Friday, October 31, 2003
Lying Politician Off to Prison
All too often it feels like campaign finance laws don't work. Politicians figure out how to cheat, and even when they're caught nothing much happens. Well, today the system actually worked as it should when a North Carolina Judge threw a lying politician in jail. Meg Scott Phipps, the daughter and granddaughter of two former Governors, was busted for lying to coverup illegal campaign finance contributions that she took when running for Agriculture Commissioner. Phipps took illegal contributions from a vendor that wanted a state contract. Then, she used the money to help pay off a former competitors campaign debt, in return for that competitor endorsing her. Then when caught, she lied about it. More details are in the Charlotte Observer here.
This is a perfect example of so many things that are dragging down the moral integrity of our government. First, politicians place winning over everything else. They're willing to lie, cheat, and steal to win an election. Second, money is what makes the political world go round. The more we can get money out of the process, the less of this sort of thing we'll see. Greedy politicians would then chase votes instead of dollars. They might still lie about it, but at least we'd all see what they were up to.
Update: Phipps has now been sentenced for a federal campaign finance violations as well. She'll serve her sentence for this concurrently. Story here.
All too often it feels like campaign finance laws don't work. Politicians figure out how to cheat, and even when they're caught nothing much happens. Well, today the system actually worked as it should when a North Carolina Judge threw a lying politician in jail. Meg Scott Phipps, the daughter and granddaughter of two former Governors, was busted for lying to coverup illegal campaign finance contributions that she took when running for Agriculture Commissioner. Phipps took illegal contributions from a vendor that wanted a state contract. Then, she used the money to help pay off a former competitors campaign debt, in return for that competitor endorsing her. Then when caught, she lied about it. More details are in the Charlotte Observer here.
This is a perfect example of so many things that are dragging down the moral integrity of our government. First, politicians place winning over everything else. They're willing to lie, cheat, and steal to win an election. Second, money is what makes the political world go round. The more we can get money out of the process, the less of this sort of thing we'll see. Greedy politicians would then chase votes instead of dollars. They might still lie about it, but at least we'd all see what they were up to.
Update: Phipps has now been sentenced for a federal campaign finance violations as well. She'll serve her sentence for this concurrently. Story here.
Thursday, October 30, 2003
Enron Chickens Start Coming Home To Roost
Former Enron executive David Delainey plead guilty to insider trading today as part of the investigation into the financial scandal that ripped off thousands of Americans. The government made him pay about $8 million in fines, probably a lot less than he made at the company. Meanwhile, many employees lost their entire pension plans. So far, Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, the real ring leaders of the Enron circus, have not been charged with any wrongdoing. Here's a link to a report that highlights some of Enron's campaign contributions and other questionable ethical moves. Here's another report that indicates that Enron and Arther Anderson may be able to give even more money to poliicians than befor thanks to the newly passed "campaign reform" bill passed by the politicians.
Former Enron executive David Delainey plead guilty to insider trading today as part of the investigation into the financial scandal that ripped off thousands of Americans. The government made him pay about $8 million in fines, probably a lot less than he made at the company. Meanwhile, many employees lost their entire pension plans. So far, Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, the real ring leaders of the Enron circus, have not been charged with any wrongdoing. Here's a link to a report that highlights some of Enron's campaign contributions and other questionable ethical moves. Here's another report that indicates that Enron and Arther Anderson may be able to give even more money to poliicians than befor thanks to the newly passed "campaign reform" bill passed by the politicians.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Here's Your Chance to Ask The Presidential Candidates a Question
The Concord Monitor and Washington Post news papers have teamed up to provide voters with a forum to ask the Democratic presidential candidates questions, live, on the internet. This may be your only chance to hold their feet to the fire and get them to respond to your concerns. Be on the lookout for which candidates really answer questions, and which ones give canned responses that they rehearsed with their consultants ahead of time. Go here for details. The forum starts next week.
The Concord Monitor and Washington Post news papers have teamed up to provide voters with a forum to ask the Democratic presidential candidates questions, live, on the internet. This may be your only chance to hold their feet to the fire and get them to respond to your concerns. Be on the lookout for which candidates really answer questions, and which ones give canned responses that they rehearsed with their consultants ahead of time. Go here for details. The forum starts next week.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Wyoming Politicians Do the Right Thing
A legislative committee in Wyoming voted 9-3 yesterday against a proposal to double the limits on what large donors can give to politicians from $1000 to $2000. The proposal was similar to the so-called reform contained in the federal McCain-Feingold bill. The Wyoming proposal would also have allowed for direct contributions from corporations and labor unions, a practise that is currently banned. A story from the Casper Star Tribune is availabe here. Minutes from the committee session are not yet on the web, but they should soon be posted here. Senator Katheryn Sessions, who is quoted in the article as speaking out against the increase, can be reached here.
A legislative committee in Wyoming voted 9-3 yesterday against a proposal to double the limits on what large donors can give to politicians from $1000 to $2000. The proposal was similar to the so-called reform contained in the federal McCain-Feingold bill. The Wyoming proposal would also have allowed for direct contributions from corporations and labor unions, a practise that is currently banned. A story from the Casper Star Tribune is availabe here. Minutes from the committee session are not yet on the web, but they should soon be posted here. Senator Katheryn Sessions, who is quoted in the article as speaking out against the increase, can be reached here.
Monday, October 27, 2003
Upcoming Democracy Conference in Washington, DC
Reform-minded citizens of all stripes will be gathering in Washington, DC on Nov 22-23 to talk about how we can take our country back. Conferences like these are a great way to meet other reformers, hone your skills, and recharge your batteries. I'll be speaking on a panel dealing with "Enhancing the Vote," as well as running workshops out building a populist reform movement. More details are available here. There is an early registration discount that expires October 31.
Reform-minded citizens of all stripes will be gathering in Washington, DC on Nov 22-23 to talk about how we can take our country back. Conferences like these are a great way to meet other reformers, hone your skills, and recharge your batteries. I'll be speaking on a panel dealing with "Enhancing the Vote," as well as running workshops out building a populist reform movement. More details are available here. There is an early registration discount that expires October 31.
