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CORRUPTION UPDATES 10 September 13 to 16, 2006 The CORRUPTION UPDATES posts corruption news stories from California, the Nation and the World, and gives you the straight story. |
CORRUPTION UPDATE 10
Previous Corruption Updates: Page 9.
Next Corruption Updates: Page 11
Public Financing of Campaigns Is the Right Idea, but Prop. 89 Is Wrong Way to Do It
September 14, 2006
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-cap14sep14,1,5624612.column?coll=la-headlines-politics
George Skelton
writes Monday and Thursday. Reach him at
george.skelton@latimes.com.
“Special
interests — who've always been the politicians' principal
bankrollers in Sacramento — simply have too much influence
over public policy decisions. To think otherwise is to deny
human nature.”
“So Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and
his opponent, Treasurer Phil Angelides, are scrambling to raise
money from what best can be described as investors.”
“George
Steffes, who arrived in Sacramento about 40 years ago to lobby
the Legislature for Gov. Ronald Reagan, said:
“the
average person thinks the government is for sale or for rent”
“Too many politicians, he added, "are corrupted. You hear 'em saying one after another, 'I can take their money and it doesn't affect my vote.' And after a while you just want to throw up."
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
George Skelton (Bee) does not like corruption, but would prefer it to reform:
Although this article clearly identifies the high level of damage corruption is causing to our polity, it points out that Clean Campaigns has “ an agenda here that overreaches beyond public financing: It's to greatly reduce corporate influence in California politics.”
Mr. Skelton does not have a proper definition of democracy. Mr. Skelton, corporations have no legitimate role participating directly in our elections. The direct link between corporations and political power is the cornerstone of Corporate Fascism, not democracy. We doubt Mr. Skelton would approve of our initiative, for it is based on democracy, where the people control their elections and guide their politicians, rather than the corporations.
We welcome the views and voices of all interests, be they union or corporate special interests. We firmly reject the notion that they have any right to sponsor OUR politicians, or fund their elections. The point of distinction between legitimate free speech and bribery is when the special interests give politicians a check. That act transforms legitimate acts of free assembly, speech, and petition into a bribery.
Mr. Skelton's heart is in the right place, but his head contains no clear definition of democracy to guide his heart or analysis. That is our main job: teaching citizens the difference between ethical democratic practices, and the free-for-all of corruption that is disgracefully called democracy today.
FBI scrutinizes Oakland official in alleged contract extortion
Christopher Heredia and Demian Bulwa, Chronicle Staff Writers
Friday, September 15, 2006
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/15/MNGJFL6BU61.DTL
“Federal authorities said Thursday that they are investigating whether an Oakland elected official participated in a scheme in which a well-connected clothier near City Hall allegedly extorted money from a bidder for a city contract, promising influence with the official in return. “
“But a source familiar with the matter said the official is City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente. “
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
FBI PROBING City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente. WHY? WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING A CLOTHING STORE TO CHANNEL BRIBES AND A “LOBBYIST?
Is there a politician in California who has not taken an official bribe, a “contribution” from special interests? NO. Is there any difference, practically speaking, between the formal bribery of the lobbyists and the grimy bribery described above. NO.
The problem we have is that politics, our democracy, is equivalent to an auction. This article points out that the auction is not just monopolized by big corporations and unions in the halls of our legislature, but it goes on anywhere where our politicians or their friends can be found.
We must establish democratic ethics at the center of our political process to stop, or at least slow, these practices of shadowy corruption and influence peddling. If these charges prove true, we can hope the de la fuente family enjoys its prison reunion. Looks like the tree and the fruit really can't get away from each other.
Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Corruption
“Ohio Republican Ney admits accepting illegal gifts from lobbyist Jack Abramoff.”
By Richard B.
Schmitt, Times Staff Writer
September 16, 2006
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ney16sep16,1,2535243.story?coll=la-headlines-politics
“WASHINGTON
— In court documents, he was known only as "Representative
1," an anonymous member of the House who always seemed to
have his hand out when super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff came calling
for favors for his clients.
On Friday, the lawmaker, Ohio
Republican Bob Ney, officially emerged from the shadows and
acknowledged his guilt.”
“Ney,
52, admitted in a plea agreement with federal prosecutors filed
in federal court in Washington that he had accepted tens of
thousands of dollars in illegal favors from Abramoff and from a
Syrian businessman nicknamed "the Fat Man.".”
“Prosecutors
said they would recommend a sentence for Ney of 27 months in
prison, although his crimes carry a maximum penalty of up to 10
years. “
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
NEY PLEAD GUILTY TO CORRUPTION:
ONE DOWN, THE REST OF OUR LEGISLATURE TO GO...
It's about time. These people, all of our politicians, have been stealing our democracy for decades. As in any long term system, it has become more sophisticated over the years. The special interest system of political control is so outrageous that it is now impossible to see how any of their “contributions” are not bribes. If democracy gains its legitimacy by the people electing their own representatives, our government is illegitimate.
Ney is being singled out for what is the common practice of our politicians: accepting special interest bribery. The only tragedy is that the rest of them are not before the bar of justice, and there are no plans to change this cesspool of corruption. EXCEPT ONE: THE POLITICAL REFORM INITIATIVE OF 2008. READ OUR INITIATIVE. JOIN OUR MOVEMENT. GATHER YOUR FRIENDS AND EDUCATE YOUR ENEMIES. WE HAVE A BIG JOB AHEAD OF US.
