tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post2947207834590116592..comments2020-04-11T03:30:02.282-05:00Gary R. Welshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-8078368459463447752008-03-02T23:51:00.000-05:002008-03-02T23:51:00.000-05:00Special Interest Money is Nothing More Than Bribery <BR/><BR/>Members of Congress have managed to create a seemingly lawful system whereby they can legally accept money from lobbyists or other persons who represent special interest groups that are actively involved in trying to influence those same politicians in future votes. The special interest groups that contribute large sums of money to political campaigns want and expect “their politicians” to enact (or help in some way) legislation that favors the group that provided the money. In America today, we are living under a political system that not only allows, but encourages and condones the legalized bribery of members of congress. That is why I believe “America has the best congress that special interest money can buy.”<BR/><BR/>Compare these two examples:<BR/><BR/>1. If a known drug dealer gives a police officer in a narcotics enforcement unit a $1,000. “Contribution” for the policeman’s ball and says “I hope you consider looking the other way when I’m selling drugs on the corner.” Whether or not the police officer takes any kind of official action that benefits the drug dealer, if he accepts the money, he commits the crime of bribery, right?<BR/><BR/>2. If a lobbyist or member of a special interest group gives a member of congress a $1,000. “Contribution” for his campaign and says: I hope you consider our position on any upcoming votes that affect us.” Whether or not the congressmen or Senator takes some kind of official action that benefits that person or organization, if he accepts the money, isn’t that still bribery?<BR/><BR/>Neither of these public servants should be taking money from people or organizations to influence their decisions they will make during the course of performing their official duties. Shouldn’t both situations be considered illegal conduct by those involved? Well, not if you are a member of congress. Bribery is defined as “a corrupt activity in which a person offers or receives goods, money, services, etc. to sway a person’s opinion, action, or decision.” Merely accepting the goods, money, services, etc, is a crime. It is immaterial whether or not the person receiving the benefit, does anything. In the case of members of congress, however, receiving money is only considered to be bribery if the briber explicitly says to the politician (the one being bribed): "I'm giving you this money as payment for a yes or no vote on the house floor tomorrow."<BR/><BR/>The reality of political life in America today is that politicians are being bribed every day by special interest groups that want them to legislate in a way that benefits them and not the American people. Americans are bearing the brunt of this horrific situation in ways that affect us all every day of our lives. The current campaign finance laws are built on a legal fiction. The legal fiction is that campaign contributions from special interest groups are considered to be legal and within the law even though they are actually bribes. Money given to members of congress by special interest groups is nothing more than "legalized bribery." Through bundled contributions and PAC giving, industries, labor unions, and other special interest groups pay to persuade lawmakers to vote their way on the issues.<BR/><BR/>No matter how it is said, Special Interest dollars buys votes and it also buys elections. The real scandal in the nation’s capitol is that this everyday bribery remains legal. Candidates who please their special interest money donors through their votes, are usually rewarded with more bribes, I mean more campaign contributions. This legalized bribery system has created a “Privileged Oligarchy” made up of selected members of congress and big donor elites from wealthy special interest groups. This oligarchy is currently governing this country and making decisions that oftentimes are not in the best interests of the American people, but rather in favor of the special interest groups.<BR/><BR/>Our elections should be about what American citizens want, not about what big special interest donors want. <BR/><BR/>I will support any legislation that defines the receipt of special interest money by members of congress as bribery and therefore illegal. <BR/><BR/>I also will support legislation that removes the monetary limits on individual contributions to campaigns, as the US Constitution does not give Congress the authority to set such limits because it limits the citizens’ free speech rights.