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CORRUPTION UPDATES 2 August 9th to the 29th, 2006 The CORRUPTION UPDATES posts corruption news stories from California, the Nation and the World, and gives you the straight story. |
CORRUPTION UPDATES 2
Previous Corruption
Updates: Page
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Perata reconsiders bills amid bad press, Steve Geissinger, 8-29-06 Oak Tri
“Perata and committees he controls have long-standing ties to development interests, which have donated about $1 million in the past two years -- including $50,000 from Sacramentan Angelo K. Tsakopoulos, who did not return calls for comment Friday. “
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Perata
takes HALF-MIL to sell out: Perata takes half-mil to kill bills.
There
is no question that "donations" and special interest
campaign contributions put, and keep, "our"
politicians in office. And these politicians serve the needs of
the special interests first. Again and again we see both parties
can not govern honestly under the pall of bribery disguised as
“campaign contributions.”
Perata claims he is reconsidering flood measures he shelved for his developer contributors. Perata is embarrassed, and is making statements to regain some credibility. He has no intention of ticking off his big-money special interest masters.
Even Lois Wolk, D-Davis, who's legislation was crushed by this display of special interests power, cannot honestly identify the forces that crushed her bill: the special interests that fund the senate leader of her party, and her party. "My approach has always been to judge politicians by their actions," Wolk said. Be honest Ms. Wolk, you CAN judge a politician by their contributors. And you can predict their votes.
It would not be wise for Ms. Wolk to bite the hand, the machine, that feeds her. The solution is simple: we must outlaw all contributions and gifts to candidates or officeholders, or their staffs and families, from any source other than individuals qualified to vote in the election for that officeholder.
Builders give Perata $500,000
By Jim Sanders -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 11:37 am PDT Friday, August 25, 2006
http://dwb.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/14307509p-15194104c.html
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Perata takes HALF-MIL in exchange for soul:
Trick, he never had one.
The California Building Industry Association gave Perata $500,000 two days after he killed important flood control legislation they opposed. “Earlier this week, however, Perata denied that contributions from the building industry affected his decision to shelve the flood-control legislation.” LIAR.
The builders Association tells us that "that their participation in state politics is no different from that of many industry associations". That's the problem, and this statement demonstrates just how damaged our democracy is. Open bribery is acceptable. "Everyone does it," and "it's always been like this" are the sad justifications our politicians give us. Industrial control has slapped the voter to the curb. This open corruption must stop. We must prevent any contributions to candidates or officeholders from any source other than voters qualified to vote in the election they contribute to. We want honest legislation, and legislators. If bribing our politicians is illegal, the special interests will be restricted to their due rights of association and petition. And we, the voters, will decide which politicians get our financial support and viability, not the special interests. And political policy will reflect our needs, not the special interests'.
Builders' clout cited as flood bills stall, By Jim Sanders -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 12:01 am PDT Friday, August 25, 2006
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Dem claims BUILDERS CLOUT Arnie's fault:
Dems cite Arnie as cause of Perata's corruption?
This article
describes the efforts by California Builders to kill a flood
control package that would have required responsible development
in flood plains. Responsibility would cost our business leaders
dearly. We find it amazing that "Florez, D-Shafter, said
the building industry has become increasingly powerful since
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took office." Perata just
received his 500,000 payoff from the building industry, not
Arnie. Is Mr. Flores aware that Perata is a Democrat? Really. Is
Mr.Florez also aware that his candidate for governor, Angelides,
had his primary rescued by a massive infusion of developer
money? I'm sure he is. Let's face it, Mr. Flores, both of the
parties are sponsored by developers, and the other special
interests, and not our citizens.
This article describes the vortex of corruption that special interests and corrupt politicians have created in Sacramento. Both parties breathe the same air, and both parties are corrupted and controlled through bribery.. In the words of a building lobbyist, they are "no different from many other associations -- it actively participates in state politics, contributes to candidates it supports and tries to keep lawmakers informed about issues it considers key."
