spine, he would have broken up F/F, years ago.
This F/F collapse has been predicted for seven years in “The Wall Street Journal.”
Get a brain. Then try to use it. Dummy.
Bill Lumberg
(08/01/08 8:11am)Report
It would have been nice to see Mr. Winter point out more the ( D ) corruption, Gov. James McGreevey and Rep. William Jefferson are not “mired in mediocrity” as Mr. Winter would have you believe. But his over all point is a good one. The perceived “two party” system allows for far too much corruption. Like everything there is going to be good people and bad, but when voters as a whole say we have to vote ( R ) or ( D ) for our votes to count, that allows both parties to do what ever they want when elected. No matter what scandals Drew points out on the ( R ) side and what scandals posters point out on the ( D ) side there is a majority in this country that will still only vote one or the other. I agree with Drew in that it is time for a third party.
Note I kind of rambled but you get the point.
Tim
(08/01/08 8:41am)Report
God, how stupid. Congress legislates — President signs.
I guess it doesn’t matter what the candidates think about offshore drilling then.
EE Alumnus
(08/01/08 8:51am)Report
Mark Twain had it right more than a century ago when he wrote, “It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress.” Note that he didn’t draw any distinction between Repbublicans and Democrats; he lumped them all together as crooks.
MORE STUPIDITY
(08/01/08 9:20am)Report
“ .. I guess it doesn’t matter what the candidates think about offshore drilling then ..”
Since you can’t understand anything above the comic-book level —
The frequent USA polling done lately indicates never-before strong, rapidly-growing support for drilling where Cuba and Mexico are already drilling.
That moron Pelosi keeps up her mule-like stupidity in the face of that massive strong public sentiment — she’ll be impeached and/or ousted. And have all the time in the world to “think” about anything, out of office.
Tim
(08/01/08 9:55am)Report
Stupidity- Your post was in no way a response to mine. I talked about Presidential candidates and you respond with Pelosi. Typical of your posts.
The frequent USA polling done lately indicates never-before strong, rapidly-growing support for drilling where Cuba and Mexico are already drilling.
Hmmm…sounds like another issue. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Can anybody out there help me..I’m trying to think of an issue where the majority of Americans have a different opinion than a presidential candidate. Anybody? I think the polls show they disagree with the President too.
Obama (bin Laden)
(08/01/08 9:57am)Report
This is what you get when someone cannot think for themselves and regurgitates everything their professors yell about.
Jack Murtha (D) of Pennsylvania holds the record in Congress for pork barrel projects. His latest amount totals to over $160 million. A good chunk of that was reserved for a school in his home state that, after much research by both Republicans and Democrats, was found to NOT EVEN EXIST!! It is still unclear where the money was going, yet the Democrats allowed it to be voted on and of course it passed…
$250k by Ted Stevens?? Peanuts compared to what these disgusting Democrats have done. That’s our money they are misusing. If you like it, continue to vote for liberals, otherwise open your eyes and vote conservative.
Uh
(08/01/08 12:22pm)Report
Start hording, the whole system is coming down. A stupefied, dumbed down, ignorant populace with amoral leaders is doomed for completely failure.
Don't let facts get in the way
(08/01/08 1:11pm)Report
Obama (bin Laden): I’d rather people regurgitate accurate information from their professors than spit out numbers with no context and then claim it’s some kind of record.
“Jack Murtha (D) of Pennsylvania holds the record in Congress for pork barrel projects. His latest amount totals to over $160 million.”
I’m not sure what record you are referring too, but if Jack Murtha had only been able to secure $160 million total in pork that would not be remotely close to a record.
Ted Stevens secured roughly $3.2 billion in earmarks for alaska, not over the course of his entire career, just from 2004-2008. I’ll even do something that rarely happens on this board and cite my numbers:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/30/AR2008073003358.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
Listen, neither party has a monopoloy on illogical and excessive spending. And while Winter started this by focusing solely on Republicans when there is more than enough blame to go around, you’re comment isn’t adding to the discussion by throwing out Murtha’s name as if he’s suddenly the scapegoat for pork.
The fact is, pork will continue to be a part of politics because we as voters let it. You see we all complain about pork projects unless they are coming to our city or town. When our Congressional delegation brings home the bacon, we reward them by relecting them. It’s still a democracy people. If you don’t like it, change it.
MSUAlum2001
(08/01/08 2:50pm)Report
Amen Facts…you’re dead on.
Tim, why should we be surprised that Obama, stupidity, et.al. won’t ever address the points you or anyone actually make except for calling them stupid and going on a complete tangent? We really should give up trying to have a discussion with him. I can see him sitting there just snarling and screaming at his computer.
MSUAlum2001
(08/01/08 2:52pm)Report
And facts…Wasn’t one of Steven’s earmarks for the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere?” I think that alone was almost $160 Million.
Mark
(08/01/08 3:06pm)Report
Check out
http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/266.html
And
http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/22685.html
It seems that the Republicans are much better at securing funding from the pork barrel than Democrats. Because, the Republicans are the party of small government?
The really sad thing is that as bad as the Michigan economy is, we still send more money to Washington than we get back. #37/50 we clearly need better representatives.
Tim The Democrat Is Ignorant
(08/01/08 3:25pm)Report
“ .. I guess it doesn’t matter what the candidates think about offshore drilling then ..”
The frequent USA polling done lately indicates never-before strong, rapidly-growing support for drilling where Cuba and Mexico are already drilling.
You idiot — today, General Motors of Flint, Mich., reports losing $15,500,000,000.00 in three months — and you think drilling is an issue to “talk about.”
That’s as moronic as being on the sinking Titanic and wanting a bath. Fool.
These keeps up, B. Hussein loses in a landslide. For “thinking” instead of actually “doing.” Like Drew of Starbucks.
Osama-Obama Hussein
(08/01/08 8:35pm)Report
Obama Opens the Door to Offshore Drilling: WaPo
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/01/obama_opens_the_door_to_offsho.html
God, he’s already flip-flopped on drilling. Must be some record for dumping allies.
Don’t quit Starbucks, Drew. You could be there, for some time. McCainiacs don’t hire useless “thinkers.”
Brain Trauma
(08/01/08 11:03pm)Report
As you can tell from Drew’s crooked smile, he has suffered a stroke on the left hemisphere of his brain. As we all know, the left hemisphere is responsible logic and reason whereas the right hemisphere is largely responsible for creativity. Very creative ideas Drew, logical, keep dreaming.
Chewie
(08/03/08 5:52pm)Report
I loathe the Republican party as much as the next guy, but give me a break — they hardly have sole claim on political corruption. The sad truth is that the entire Congress is an assemblage of dishonorable millionaire attornies who see the system merely as a means of personal advancement and enrichment. Whether there’s an ® or (D) after their name only makes a difference in the seating chart.
Mr. Anonymous
(08/03/08 6:35pm)Report
I agree with the comments. Of course both parties have committed wrongdoing. What to do about it? May I suggest to dismantle them?
Townsend
(08/06/08 12:48pm)Report
Well, I knew before long that knot-heads like Dan, Tim and their wacko-right friends would be chased from their underground bunker and (unhappily) show up with their hateful: racist/Red-baiting/Muslim-hating jingoistic comments… Leave it to these boys to always DUMB DOWN a discussion… A shame these fools troll the newspaper board of one of America’s leading universities.