- Sunday, 12 July 2009
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It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them - Alfred Adler
Telco cash helps Democrats accept wiretapping bill
THE BILL which gave retroactive immunity for telecom companies helping the security services in an illegal wiretapping scandal was finally backed by 94 Democrats whom the telcos had given lots of nice campaign dosh.
Apparently the 94 had a change of heart and many were left wondering why.
Now MAPLight.org has published a breakdown of contributions received from Telco PACS by the 94 Dems who experienced the change of heart.
Basically Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint gave PAC contributions averaging $8,359 to each Democrat who changed their position to support immunity for Telcos and only $4,987 to each Democrat who remained opposed to immunity for Telcos.
More than 88 per cent of the Dems who changed to supporting immunity received PAC contributions from Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint during the last three years.
Some democrats got more than others. It has been claimed that Nancy Pelosi received $24,500, Steny Hoyer banked $29,000, James Clyburn pocketed $29,500, Rahm Emanuel trousered $28,000, Frederick Boucher took $27,500 and Gregory Meeks made $26,000.
There is a lot of bile in the bogsphere about all this. Mostly because it seemed that the Democrats could be bought so cheaply. Particularly as the Telcos would have had to shell out much more if they had gone to court. µ
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Self seeking opportunists with their snouts in the trough.

Isn't western democracy a wonderful thing?
I think "cashed", "got", "capitalized with" and maybe "earned" are missing ;-)... It could be improved with some (more) names :-)

A good laugh in the morning is best to a good day. Keep it up !
Me no running no telcom company. Me poor IT-nician guy trying to immigrate (or emigrate, depends on what side you're looking from....).
Do you think a can find a Democrat (or a Rep, for that matter) wiling to grant me a green card for a pair of tacos? Or a double-decker menu?
This has very poor optics for an election year, and will leave many eligible voters sitting on their hands. Of course, that is nothing new.

What exactly is the difference between the two political parties? You may well ask.
Politicians!

The pigs have refused to hunt for any more truffles until YOU leave!
I'm far from a republican, but I straddle the fence. Anywho, as much as I'd hate to see republicans in control of the house again, all of these politicians ( most likely both sides of the house are in on this) should be fired and bared from ever participating in public service EVER again. Taking money to change legislation is criminal, and should be considered treasonous.
The reason the democratic leadership is largely supporting immunity for the telcos is rather simple. 

A few years back when Bush went to the telcos to request they comply with his expanded (illegal) spy program, many of the top dogs like Pelosi were briefed by the White House and THEMSELVES GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT. 

The Democrats are in fact just as responsible as Bush. They knew about it from the start, and now fear that people will go back and hold them accountable as well.