<BR/><BR/>I support the continuation of legislation requiring the full and immediate disclosure of all contributions to Federal election campaigns. No exceptions or loopholes allowed.<BR/><BR/>Although I do not fully support the concept of government financing of campaigns, the following two pieces of legislation, currently introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives, are a step in the right direction and I would support them as well. They are H.R. 1614 “The Clean Money, Clean Elections Act of 2007” and S.936 “The Fair Elections Now Act.”<BR/><BR/>By:<BR/>JOHN W. WALLACE<BR/>Candidate for Congress<BR/>New York’s 20th Congressional District<BR/>www.johnwallaceforcongress.comJOHN WALLACEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01777758207354863997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-69321150486195576412008-02-25T11:56:00.000-05:002008-02-25T11:56:00.000-05:00Does this surprise anyone? Carson can be bought. Just ask Cripe Architects.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-60574380904061099002008-02-25T07:11:00.000-05:002008-02-25T07:11:00.000-05:00When will all of you learn. The Democrats do not care how they win an election as long as they win. andre will play the same game as his grandmother. Both he and his wife are Black Muslims.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-857368500481080402008-02-24T09:07:00.000-05:002008-02-24T09:07:00.000-05:00The Carson group did the same thing last time at Robin Run. I thought I would be nice and tell them that the Robin Run people were going to ask them to remove the signs ( so why waste the time to put them out ) - but no they would not take my advice - they put them all out - then got told to take them all back up.<BR/><BR/>:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-41194124826619481412008-02-24T02:15:00.000-05:002008-02-24T02:15:00.000-05:00<I>For what it's worth, there are multiple homes with Fortville rural addresses which are in Marion County. I am not sure if they're in the 7th.</I><BR/><BR/>Mr. Durham's manor on 113th Street is obviously not in Marion County.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-17435431554387116762008-02-23T23:46:00.000-05:002008-02-23T23:46:00.000-05:00Advance Indiana--I appreciate your concern, but I was merely pointing out that you made a factually incorrect statement. As far as the "kook-aid," I assure you Mr. Elrod's views on economic issues and the issue of choice assisted me in my decision to tone it down. While Andre made a ridiculous statement about raising the minimum wage to $12.00, ending the Iraq War and repealing the Bush tax cuts are more important to me.<BR/><BR/>I have faith in David Orentlicher's abilities. And since the Republicans don't have a competitive primary, you might want to encourage some of your friends to cross over and vote for him.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I'm still trying to figure out what Thomas working for the Democratic Party has to do with my posting habits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-41350774840664942872008-02-23T23:28:00.000-05:002008-02-23T23:28:00.000-05:00I'm fairly new to the whole political arena but I do have to seriously question what Andre brings to the table. It seems to me he has rhetoric but no actual concept of what will be good for the Country or the 7th. In fairness, I wasn't a big fan of Julia either but I'm fairly confident that if my choice were a Julia clone or Andre I'd go with the clone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-44692782299917107322008-02-23T23:27:00.000-05:002008-02-23T23:27:00.000-05:00Someone wrote:<BR/>"AR, since you are into repudiating and judging other people, would you repudiate your congressman for:<BR/><BR/>[1] adulterous acts<BR/>[2] fathering a child out of wedlock while married to another woman<BR/>[3] shooting melons in his back yard trying to prove a murder conspiracy<BR/><BR/>[4] missing votes in Congress to play golf<BR/><BR/>[5] making a national fool of himself at the HGH hearings and steroid abuse<BR/><BR/>[6] being a puppet of the Miami Cuban community."<BR/><BR/>Well, for the record, I'm not a candidate for office, so I'm not sure that my repudiation is anywhere near significant. I clearly think #4 is a serious matter. I don't think #6 is really an issue, frankly, and just seems silly. Nor is #5 particularly important, I don't think. <BR/><BR/>Some of what you raise, though, I would really object to and have serious questions about my Congressman. (And, as I've said before, I'm no fan of Dan Burton and can't wait until he's gone.)