Ah, those ethical and honest Democrats, honed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and, themselves, charged with and carrying out the most ethical Congress in American history.
Oh damn. Except for when they get caught. I hate it when that happens.
WASHINGTON — Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., was indicted today on federal charges of racketeering, soliciting bribes and money-laundering in a long-running bribery investigation into business deals he tried to broker in Africa.
The indictment handed up in federal court in Alexandria., Va., today is 94 pages long and lists 16 alleged violations of federal law that could keep Jefferson in prison for up to 235 years, according to a Justice Department official who has seen the document.
Guess what, Democrats?
You’re ALREADY pushing the US electorate squarely back into the GOP camp.
So for that, you have my most humble thanks.
Keep up the good work!
BZ
I’m with ya — the Dems are their own worst enemy. Problem is, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of difference in pols from either side anymore. Run, Fred, run.
I’ve hesitated in featuring this squarely in a stand-alone post but, Panhandle Poet, I fear there is more truth than lie in your statement regarding differences between the aisles.
BZ
When Katrina happened and Jefferson used his power as a congress-critter to commandeer an Army vehicle and troops to transport him thru the floodwater’s so he could check on HIS house, I knew then that all he was, was another Louisiana DemocRAT and I thought then, “He’ll get his…”
Then the Feds nailed him, on camera, taking money and I thought then, “He’ll get his…”
Then they really went after him and recovered all the ‘cold cash’ and I thought, “Awesome, NOW he’s gonna get his…”
Let me let you guys into something if you don’t know, it took forever and a day to bring former Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards up on federal charges and even longer to convict him of racketeering charges…
We all KNOW that this asshat Jefferson is as guilty as sin, but don’t think that he’s headed for the federal pen just yet, it’s Louisiana and a lot stranger things have happened in that states politics…
And you can bet you ass, that just like Edwards before him, this crooked bastard could be convicted and jailed and the people of Louisiana wouldn’t hesitate to elect him again, he’s a Dem, it’s Louisiana, and they don’t care about ‘crooks’…
Both are corrupt but it does seem that the Donks are moreso and get away with it because the press is so hesitant to attack one of their prefered party.
It’s all so intertwined. So malignant. So corrupt. It bestills my heart and makes me so sad.
BZ
FURTHER: OMIGAWD! A BLACK man couldn’t POSSIBLY BE responsible for anything remotely RESEMBLING a “misunderstanding.”
“All animals are equal. Some are more equal than others.”
The Truth
The sad part is if he were a Republican he would’ve already been out of Congress. Now that he’s been indicted watch “ethical” Nancy do nothing to remove him. It doesn’t matter that they have a video where they caught him in the act.
LMC: oh baby, so massively TRUE. He would already be on his way OUT.
You are right. And Right. She will do NOTHING to remove him from the scope.
BZ
Ah, how quickly people want to forget that last year it was John Boehner stepping in to save William Jefferson’s bacon. Asserted priveleges far beyond anything granted to the Legislative branches that would shield *everything* done by them from the Executive and the Judiciary. Then, because of that ruckus, President Bush decided that having just a bit of political turmoil looking into the activities of a Congresscritter just needed a ’90 day cooling off period’. Might make it an ELECTION TOPIC otherwise, you know. Can’t have *any* turmoil heading into elections.
I mean what with last year’s Amnesty bill, in which the Senate was looking to turn over border Sovereignty to Mexico for a veto and limit the power of the President and land it right in the Senate…might be a bit much in the way of turmoil to see High Office holders skirting the law and the Senate looking to hand over power on the border to another Sovereign Nation. Can’t have a ruckus, you know!
Say, just exactly *where* is a Nationalist Party, anyways? You know, one that puts forth that Nation States are the Sole Sovereigns for their People and that they are held accountable by Treaty and do not interfere with other Nations on pain of trade sanctions, blockade and war? When did corporations get a ‘free pass’ from the Right and conservatives, and have their organs put into places like International Accords as spokespeople for the People?