Read more articles about Ney
SAN FRANCISCO
Board
candidate didn't report real estate while legislative aide
Cecilia M. Vega, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, September 14, 2006
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/14/BAGPJL5DHP1.DTL
“San Francisco Board of Supervisors candidate Jaynry Mak failed to disclose her ownership interest in real estate valued at more than $6 million and the income she received from it while working as a city legislative aide, public records show.”
“Earlier this summer, Mak was forced to explain her involvement with a real estate partnership that paid $5 million for property near the future home of a proposed 49ers football stadium development.
The acquisition took place while Mak was still a legislative aide and before an announcement by the football team about its plans for a stadium and residential project at Candlestick Point. Though Mak was listed only as an agent for the real estate partnership, her involvement raised questions about whether members of the partnership had access to inside information from City Hall before buying the land. “
“Then last month, Mak's campaign also faced questions about whether it reported the true source of several political donations from people in low-wage jobs -- maids, handymen, garment workers and line cooks -- who gave her $500, the maximum amount allowed by law.
Mak has said the donations simply reflect friends of hers and her family and others whom she has helped over the years digging deep to show their support and gratitude. Still, the city attorney has opened an investigation in the matter at the request of the Ethics Commission, which enforces local campaign finance laws, sources familiar with the investigation said. “
Mak's response: “I'm a person of great integrity," she said. "I don't think I've done anything to make people question my integrity."
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
MAK SMACKS OF LACK OF ETHICS ATTACK.
Ms. Mak has all the attributes of a successful politician in today's political climate. She is obviously rich, and seeks to further her wealth. She is well connected. She works well with the real estate industry, who are one of the biggest “contributors” to politics in California. And, according to her, she is, “"a person of great integrity," she said. "I don't think I've done anything to make people question my integrity." She is, by her own admission, so ethical that she is blind to
the need to report her economic interests. “ Mak said her opponents are engaged in character assassination rather than talking about issues of importance to District 4 voters.” No, Ms. Mak, your character is not being assassinated, it committed suicide.
Lawmakers question new pipeline rules
By H. JOSEF HEBERT, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 12:44 pm PDT Wednesday, September 13, 2006
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3372175p-12407279c.html
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
DO BRIBED POLITICIANS PROVIDE SAFE REGULATION OF PIPELINES, OR ANYTHING ELSE?
Why should we trust our representatives to make honest policy when they receive millions from the industries they are supposed to regulate?
It is impossible to understand if these regulations, or any regulations made by any political body that is so thoroughly bribed by the industry they are to regulate is good regulation. I predict continued ecological, as well as supply problems as long as the politicians are routinely bribed by the oil industry.
Read more about how Political Bribery brings America Death
Texas court to reconsider DeLay charge
By APRIL CASTRO, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 12:31 pm PDT Wednesday, September 13, 2006
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3371685p-12406493c.html
“AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The state's highest criminal appeals court said Wednesday it would consider reinstating a conspiracy charge against former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, further delaying his felony money laundering trial. “
“DeLay stepped down as majority leader after the charges were filed and announced his resignation from Congress a few months later. “
“Prosecutors accuse DeLay and the two consultants of violating state law by funneling $190,000 in illegal corporate money to the Republican National Committee, which then donated the same amount to Texas candidates. Under Texas law, corporate money can't be directly used for political campaigns. “
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
DID DELAY CONSPIRE? TEXAS COURT RECONSIDERS CHARGES
BOTH PARTIES HAVE BEEN CONSPIRING TO SELL OUR DEMOCRACY FOR DECADES.
The corruption we are seeing in politics must be blamed on corrupted individuals. But these individuals do not exist in a vacuum; they are extensions of a system of corporate funding that is shared by both parties. The very act of corporate entities and special interests funding candidates and politicians is undemocratic, and must be stopped.
Our initiative will not stop corrupt individuals from tainting our democracy; but it will force them to operate in an honest system. Read our initiative.
Read more about Abramoff and Company
Tobacco and oil ballot issues draw big money
Lynda Gledhill, Matthew Yi, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/09/13/MNG7FL4KQO1.DTL
“09-13) 04:00 PDT Sacramento -- Election season is barely under way, but two ballot measures that strike at the bottom lines of oil and tobacco firms have already attracted more than $100 million in campaign contributions.”
“Tobacco firms already have committed $40 million to defeat Proposition 86, which would raise the state cigarette excise tax by $2.60 a pack to $3.47. The money would fund emergency services, children's health care and tobacco-prevention programs.”
“Oil companies since January have pumped in the bulk of about $35 million contributed to kill Proposition 87, which would impose a tax on oil producers in California.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
INITIATIVE FREE FOR ALL:
LEGISLATIVE FAILURES SET STAGE FOR SLUG FEST OF SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY:
Three special interests and one new governmental program are what these initiatives are about. The hospitals vs. the tobacco industry. Big oil vs. Ethanol.
Is there any good policy here? NO. Do these initiatives signal a failure of our legislature, our government generally, to craft good medical and energy policy? YES.
Our hospitals (not to mention our schools, roads, and social services) are on the verge of collapse. Our legislature has not stood in the way of the big Special Interests making record profits over the last couple of decades, but have failed to maintain our infrastructure as the profits of the special interests, and the population of our state, have outgrown any limits of social or political responsibility.
Lets stop the special interests from bribing our legislature, so we can make responsible policy, and avoid the necessity to witness these kind of special interest sponsored initiative battles.
Read more about Big Oil in politics
Previous Corruption Updates: Page 9.
Next Corruption Updates: Page 11
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