<BR/><BR/>I would say, though, the issue of fathering a child out of wedlock is much more precarious - there, you aren't just talking about an affair, you're talking about another person who resulted from such a thing, and I don't think that's really a political issue.<BR/><BR/>The fact that Andre Carson is running for office and will likely be the Congressman for the 7th District is important here. Absolutely he should repudiate such comments (as, I think, Senator Obama did.) For me, as a Jew, that's a serious matter. It's not a partisan one for me. There are lots of Democrats that I like, so it's not partisan for me.<BR/><BR/>But if he's going to represent such a large number of Jews (many of whom are my relatives and who themselves are outraged), he ought to speak out directly on this point. And to date, contrary to what Wilson says, he has not done so. Yes, he has general statements about equality and non-descrimination, but they do not specifically address the hate-monger with which he has been associated. That's serious.<BR/><BR/>Why has he not done so? I think the answer is clear. He is an anti-Semite who sees no need to repudiate such claims. I've never met him, so it's pure speculation on my part. However, I cannot fathom why someone would not repudiate such vitriolic and hateful comments unless he or she truly agreed with them.<BR/><BR/>ARAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-24768679228586354572008-02-23T22:50:00.000-05:002008-02-23T22:50:00.000-05:00AR, since you are into repudiating and judging other people, would you repudiate your congressman for:<BR/><BR/>[1] adulterous acts<BR/>[2] fathering a child out of wedlock while married to another woman<BR/>[3] shooting melons in his back yard trying to prove a murder conspiracy<BR/><BR/>[4] missing votes in Congress to play golf<BR/><BR/>[5] making a national fool of himself at the HGH hearings and steroid abuse<BR/><BR/>[6] being a puppet of the Miami Cuban community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-75759288334615712632008-02-23T22:43:00.000-05:002008-02-23T22:43:00.000-05:00For what it's worth, there are multiple homes with Fortville rural addresses which are in Marion County. I am not sure if they're in the 7th.<BR/><BR/>And by any measure, Wilson, Andre should've returned the PAKPAC contribution. It'll cause him more trouble than he can count--mark my words. <BR/><BR/>Marti, swewetie, did yu ever think that Mr. Elrod might not want Sen. McCain campaigning for him in the 7th? A distinct possibility. W isn't very popular in the 7th, and I'm guessing McCain won't be, either. At any rate, after he campaigned here for two hours, he needed a nap, thus no time was left over for an Elrod appearance.<BR/><BR/>Marty, as my kids say: check yourself, before you wreck yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-79885579450983374972008-02-23T22:39:00.000-05:002008-02-23T22:39:00.000-05:00Wilson,<BR/><BR/>BELIEVE ME, I am working on replacing the congressman up here. :-)<BR/><BR/>And if elected, Andre will represent all of Indiana, not just the 7th District. <BR/><BR/>All I've ever asked is that he repudiate the comments of LF. That's it. I don't care if Andre is Muslim; I don't care that he's Julia's grandson; and I certainly don't care that he's a Democrat.<BR/><BR/>I care about his anti-Semitism. If he would repudiate LF's comments, I think MANY people would be relieved.<BR/><BR/>The fact that I don't live in the 7th District is immaterial. If that's your standard, then you'd better stop talking about legislators who are from other districts than the one in which you live. I mean, if that's the standard you are going to apply, then it applies to you as well.<BR/><BR/>ARAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-63056685150163178422008-02-23T22:19:00.000-05:002008-02-23T22:19:00.000-05:00Andre is a sexist! Wilson has the tape, I am sure he was told to destroy it by now. I laugh everytime Andre's commercial come on with his wife and talk about what kind of future they want for their daughter. Based on what Andre said, clearly they want men to treat their daughter like an object and to be paid less than a man even though they do the same job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-7207926390731498282008-02-23T21:59:00.000-05:002008-02-23T21:59:00.000-05:00AngryRepublican: not to worry! Since you live outside the 7th District up in Hamilton County, you won't be a constituent of Congressman André Carson's. You're represented by Republican Danny Burton, a most Christian man (just ask him!)...