Republican Rot - Is Congress's GOP majority becoming as corrupt as the Dems were? ~ John Fund

Opinion Journal ^ | February 9, 2004 | John Fund

[Elle Bee]

One way you can tell that Republicans have become the dominant political party in Washington is to watch them cash in.

Rep. Billy Tauzin of Louisiana has announced that next Monday he will step down as chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. Observers expect he will soon leave Congress to become the chief lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry at an annual salary that's rumored to approach $2.5 million, a record for a trade association head. Mr. Tauzin isn't doing anything illegal, but what's good for him isn't good for the country or for the Republican Party. Their voters are already showing signs of concern that congressional Republicans are taking on the bad habits of the Democrats they ousted from power in 1994.

[Elle Bee]

then why are you banishing Fund there?

.

[MissAmericanPie]

"...Bob Livingston, the former Appropriations Committee chairman who now operates one of Washington's most popular lobbying shops, says such rules are impractical and would prevent qualified people from seeking seats in Congress "because they won't be able to provide financial security for their families after leaving office"

The Founding Fathers never intended political service to be a career job. Men wishing to serve their country sacrificed their time and careers to do so, then went back to what they normally did for a living. That we have career politicians is 90% of the problem in D.C.

[KantianBurke]

Last week, the House Ethics Committee revealed that for the past two months it has been investigating an allegation by Rep. Nick Smith, a Michigan Republican, that party leaders offered him a bribe in exchange for his vote on the Medicare bill. Mr. Smith voted against the bill and later said unnamed members of his party had said they'd contribute $100,000 to his son's congressional campaign if he had voted in favor. If not, Mr. Smith said, they told him they'd see that the younger Mr. Smith lost his race. Mr. Smith later recanted, saying his claim of bribery was "technically inaccurate" and has since refused to discuss the matter further. (Either a good lawyer has advised him to keep his mouth shut or the GOP thugs offered to overlook his opposition to a bill that's already passed and help his son out PROVIDED he dismiss his charges)

But other GOP members stood by their stories of strong-arm tactics. South Carolina's Rep. Jim DeMint said contributors threatened to withhold donations for his upcoming Senate race unless he voted for the Medicare bill, while Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri said a state legislator threatened to run against him. Rep. Tom Feeney of Florida was told his path towards a party leadership position would be blocked if he voted against the bill.

Republicans should view such tactics and the bidding war for Mr. Tauzin on K Street as warning signs of ideological dry rot.(FR demonstrates this clearly. There are many posters who consider conservative values as hampering.)

[George W. Bush]

The speaker of the GOP legistlure in Floriduh in 2000, now holding a House seat, strongly opposed the Pill Bill.

Since it passed by only a few votes, Rove had Bush calling the last few votes to pressure it personally.

The congressman said something like "I'm a conservative and I came here to cut spending, not expand it."

Bush snapped (as I recall) "So did I" and slammed down the phone.

Bush/Rove found their last few votes, no doubt by pork distribution and/or intimidation. The Floriduh legislator got sent to the back benches, their future in the GOP now in question.

And people claim he's conservative. I guess this is one of those times where the 'compassionate' overwhelmed the 'conservative'.

Merely an anecdote but an example I think is not isolated.

[The Old Hoosier]

Give him credit, it's Tom Feeney (R.-Fla.), a great man.

[George W. Bush]

I was giving him credit as a conservative. My recall of his name failed.

We had a thread last week that had the story in his own words.

[nonliberal]

Rep. Billy Tauzin of Louisiana has announced that next Monday he will step down as chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. Observers expect he will soon leave Congress to become the chief lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry at an annual salary that's rumored to approach $2.5 million, a record for a trade association head.

How did Billy boy vote on the prescription drug bill?

[Austin Willard Wright]

The California legislature has term limits.

[Carolinamom]

I only wish some company would offer Senator Robert Byrd a lucrative contract, effectively removing him from the US Senate.

[joesbucks]

Because he's written a stinging article on Bush.

[joesbucks]

I'm sorry, let me correct that. A stinging story on republicans. Our site is now centered on supporting republicans over democrats, not comparing republicans to democrats. Such stories only inflame the malcontents to start 3rd party efforts which ultimately end up in defacto votes for dems.

[Dumb_Ox]

^

[Rodney King]

I'm sorry, let me correct that. A stinging story on republicans. Our site is now centered on supporting republicans over democrats, not comparing republicans to democrats. Such stories only inflame the malcontents to start 3rd party efforts which ultimately end up in defacto votes for dems.

I agree that we should support republicans over democrats. That is exactly why we should not stand idly by will the GOP develops a reputation for the kinds of corruption that eventually drove the Dems out of the majority position in congress.