NPR story almost made me vomit this morning...

[GTaudiophile]

The GF and I wake up to NPR every morning when the alarm goes off at 6:15.

This was the first story we heard, one about a freshman Republican. It almost made me vomit. I seldom appreciate NPR as they are rarely even-handed in documenting the transgressions of our politicians but I do appreciate it even when Republicans are called out for legitimate reasons.

The article might as well be titled the WASHINGTON VIRUS or the REASON WHY WE NEED CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS. In my opinion it represents a big reason why our government is failing.

Politicians get elected, get infected, and work only to get re-elected by accepting funds by lobbyists and other special interests.

Whereas it should be that politicians get elected, do the work of the people, get re-elected by the people for doing a good job, and then go home after a second consecutive term. End of story.

It all sickens me to my stomach.

The State of the Union speech is just one of the Washington rituals that are new to the 96 freshmen in the House of Representatives. Eighty-seven of those newcomers are Republicans, elected to shake up Washington. But in another ritual of this city, many of them are quietly connecting with lobbyists and political action committees to finance their re-election campaigns.

Alabama Republican Mo Brooks came off the House floor last week after casting his vote to repeal the health care overhaul.

"One of the most important things I have done in my life," he said. "It's awesome, it's inspirational, it's sobering."

At noon Tuesday, Brooks, 56, a former state lawmaker and prosecutor, is lunching with four lobbyists who pay $500 to $2,000 each for the privilege.

Brooks isn't the only freshman doing this — not by a long shot. But he is the one who agreed to talk about it. He said he didn't know anything about his fundraising schedule. In fact, he hadn't held a fundraiser in Washington since he was elected.

"If people have started scheduling fundraisers for me, I'm thankful," he said. "But I don't know where they are, or when they are, or the specifics of whoever's putting them together for me."

Here are some of the specifics: Brooks' lunch mates will most likely be from defense and high-tech firms. Those are the ones with an interest in his new committee assignments on Armed Services and Science, Space and Technology.

He has eight fundraisers on his calendar between now and March 29: breakfasts, lunches and a couple of happy hours, all of them limited to four, five or six paying guests.

The schedule was put together by Michael Gula, one of the top fundraising consultants for GOP candidates. Gula doesn't talk about his clients, but generally speaking, he said, they have created a new atmosphere in the lobbying world.

"Down on K Street now, people are really looking forward to building new relationships, meeting new people," he said. "People are really being aggressive in wanting to meet the new members."

Nancy Bocksor, a veteran Republican fundraiser, said that leads to a natural conclusion.

"Money's going to come to them whether they ask for it or not," she said. "So you're going to have some people that go, 'I never solicited their money. They chose to support me based on what I did.' "

Ellen Miller, co-founder of the Sunlight Foundation, called it the "Washington-ization of the Washington outsider."

Miller's watchdog group got a hold of Brooks' fundraising schedule and posted it on its Political Party Time website. Miller said the small, intimate events are important. Big fundraising can come later.

"But the people who were there early on will have the close relationship, and will be able to walk in and see the member or his staff whenever he or she wants," she said.

Politics is all about networking.

David Rehr, a business executive and former lobbyist, said new lawmakers need to meet key people around town: lobbyists, advisers and moneymen.

"At some point, they'll help you either with your issues, or getting re-elected, or being perceived as being more influential by other Washingtonians, so you can try to enact more change in the government," he said.

So if the newcomers didn't swear off Washington money in the heat of an anti-Washington campaign, they'd be foolish to do it now. So says Washington.

 

[waggy]

yeap. its rather disgusting how much power lobbyist have over the politicians.

its no longer about "we the people" its more "we the business" politicans don't care about the people so much as getting re-elected. wich means they have to do what the business want so they give them money to fleece the sheep..err people.

 

[KlokWyze]

Funny how he doesn't even know who scheduled the meetings.... aren't these people supposed to be "leaders". Shouldn't they be choosing who to associate with for factors other than purely money?

This is also both sides I'm sure.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I at least give this guy props for talking with NPR. I can't imagine how neck-deep some of the more established politicians are.

