Abramoff is a Republican scandal....

[Peregrinator]

...says the National Review, a noted leftwing blog.....


But this is, in its essence, a Republican scandal, and any attempt to portray it otherwise is a misdirection.

 

[Le Jacquelope]

That article is kinda off. I recall, back in my Republican days, how much it hurt to see the S&L scandal getting pegged squarely on the Republicans. The shit rolled straight uphill to Dubya, with Alan Cranston a notable Democrat exception.

 

[Cap’n AMatrixca]

No, it's a political scandal.

 

[Peregrinator]

No, it's a political scandal.

Did you read the link?

 

[woody54]

That article is kinda off. I recall, back in my Republican days, how much it hurt to see the S&L scandal getting pegged squarely on the Republicans. The shit rolled straight uphill to Dubya, with Alan Cranston a notable Democrat exception.

The problem is systemic, not partisan. Deflection is a great political defence and is well used by bothe sides.

I recall seeing a network of interested parties involved in the wider S & L scandals, and the wider political spectrum of rich names were represented.

Dirty dealing is not restricted to political activities and when lobbyists and easy money for favours is so readily available, the results you get are only to be expected.

Its the system that needs tightening. The crookedness will then dissipate somewhat. The biggest growth in Washington under Bush has been the Lobbying industry. That is a major red flag for corruption.

 

[Peregrinator]

What an interesting set of responses.

 

[Le Jacquelope]

The problem is systemic, not partisan. Deflection is a great political defence and is well used by bothe sides.

I recall seeing a network of interested parties involved in the wider S & L scandals, and the wider political spectrum of rich names were represented.

Dirty dealing is not restricted to political activities and when lobbyists and easy money for favours is so readily available, the results you get are only to be expected.

Its the system that needs tightening. The crookedness will then dissipate somewhat. The biggest growth in Washington under Bush has been the Lobbying industry. That is a major red flag for corruption.

Which is why that unscrupulous bastard Newt Gingrich is left with the cause of fighting Republican corruption. Who would have thought that disgraceful bastard (he divorced his wife while she was recovering from cancer in the hospital and then went out to preach "family values" to America) would be a crusader against Republican corruption?

 

[Lavared]

back in my Republican days

That is interesting.

 

[woody54]

Which is why that unscrupulous bastard Newt Gingrich is left with the cause of fighting Republican corruption. Who would have thought that disgraceful bastard (he divorced his wife while she was recovering from cancer in the hospital and then went out to preach "family values" to America) would be a crusader against Republican corruption?

This is why you need to free your mind from the structured partisan imagery and treat the whole lot as mainly a buch of self serving crooks paid off by interest groups.

They all attand the same Lodge groups and CFR meetings, they are all the same.

 

[LukkyKnight]

Most of what's come to light implicates Republicans, but I have no doubt the trail will lead into various and sundry Democrats, too.

What I find most amusing is the giving back of his tainted money, as though that absolves the original recipient of any wrong-doing. I mean, did they not think he was peddling influence? "OK, you caught me with my pockets full - if I give it back there's no crime, right?" Even petty shoplifters know better.

 

[kotori]

Most of what's come to light implicates Republicans, but I have no doubt the trail will lead into various and sundry Democrats, too...

Perhaps, but I heard this story on the radio today about how Gingrich & Co. started the "K Street Initiative" after winning the House in '94, rewarding lobbyists that hired Republicans and donated to Republicans, and punishing those who didn't. According to this story (Juan Williams on NPR this morning), pre-'94, lobbyists were about 50/50 Rep/Dem; todays they're about 85/15. Chickens roost.