In Between Hill Stints, Connie Mack Chief Of Staff Was Paid By Foreign Lobbying Interests, Anti-Chavez Groups
President Obama made what should be an uncontroversial statement the other day. He told a Spanish language television station that Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez does not pose a serious threat to the United States. Unless flamboyant language is considered a threat, there’s little to argue with Obama’s statement. Venezuela has not engaged in or threatened
Continue Reading >>>
Cuomo Calls For Curbing Money In Politics, But Will Money Influence His Decision on Fracking?
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that reducing the role of money in politics will move to the top of his agenda: He will begin a push for campaign finance reform in the state. This is great news. But some are questioning whether Cuomo is ready to put his money where his mouth is
Continue Reading >>>
LINKS: Corruption Is Up In The United States
New York Times: The Spreading Scourge of Corporate Corruption The misconduct of the financial industry no longer surprises most Americans. Only about one in five has much trust in banks, according to Gallup polls, about half the level in 2007. And it’s not just banks that are frowned upon. Trust in big business overall is declining.
Continue Reading >>>
Record Polluter Lobbying Contributes To Record Heat
It was so hot in D.C. this weekend that a plane trying to depart from Reagan National Airport actually sunk into melting tarmac. In Colorado, wildfires have destroyed over 600 homes in a matter of days. Meanwhile, the recent “derecho” storm, one so severe it needs a special name, killed at least 23 people and left
Continue Reading >>>
Congressman Schock Violated Earmark Ban With Tariffs Exemption Requests To His Campaign Contributors
On March 19 at Finish Line Ford in Peoria, Illinois, Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL) hosted a big fundraiser with Mitt Romney. Tickets cost $250 or $500 per person, or $5,000 for a table of 10 and a guarantee of a photograph with Schock and Romney. At least 8 employees of Caterpillar inc., according to FEC filings, were in attendance. Four gave
Continue Reading >>>
New Health Insurance-Funded Front Group Airing New Ads Calling For Health Reform Repeal, Attacks Democrats
As House Republican again prepare to repeal every single provision of health reform, industry-funded fronts are on the warpath to provide political attacks in key districts across the country. Yesterday, American Action Network, a 501(c)(4) front that does not disclose its donors, uploaded a series of ads to its YouTube page that showcase the type
Continue Reading >>>
Political Corruption Enhances the Influence of the One Percent
The Atlantic: Big Campaign Spending: Government by the 1% Here’s what we must come to see: America has lost the capacity to govern. On a wide range of critical issues — from global warming to tax reform, from effective financial regulation to real health-care change, from the deficit to defense spending — we have lost
Continue Reading >>>
John Deere, CVS Caremark, HP, MillerCoors, And Best Buy Drop ALEC
Today, five new companies have pledged to stop funding the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). They include John Deere, CVS Caremark, MillerCoors, HP, and Best Buy. According to the activist group ColorOfChange: “Over the last few weeks, we have closely followed the issues surrounding the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and have heard from numerous
Continue Reading >>>