This article fails to point out the difference between the legitimate special interest rights of association, speech, and petition, and the illegitimate use of money-bribes-by non-voting interests. These bribes subvert the voters' control of their representatives, their right to choose their own representatives. Not the representatives of the Special Interests.
We must end contributions from any source other than voters qualified to vote in the election they contribute to. Or this corruption will never stop.
Dan Walters: Legislators redefine cynicism by strangling redistricting reform
By Dan Walters -- Bee Columnist
Published 12:01 am PDT Monday, August 21, 2006
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Political Parties-Special Interests divide political and economic ownership of California:
Think We're Cynical? Read this.
Mr.
Walters observes that, “It should be evident to any
even halfway objective observer that the Legislature is an
abjectly dysfunctional body, chronically incapable of responding
effectively to the issues.” Policy decisions are, “driven by the wishes of a relative handful of
powerful interest groups.“ Walters says that this
problem worsened
“five years ago when...the two major parties cooked up a redistricting deal to fix the Capitol's status quo by designating the party ownership of all 120 legislative districts.” Mr. Walters described the result as a power grab by special interests and the parties which, “rendered the November elections meaningless, and effectively disenfranchised millions of independent voters.”
Walters sees the solution in judicial redistricting. This is a difficult problem. We have not been able to make our parties or politicians act ethically, but we can significantly lessen the damage done by their corruption.
Restricting the party's financing of local candidates to 30% of local contributions, and eliminating non-voter outside money from local elections will produce politicians funded by their local voters, and make it more difficult for the parties to dictate to the local voters. It is certain that any comprehensive solution to monopolistic parties and districts must include breaking the links between the special interest wealth and political power.
Bill Targets State Food Label Warnings
By LIBBY QUAID, AP
Food and Farm Writer inLAT
9:29 AM PDT, August 20, 2006
“In March, the House overwhelmingly approved legislation that would preempt state warnings. The Senate held a hearing on the issue in July.” “200 state laws or regulations could be affected, according to the Congressional Budget Office”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
CONTRIBUTE TO WIN:
Big contributors try to trump state safety law by buying influence in House and Senate.
This is corruption in action, directly distorting the legislative process to achieve special interests goals at odds with the general welfare of our citizens. The “contributions” of big agriculture and big food processors are being paid back by trumping the will of the voters with the power of corrupt influences.
Desert Connections
By Chuck
Neubauer and Richard T. Cooper, LATimes Staff Writers
LAT, August
20, 2006
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
How
Big Money Gets Richer in Nevada: LATimes. An excellent survey of how dirty
relationships benefit the briber and bribee.
This
article describes the deep relationships between wealth and
political power that make it impossible for citizens to know if
their politicians are making honest policy. This is the story of
how the political power of Harry Reid, D-Nev, and
the money of “super-Lobbyist” Harvey
Whittemore came together in a vast Nevada development,
Coyote Springs. “Helping make Coyote Springs come alive
was an alliance between a multimillionaire developer and one of
the highest-ranking members of Congress: Nevada Democrat Harry
Reid, the Senate minority leader and a member of the powerful
Senate Appropriations Committee.”
Where is the line between honest public policy and corruption? It is impossible for our politicians to make honest public policy when their pockets are lined with money by the interests they are supposedly regulating. Highlights of this long and complex article include massive giveaways, “At one point, Reid proposed opening the way for Whittemore to develop part of the site for free — something for which the developer later agreed to pay the government $10 million.” There are many favors a senator's influence can achieve. “No federal appraisal was made” for a land switch of turtle habitat “Nevada's congressional delegation tucked an obscurely worded provision into a huge land bill “, which would have done Whittemore a large financial favor” To get millions from your politicians is quite cheap, for Reid only “received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Whittemore.“ Reid could afford to be generous in repaying his sponsor's favors, for the payback came from the public treasury.
