Lobbyists' influence on Sacramento. Oracle was buying access

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | May 8, 2002 | David Lazarus

[John Jorsett]

State officials are flabbergasted that Redwood City's Oracle Corp. could enmesh California in a dubious $95 million software contract. How, they ask, could this have happened?

Seems to me the real question is: How come it doesn't happen more often?

[eureka!]

"It's the system that needs repair."

Nope. It's the corrupt political hacks like Grayout and Lockyer that needs repair, or rather, incarceration...

[mattdono]

Wait a minute...you mean the meek and mild Oracle was doing something that was wrong!? How could this be? </sarcasm>

Ellison is an egomaniacal jerk. He, single-handedly, makes me side with Microsoft, even with their alleged misdeeds.

[John Jorsett]

FYI

[mattdono]

(((ping)))

[Grut]

The First Amendment already guarantees 'access' through the right to petition the government for redress of grievances; so what is it, exactly, that is being bought here?

[randita]

It's the system that needs repair.

No it's not. It's the Democrat Party that needs repair.

[gubamyster]

California's political system is awash in lobbying money -- more so than any other state in the country. Is it any wonder that it sometimes looks like our public officials are merely cogs in a larger, smellier machine?

According to a new report from Washington's Center for Public Integrity, lobbyists spent more than $900 million on California lawmakers from 1995 through 2000. This is far more than the amount spent in any other state (with New York a distant second).

Where are all the whiny Liberals who constantly accuse the Republicans of being the party of big business? Why hasn’t the LA Times been investigating this? Oh, that’s right, CA legislature is full of DemocRats.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

calgov2002:

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[ElkGroveDan]

Seems to me the real question is: How come it doesn't happen more often?

Hello???!!!! Listen up stupid columnist. I happens all the time!! Especially in the Davis administration. That's how they DO BUSINESS!

Someone should do a column on the SJ Merc's uncovering of Oraclegate and ask the question about honest investigative reporting, "How come it doesn't happen more often?"

[Grampa Dave]

I'M NOT A CROOK!

GW AND DICK CHENEY DID IT!

SIMON DID IT!

I'M INNOCENT! I'VE BEEN FRAMED!

GSA/LOGICON DID IT!

I KNOW NOTHING!

I SAW NOTHING! HEARD NOTHING! I SAID NOTHING, BUT GIVE ME MO MONEY TO STOP THE SIMON JUGGERNAUT!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I laugh everytime I see Davis on the bear and your following comments!

[heleny]

from the title: Oracle was buying access

One problem is that access to Gray Davis costs money, not just for Oracle, but also for the teachers union, prison union, loggers, etc.
Another problem is that he makes so many policy decisions based on the money he has or might receive, instead of for a principle or for the interests of the people.

The blame should not be shifted (to Oracle, et al) away from Davis. The SF Chronicle news article yesterday was much better than today's editorial.

[Bush2000]

These are the same folks who lobbied the DOJ to sue Microsoft. The same ones who want to "seed" the federal government with Oracle database software for a national ID system. It's truly pathetic how low they'll go ...

[Liz]

.....Oracle was buying access.....

Surely you jest.(/sarcasm off)

[Grampa Dave]

What is really great is these cartoons come from Davis's website.

[stands2reason]

Here we go. Apologia for Gray Davis, opus 12, vol. xviii. "It's not his fault, the system made him do it! Everyone does it, that's just how it's done in California."