Long gone is the notion that Pelosi and crew actually meant to keep their promise to “drain the Congressional swamp of corruption”… hell, they’re not even bothering to try and keep up the facade any longer. Their message is now, loud and clear, “We’re Democrats, we’re corrupt, and to hell with the rest of you.”

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democrats rejected a Republican bid Tuesday to reprimand Rep. John Murtha, a senior lawmaker accused of threatening legislative reprisals against a GOP member who had crossed him.

Before and after the largely party-line vote, which caused some Democrats discomfort, Republicans taunted Democratic leaders about their campaign promises to run a more ethical and open Congress.

So much discomfort that all but 2 voted against taking ethics action against one of their own.

Murtha, known for his gruff manner and fondness for pork barrel projects, did not dispute claims that he charged across the House floor May 17 to confront Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.

To make matters worse, the threat violated ethics rules put in place by this very Congress in January.

So what was Rogers doing that got Murtha so mad? He was trying to strike a $23 million earmark Murtha tried to attach to some legislation. You know, earmarks… those pork-barrel appropriations for special interests in a representative’s home district.

Rogers had tried unsuccessfully to strike a $23 million Murtha earmark—a targeted spending item—for a drug intelligence center in Murtha’s district.

In a House speech Monday, Rogers said Murtha threatened him by saying, “you will not get any earmarks now and forever.” Rogers, backed by House GOP leaders, said Murtha’s threat violated congressional ethics rules.

But never fear, according to the AP, Murtha is just “known for his gruff manner and fondness for pork barrel projects.”

And I guess William Jefferson just has a fondness for using freezers as piggy banks and Dianne Feinstein just has a fondness for appropriating government funds through her husband’s checking account. And the most ethical Congress ever just has a fondness for taking money from lobbyists.

“Democrats” and “ethics” go together like “Muslims” and “peace”.

1. I grant that this is an unfortunate trend - more likely than not to get worse. Just unlikely to get as bad as Republican grift.

   Comment by djernigan — 11:38 pm
   

2. I excoriate all “politicians;” regardless of party affiliation. To me, a “politician” is someone who makes a profession of being continuously re-elected to Congress and ‘plays the game’ accordingly; he/she no longer has the best interest of the nation or the people whom they were elected to ‘represent,’ rather ‘self’ replaces ‘service.’ When a politician gets to the point where he/she is comfortable issuing a threat; it is time for that politician to be dismissed – period!

   I favor a single six-year term for Congress; one election – one term – then it is over; no re-elections, no political self aggrandizement, no misrepresenting the people. John Murtha is a case in point. He became enraged that Rodgers challenged his earmarking $23M for a drug intelligence center that was under performing to the point that the administration had decided to close by not funding. Murtha not only attempted a backdoor means of countering the administration – he has now succeeded in wasting another $23M of the taxpayers’ money by keeping an under performing facility open another year. Too, his bad behavior (bullying) has just received positive reinforcement by partisans. Congress has become a painful joke. Murtha is a “politician” in the worst sense; the nation would be better off if he were to retire immediately!

   Comment by Old Soldier — 5:32 am
   

3. It took awhile - but I am with you on this - Old Soldier. The democrats desrve to be held accoutnable for their actions - so keep it up, Tex.

   Comment by djernigan — 10:37 am
   

4. That’s a good stand, djernigan. It surprises me when Republicans don’t excoriate their own (such as Duke Cunningham). It discredits them from standing up for others. The same goes for Democrats.

   I don’t think corruption is a single-party issue. Obviously it happens on both sides of the aisle, and both sides need to be held accountable.

   Comment by thegentlecricket — 11:41 am
   

5. […] 7. Violating the very ethics rules put in place by your very own Congress. […]

   Pingback by Texas Rainmaker » American Confidence in Pelosi’s Swamp at Historic Low — 6:47 am
   

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

You must be logged in to post a comment.