But don't let the corruption of Reid bother you , because everyone does it: “Jon Summers, an aide to Sen. Reid, said, "Harvey Whittemore has a history of giving money to political candidates far and wide — and to both political parties.” Not only Reid benefits from his powerful position, but two of Reid's sons are employed by Whittemore, negotiating with the federal government to advance the development. The feds apparently listen hard when a senator's son speaks. In fact, the senator's office itself was lobbied by his own sons. “In 2001, the senator's office established a rule that family members could lobby his office but could not get special treatment.” It defies logic and ethics to believe that family members could even be allowed to lobby their own family for political favors, and could do so without “special treatment” Our politicians have been so corrupt for so long they can't see their own corruption.
'Duke' Cunningham's Wife Says She Felt Deceived
From the Associated Press in LAT
August 19, 2006
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Duke Wife Thought He Was Just “Normally” Corrupt: This woman shows how hard it is to differentiate between a little and a lot of corruption.
This article would be funny, if it wasn't real. Nancy Cunningham, wife of the convicted political cheat, “Duke” Cunningham, said she“felt deceived about the extent of her now-estranged husband's corruption” The extent? What is “normal” corruption?
Possibly the yachts, homes, and antiques they received as bribes were less than normal corruption, for the quality of the bribes was “not that great,” according to Mrs.Cunningham.” If receiving yachts and houses was petty, it's no wonder “she didn't question junkets paid for by defense contractors because other senior congressional figures, including Speaker Dennis Hastert, joined in. “
Well, if everybody's doing it, it must be o.k. Well, I'm o.k. With Duke doing eight years in prison.
Also see More Duke Links Below
Former Bush Official Seeks New Trial
By Associated
Press
1:42 AM PDT, August 19, 2006
WASHINGTON -- A former Bush administration official convicted of hiding details of his relationship with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff has asked for a new trial.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Bush Appointee tries to Avoid Prison:
Another link in the Abramoff web of corruption: convicted influence peddler Safavian tries to avoid prison.
David Safavian was the chief of staff of the GSA, and used his influence to help Abramoff buy government buildings in Washington, DC. No property was purchased, but Safavian tried, and he took one of Abramoff's legendary golfing junkets. Hopefully Safavian's conviction will stand, and another corrupt person who betrayed the public trust will be imprisoned.
For More About Abramoff's Web of Corruption:
Corruption Updates 33, 8th article on the page, "House
Panel Opens Investigation of GSA Chief's Deal With Friend"
Corruption Updates 47, 8th article on the page, "Waxman
Seeks RNC E-Mail on Use of Federal Resources" (Looking at political manipulation by GSA head)
Perry's big donors get state posts, business
Associated Press in HouChron. Aug. 17, 2006, 3:58PM
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Texas Gov Rewards his Big Donors:
Gov. Perry's big donors clean up.
The big “donors” to Gov. Perry of Texas get a lot of bang for their bucks. “many are beneficiaries of government business and plum state appointments, The Dallas Morning News reported today.”
In Texas there are no limits to campaign contributions, and apparently no limit to what these contributions can buy. Texans understand that, "The kinds of people who step up to the plate to give this kind of money tend to be people who want something from government," said Andrew Wheat of Texans for Public Justice, a nonprofit group that tracks campaign contributions.” We in California have campaign contribution limits. Now we must make voters the only contributions in our elections.
Former Murrieta Mayor Indicted
While Mayor, Jack van Haaster allegedly acted on a conflict of interest and provided false information, further stoking the town's political intrigues.
By Maeve Reston and Susannah Rosenblatt, Times Staff Writer, August 17, 2006
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Murrieta Mayor Indicted. Ex-Mayor van Haaster used office for self-enrichment.
Mayor Van Haaster is
charged with using his influence to advance his, and his
daughter's financial condition. What is amazing is how the
personal corruption of our politicians is publicly felt.
