$75,000: the amount of money that the head of the powerful tax-writing committee, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), was forced to report on his taxes after the discovery that he had not reported income from a Costa Rican rental property. His excuses for the failure started with blaming his wife, then his accountant and finally the fact that he didn't speak Spanish.
$133,900: the amount Fannie Mae "invested" in Chris Dodd (D-CT), head of the powerful Senate Banking Committee, presumably to repel oversight of the GSE prior to its meltdown. Said meltdown helped touch off the current economic crisis. In only a few years time, Fannie also "invested" over $105,000 in then-Senator Barack Obama.
$800,000: the amount of "sweetheart" mortgages Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) received from Countrywide Financial, the details for which he has refused to release details despite months of promises to do so. Countrywide was once the nation's largest mortgage lender and linked to Government-Sponsored Entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Their meltdown precipitated the current financial crisis. Just days ago in Pennsylvania, Countrywide was forced to pay $150,000,000 in mortgage assistance following "a state investigation that concluded that Countrywide relaxed its underwriting standards to sell risky loans to consumers who did not understand them and could not afford them."
$12,000,000: the amount of TARP money provided to community bank OneUnited despite the fact that it did not qualify for funds, and was "under attack from its regulators for allegations of poor lending practices and executive-pay abuses." It turns out that Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), a key contributor to the Fannie Mae meltdown, just happens to be married to one of the bank's ex-directors.
$23,500,000: The upper range of net worth Rep. Allan Mollohan (D-WV) accumulated in four years time according to The Washington Post through earmarks of "tens of millions of dollars to groups associated with his own business partners."
$2,000,000,000: ($2 billion) the approximate amount of money that House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) is earmarking related to his son's lobbying efforts. Craig Obey is "a top lobbyist for the nonprofit group" that would receive a roughly $2 billion component of the "Stimulus" package.
$4,190,000,000: ($4.19 billion) the amount of money in the so-called "Stimulus" package devoted to fraudulent voter registration ACORN group under the auspices of "Community Stabilization Activities". ACORN is currently the subject of a RICO suit in Ohio.
$1,646,000,000,000 ($1.646 trillion): the approximate amount of annual United States exports endangered by the "Stimulus" package, which provides a "Buy American" stricture. According to international trade experts, a "US-EU trade war looms", which could result in a worldwide economic depression reminiscent of that touched off by the protectionist Smoot-Hawley Act.
It's not just a culture of corruption. It's a culture of corruption and stupidity. And, unlike Republicans, Democrats appear to be above the law. All of the aforementioned clowns are still in office, ruling like the royalty they've become.
so far 2 of obama's picks had tax issues - it seems to be a requirement for his cabinet positions.
the democrats are proof enough that the laws we peasants have to follow do not apply to them. an "honest mistake" could land us jail time, but for them, an "honest mistake" gets them more $ and power.
__________________
My savior is a carpenter, not a president.
We can try to blame this on the Dems all we want. But they are just a wolf in different sheeps clothing. The Republicans spent their heads off for 8 years. Hearing them bitch about wasteful spending now rings hollow. You can take the whole 2 party system and flush it.
Location: Near the confluence of the Missouri and Osage
Posts: 21,657
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcguirk
we can try to blame this on the dems all we want. But they are just a wolf in different sheeps clothing. The republicans spent their heads off for 8 years. Hearing them bitch about wasteful spending now rings hollow. You can take the whole 2 party system and flush it.
bingo!
__________________
~SC Harvey~
"The Republicans know we have a constitution, and they dismiss it with contempt and arrogance ... The Democrats simply have never heard of it ..."--Livyjr-2008
"Patriots don't let patriots vote stupid..."--Frenchy-2009
We can try to blame this on the Dems all we want. But they are just a wolf in different sheeps clothing. The Republicans spent their heads off for 8 years. Hearing them bitch about wasteful spending now rings hollow. You can take the whole 2 party system and flush it.
very true - but this article focuses on the people who are now in "power" and want to "fix" the ecomony.
__________________
My savior is a carpenter, not a president.
Location: Near the confluence of the Missouri and Osage
Posts: 21,657
You're playing that stupid Dems vs, GOP game again. Remember...It's us vs. them. Government, sport.
__________________
~SC Harvey~
"The Republicans know we have a constitution, and they dismiss it with contempt and arrogance ... The Democrats simply have never heard of it ..."--Livyjr-2008
"Patriots don't let patriots vote stupid..."--Frenchy-2009
You're playing that stupid Dems vs, GOP game again. Remember...It's us vs. them. Government, sport.
you're right, but what is wrong about exposing these people who all happen to be democrats. face it frenchy, these people are in charge of this nation. we can whine about the GOP, but they are powerless now. out Government is all democrat now, so don't shoot the messenger.
__________________
My savior is a carpenter, not a president.
It's funny that people are so worried about assigning the blame. Wouldn't it make more sense to find a solution to the problem and decide who to blame later? Just a thought.
__________________ Ever shall I stand tall in remembrance of the sacrifice of those who came before, in the spirit of freedom not solemn but proud; that this nation has labored and secured the blessings of freedom. Vigilant I stand in action and purpose for posterity such that the spoils of our labors shall be preserved and not squandered on the prospect of equality through oppression. Such is the burden and the reward of a patriot.
Location: Near the confluence of the Missouri and Osage
Posts: 21,657
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMWyatt
It's funny that people are so worried about assigning the blame. Wouldn't it make more sense to find a solution to the problem and decide who to blame later? Just a thought.
Nah...This silliness is more fun.
__________________
~SC Harvey~
"The Republicans know we have a constitution, and they dismiss it with contempt and arrogance ... The Democrats simply have never heard of it ..."--Livyjr-2008
"Patriots don't let patriots vote stupid..."--Frenchy-2009
It's funny that people are so worried about assigning the blame. Wouldn't it make more sense to find a solution to the problem and decide who to blame later? Just a thought.
the solution is the liquidation of D.C
__________________
My savior is a carpenter, not a president.
Yeah you're right. I forget sometimes that money has no real value anyway.
__________________ Ever shall I stand tall in remembrance of the sacrifice of those who came before, in the spirit of freedom not solemn but proud; that this nation has labored and secured the blessings of freedom. Vigilant I stand in action and purpose for posterity such that the spoils of our labors shall be preserved and not squandered on the prospect of equality through oppression. Such is the burden and the reward of a patriot.