<BR/><BR/>Why not spend your anger at changing the Representative in your own area instead of trying to hassle others elsewhere?Wilson46201https://www.blogger.com/profile/14214029150233485312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-40545749728190430752008-02-23T21:52:00.000-05:002008-02-23T21:52:00.000-05:00http://www.AndreCarson.com<BR/>has the contact info for the campaign & yardsigns.<BR/><BR/>In the interests of fairness: Shepard2008.com & JonElrod.comWilson46201https://www.blogger.com/profile/14214029150233485312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-53731063699098181052008-02-23T21:42:00.000-05:002008-02-23T21:42:00.000-05:00Wilson, where can I get some yard signs.......I want one and I have 4 or 5 friends who want one?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-75558411013160654402008-02-23T21:37:00.000-05:002008-02-23T21:37:00.000-05:00Wilson wrote:<BR/>"(Interestingly, I was informed recently by a prominent local Muslim (not André) that it's OK to serve pork to others, it just cant be eaten by Muslims. Not that André Carson is planning a hog roast but it might be a good fundraising idea! Thanks!)"<BR/><BR/>Will he be trying to serve pork to his Jewish constituents, since he has demonstrated he holds them in so little regard?<BR/><BR/>ARAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-7150723357780148502008-02-23T21:26:00.000-05:002008-02-23T21:26:00.000-05:00<I>At least he lives in Marion County and has a business in the 7th District.</I><BR/><BR/>Fortville isn't in Marion County by any stretch of the imagination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-82595936780162085762008-02-23T21:00:00.000-05:002008-02-23T21:00:00.000-05:00Nope!Wilson46201https://www.blogger.com/profile/14214029150233485312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-32086857952521010232008-02-23T20:50:00.000-05:002008-02-23T20:50:00.000-05:00Wilson, Didn't anyone from JMCC Church tell you it was illegal to place 200 political yard signs on church property the other night?Gary R. Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-11207314571212466522008-02-23T20:48:00.000-05:002008-02-23T20:48:00.000-05:00Surprised to see you commenting over here, Vox Populi. You're normally over at the other blog done by the young man on the Democratic Party's payroll. That's the same party collecting 5-figure payments from the late Congresswoman's campaign while she was dying late last year. I hear the Carson folks gave you some Kook-Aid to drink on Tuesday night and you left there thinking that David O would still have a prayer of beating Carson in the primary even if he won the special election. You better visit someone for an anecdote real quick. Unless Andre is defeated on March 11, David O, Carolene Mays, Woody Myers, et al don't have a chance against Carson in that 8-candidate field, particularly when Carson's name sits atop the long list of candidates.Gary R. Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-81750162090843758212008-02-23T20:47:00.000-05:002008-02-23T20:47:00.000-05:00The thousands of red yard signs say: <B>André Carson for Congress</B>.Wilson46201https://www.blogger.com/profile/14214029150233485312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-28808949136944169212008-02-23T20:12:00.000-05:002008-02-23T20:12:00.000-05:00Make up your own mind about the 3 candidates for Congress tomorrow morning at 9:30am on WTHR, Ch.13, when they'll appear jointly for questioning...<BR/><BR/>(Interestingly, I was informed recently by a prominent local Muslim (not André) that it's OK to serve pork to others, it just cant be eaten by Muslims. Not that André Carson is planning a hog roast but it might be a good fundraising idea! Thanks!)Wilson46201https://www.blogger.com/profile/14214029150233485312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-62295127659667567192008-02-23T20:00:00.000-05:002008-02-23T20:00:00.000-05:00Gary,<BR/><BR/>The DCCC is not funding Caron's campaign ads. The DCCC can only offer support in the form of attack ads or issue ads, and they can't have the candidate they are supporting in them. Their ad campaign is seperate from the Carson ad campaign.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-34790193849239269762008-02-23T19:54:00.000-05:002008-02-23T19:54:00.000-05:00Whats the matter Wilson46201?<BR/>Can't find a defense for your boy, André, so you have to pick on the opponent?<BR/>What André did is illegal! All you can do is state the lack of advertising by Elrod?<BR/>Man, you need to wake up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-25440163720089039962008-02-23T19:45:00.000-05:002008-02-23T19:45:00.000-05:00I have seen Elrod yard Signs in the PIKE area - No sign of any Carson signs.<BR/><BR/>Will they be RED and state "I HEART ANDRE" ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com