How to Buy the US Congress
Posted: November 9, 2011 Filed under: 2012 presidential campaign, Congress, Corporate Crime, corruption, Crime, Economy, fundamentalist Christians, George W. Bush, K street, lobbyists, Regulation | Tags: 2012 presidential election, systemic failure, U.S. Economy 13 CommentsLots of political earthquakes and eruptions going on recently, so many that I missed 60 
Minutes this past Sunday evening. But fortunately, I picked up the CBS clip of an extraordinary interview that Lesley Stahl conducted with the infamous Bush-era lobbyist, Jack Abramoff. If you haven’t seen it, gird your loins. If you saw the original program, watch again because this 14-minute video explains in good measure exactly how the ‘train’ [the US government] went off the rails.
In one word: corruption. But let’s use two words: systemic corruption.
Some will insist that Abramoff is an unreliable narrator, considering he spent 4 years in a medium security prison for conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion.
But who better to describe the underbelly of a wrecked, thoroughly compromised system than the best lobbyist that money could buy? Btw, before Abramoff was nailed, he claims he ‘owned’ 100 US Congress people. He considered that number woefully low. See 60 minutes link here. It’s mind boggling.
That Indian Reservation scandal mentioned in the interview? It should be noted that no other than Grover Norquist [No Taxes Ever] and Ralph Reed [Moral Majority’s darling] were involved as well. Somehow they escaped prosecution. The vein of corruption that infects and compromises the very heart and soul of this country runs deep. Abramoff may be a despicable character but he’s actually doing a service [redemption?] by pulling the curtains back, letting in the light. As Bostonboomer has said a number of times: sunlight is always the best disinfectant.
Herman Cain has been fending off accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct left and
right. I certainly don’t wish to minimize those charges. If proven credible in the court of public opinion, those accusations will end Cain’s Presidential bid. But Abramoff and his crew of buddies? They’re the real professionals in the art of the screw, subversive actions raping and robbing an entire Nation.
The question is: will the American public demand a return to the Rule of Law and rout out the corruption that’s killing us. Because as my mama always said: there’s never only one cockroach in the pantry.
peej
Carissa
bostonboomer
ecocatwoman
mablue2
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Jack Abramoff: The lobbyist’s playbook
CBSNewsOnline
I believe that the ‘Citizen’s United’ Supreme Court Ruling of making corporations ‘people’ is the loophole that K Street lobbyists have gotten after the exposure of Abramoff’s scheme. In essence we are now worse off because they now have no limits on the funds used to influence elections and continue on with the blessings of the Supreme Court.
Is that You Tube playing for you? I struggled to get the You Tube vid embedded but couldn’t, so I included a link to the 60 minutes show. But my computer has been hiccuping all morning. It’s raining. My wireless doesn’t like rain.
In any case, I agree–Citizen’s United has made things even worse. But Abramoff and his buds set a withering standard that many K street lobbyists were only too keen to follow.
I guess we’re the fools [or marks as the case may be]. Ordinary citizens are the only ones who try to follow the law. Which, of course, renders the law itself meaningless.
Depressing.
Yes, it is, takes a bit to load on, but once on, no problem.
there’s never only one cockroach in the pantry.
or one rat in the cupboard.
GOP Big Brother – How Norquist Corners Congress
http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/505UA2/S30DJC/HR54KF/KZGU8L/JK8RQ/FW/h
Why the networks give these liars a forum is beyond me.
One week Ruth Madoff, another Dick Cheney, this week Jack Abramoff.
At least Lindsay Lohan is making a “more honest attempt” at making a living by posing nude for Playboy.
These people just keep the lies rolling in hopes of receiving redemption. Lindsay just bares all.
The only credit I would give Abramoff is that at least he’s willing to admit he was wrong. He even uses the word ‘evil.’ Is he sincere? I have no idea. Dick Cheney is still in everyone’s face that he was right. And Ruth Madoff from what I understand claims she knew very little about her husband’s scam but once she did they’d agreed to a suicide pact. Which, of course, was not carried out.
All three have written books. Which seems to be a sure path to publication and subsequent book tour–break the law, lie your socks off and you too can be publicized author.
What a glorious world!
The thing that always kills me is that these guys get no time compared to what some one that robs a convenience store or shoplifts food gets.
http://www.chatsports.com/penn-state-nittany-lions/a/Source-Paterno-to-step-down-from-Penn-State-on-Thursday-10-137-26
Proof that the White House is owned.
Asshats.
Hillary 2012
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-expand-drilling-off-alaska-gulf-165453778.html
Dude, do we need any further proof of that 🙂 They’ve been owned since 2007 or before.
Sorry ralphb! I should have said MORE proof that the White House is owned. Good Looking out!! :-bd
Hillary 2012