“In
May 2005, Van Haaster was booted from office in a recall
campaign that targeted him, current Mayor Kelly Seyarto and
Councilman Doug McAllister. Recall supporters complained of the
council haphazardly supporting new development in town and not
responding adequately to residents' concerns.” This
article describes the hubris of politicians funded by special
interests, and fueled by greed. Keeping the developers from
buying our politicians will keep our cities from being very
poorly developed. And maybe they will have to keep the schools,
and roads, and electricity, and water up to decent standards,
instead of leaving us to pay the true costs of “development.”
'Duke' Inquiry Cites Breakdowns
The findings could widen the Cunningham scandal, a Democratic memo suggests.
By Greg Miller, Times
Staff Writer
August 10, 2006
WASHINGTON
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Secret report: Congress Corrupt:
Better Keep this one secret. Or we might want our democracy back.
An internal congressional probe finds widespread corruption of committee processes. Who thought Congress was healthy? Exxon Mobil and friends. This article describes a now secret report about breakdowns in appearances. Cunningham apparently was openly greedy. That is consistent with Congress' public image. But Legislators are getting nervous now that their open corruption is becoming increasingly disgusting to the public. What separates Cunningham from the rest of the pack is that he was caught. None of our politicians are advancing serious reform which would restore our democracy, let alone its “appearances.” Since “earmarks” operate in secret, Cunningham's inappropriate funding requests can not be compared with other “secret” Congressional “transactions.”
“Despite those
concerns, the aide said, Cunningham's requests often were
granted. For that reason, the aide added, portions of the report
could be embarrassing to committee staff and leadership. Another
aide said that "staff felt pressured by Cunningham"
and often acquiesced, "not wanting to offend him or make
him upset."”
Cunningham's anger is nothing
compared to the voters' rising anger. I look forward to the day
when honest politics produce a more honest politician.
Corruption Updates 1, 1st article on page, “Wilkes Tells All”
Corruption Updates 2, 8th article, “Duke wife though he was just “normally corrupt.”
Corruption Updates 2, "Duke Inqiry Cites Breakdowns" (Congress Corrupted by Bribery. That's the breakdown)
Corruption Updates 17, 8th article on page, “Duke lashes out from Prison”
Corruption Updates 30, 5th article on page, “DUKE BRIBER FINED”
Corruption Updates 31, 9th article on page, “DUKE MENU OF BRIBERY PAYOFFS W/CONGRESS SEAL
lobbyists'
donate when legislation pending
Lawmakers hunt for cash in
final days of voting on bills
Chronicle, Wednesday, August 9, 2006
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Lobbyist' Donate When Legislation Pending:
Blatant Bribery as special interests contribute to politicians voting on their measures.
This article describes how our legislators use the end of session log jam of legislation to extort “contributions,” (bribes) from the special interests. Really? I'm confused. Who is bribing who? Do the special interests bribe the legislators? Or do the legislators bribe the special interests? It is a matter of semantics. And apparently a matter of timing: The lobbyists bribe the politicians at the beginning, during elections, and the politicians bribe the lobbyists at the end of session, when their bills are on the line. At the end of the Session the politicians have the upper hand, so the bribers are hard pressed by the politicians. To the citizens the results are the same, and the public interest be damned.
"It's an opportune time to fleece lobbyists for as much money as possible because the fate of bills is literally being voted on," Wow, what a “fleecing.” The lobbyist gives a thousand and gets a million. Somebody's getting fleeced, and it's not the lobbyist or the legislator.
There is a sadly funny aspect to this article, when Willie Brown is consulted as an expert on corruption. Apparently Willie’s corruptions are considered the good old days.
Another potentially humorous view of this frenzy of corruption was explained away as being “simply a function of the calendar.” Burn that calendar, and throw out the criminals who are marking time by it.
Martyn Hopper, a
business lobbyist, was quoted as saying, "The unfortunate
part is when there are so many fund raisers it focuses
attention on the bad side of the political system." And
what, pray tell, is the good side of this frenzy of corruption?
Oh yes, when you get your payoff.
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ARCHIVES I: PAGES 1-4 June 8 to August 31, 2006
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