I give no party, no elected official, no group, no corporation, no religion, no *one* a free pass in saying we don’t need to uphold the US Constitution. That is reprehensible… and yet we have two parties that make *hiring* illegal aliens MISDEMEANORS and due to get a *wrist slap*. Of course offering to hire them should be seen as enticement to break the law, which is a FELONY, but we just can’t seem to get law enforcement, courts or Congress to see it that way. And when large cash payments are involved, like with Abscam or Mr. Jefferson, why no need to look at that, might get a few people upset.
Notice how few *sting* operations have been conducted like Abscam targeting Congress? Who gets to fund Justice?
Congress.
Who gets to hold Justice accountable and slash funding when it gets a might bit hot towards those writing the law?
Congress.
How long have conservatives been quiet about the lack of investigations, the lack of accountability by corporations, the lack of protection of National Sovereignty, the lack of holding politicians accountable to their words ‘because the other guy is worse’ and then not holding *that* individual accountable EITHER?
Well all the bad apples are in the other party now, donchyaknow?
Like those shielding Mr. Jefferson last year? John Boehner and President Bush, both Republicans in high office.
Considering the amount of corporate backing for *both* parties, is it any wonder that corporations are now setting the tone on immigration, trade, and, because of those, National Sovereignty for the US. Transnational Capitalism *also* wants to remove Nation States because they are just such a bother to making a good profit… and if you support trade with tyrants, well, you will make the people there free.
Just don’t mind that their rights are granted by government and that such governments tend to abuse their people and confiscate property. And that those governments give direction to their own corporations either directly or indirectly via the laws and funding of same. Making a profit from tyranny is such an uplifting thing!
And then having those same companies look to OUR Nation and aim to do the *same* thing… hey, thats conservative now, isn’t it?
No?
But it is what conservatives have been fighting *for* by adhering to the Republican Party and not asserting the values of the Nation to use trade to uphold liberty and freedom. You know: “No taxation without representation”? Where trade is held accountable to the People of the Nation so as to not encumber them, impoverish them and yet still ensure the debts of the People are paid off?
Well, those were a bunch of radicals in 1776. Agrarian Nation then… not the sort of capitalism we really think about today. Somehow they made freedom without *free trade* because they saw that helping those in need gain an understanding of liberty and freedom was essential, so that they could learn to be free. And we levied tariffs against those that were less free so that they could pay the price of supporting Our freedoms.
Somehow I just don’t hear that from conservatives today, who have decided to stand on the Right… instead of by the Nation. The two capital letter sides, Left and Right, no longer stand with the Nation. That has been made clear and pointedly so.
Conservatism can change America for the better, if they actually decide to uphold those things that are self-evident, and create government amongst men that is accountable to them and hand NO rights to it beyond those needed to govern, and hold legal constructs to harsh and socially valuable standards on threat of liquidating the scofflaws.
From President Jackson’s veto of the National Bank, which held until 1913:
“It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society the farmers, mechanics, and laborers who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing. In the act before me there seems to be a wide and unnecessary departure from these just principles.”
I stand with Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Madison, Hamilton, and quite some few of the anti-federalists who were seeking greater democracy and accountability of government… and with this, I stand with Andy Jackson and Teddy Roosevelt who also saw the need for anti-trust laws as a *start* not an *end* to accountability of corporations.
Lonely place to be, standing next to those folks and upholding what it means to have a Republic. Not a liberal to be seen and the conservatives are damned scarce. But then the Constitution speaks for me and I must uphold my responsibilities *first* so that We can have a Republic together. And to stand by her while the ill winds of tyranny and Empire blow once more…
From the Left.
And the Right.
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FYI!
Do you really want to get pissed, Google, “Islambeg”
You may already know about this but I just learned about it.
Islamberg
Sorry
A dem?… dishonest? … I’m shocked! … /sarc
Haven’t been around much … still catching up… 🙁 … don’t let one of them dems near your new wheels … it’ll tarnish the paint…
Ranando: Islamberg, yes, I’m afraid I’m aware of that. A perfect post for me or you or my other Usual Suspects.
BZ