 

[Moonbeam]

Where is the people generated Constitutional amendment banning lobbyists from donating money. Were is the amendment reversing the Supreme decision that money is speech and that corporations are individuals. The people have the power to fix the government but they will not use it. Nobody is to blame for anything that happens in this country but you. That's why all this shit is only really my fault. I don't fucking care.

 

[Phokus]

It's funny how the OP complains about NPR when it's one of the few legitimate news sources in this country, especially when you compare it to the 24/7 cable networks.

 

[werepossum]

Ah, the Al Gore defense. "I don't know where I am or why I'm here."

If this guy's a freshman, imagine him after a decade in D.C.

 

[halik]

It's funny how the OP complains about NPR when it's one of the few legitimate news sources in this country, especially when you compare it to the 24/7 cable networks.

True, but their bias has become palpable in the last couple of years. Hopefully the canning on the CEO will set them back straight and impartial.

 

[Patranus]

SAN FRANCISCO—President Barack Obama addressed an adoring crowd of supporters at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee in San Francisco Thursday evening......

Guests at the dinner contributed $34,000 per couple, and tickets for the main event ranged between $500 and $1,000. The DNC expects to have raised about $3 million in total.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28371.html

Its nice to see NPR be so impartial.

 

[werepossum]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28371.html

Its nice to see NPR be so impartial.

Attacking just one Republican at a time is being impartial for NPR, they are one of the most radical "news" agencies.

Doesn't mean they don't have a point though. Someone can hate you and everything you stand for, and still be correct about your behavior. We just have to understand that to NPR, Republicans raising money from lobbyists is corruption whereas Democrats raising money from lobbyists is just good government in action.

 

[Phokus]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28371.html

Its nice to see NPR be so impartial.

Attacking just one Republican at a time is being impartial for NPR, they are one of the most radical "news" agencies.

Doesn't mean they don't have a point though. Someone can hate you and everything you stand for, and still be correct about your behavior. We just have to understand that to NPR, Republicans raising money from lobbyists is corruption whereas Democrats raising money from lobbyists is just good government in action.

That's not what the point of the NPR story was, it was about the incoming freshmen congressmen and only one of them was wiling to talk about it on microphone.

The ability of you conservatives to find 'oppression' is astounding.

 

[Patranus]

That's not what the point of the NPR story was, it was about the incoming freshmen congressmen and only one of them was wiling to talk about it on microphone.

The ability of you conservatives to find 'oppression' is astounding.

Its been going on for years. It happened all of the time with the last congress.
Why does NPR decide to do a story about it now?

(hint: Because the GOP is in "control" - When they really aren't but thats another discussion)

 

[Brainonska511]

There was an interesting editorial in yesterday's NY Times suggesting that the House be expanded to include more members and make the number of people each representative represents smaller. The House was continually expanded over the years till about WWI to cover population growth. The editorial suggested that making the districts smaller would lead to less money needed for campaigns and more local representation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/opinion/24conley.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

 

[Phokus]

Its been going on for years. It happened all of the time with the last congress.
Why does NPR decide to do a story about it now?

(hint: Because the GOP is in "control" - When they really aren't but thats another discussion)

The story wouldn't be nearly as interesting and report-worthy if one of them didn't agree to get on microphone and be so open about it. You're reaching here, as usual. Maybe you should stick to spreading lies on the Gadgets Gear and Phones forum (and later disappearing)

 

[Moonbeam]

Attacking just one Republican at a time is being impartial for NPR, they are one of the most radical "news" agencies.

Doesn't mean they don't have a point though. Someone can hate you and everything you stand for, and still be correct about your behavior. We just have to understand that to NPR, Republicans raising money from lobbyists is corruption whereas Democrats raising money from lobbyists is just good government in action.

How do you look in the mirror? Do you see lines of code? Have you no shame? Never mind. I'm sure you love your program.

 

[umbrella39]

yeap. its rather disgusting how much power lobbyist have over the politicians.

its no longer about "we the people" its more "we the business" politicans don't care about the people so much as getting re-elected. wich means they have to do what the business want so they give them money to fleece the sheep..err people.

This. It's sad no matter which side does it. It's even worse when we start seeing CEO's get elected to run State governments. Pretty soon the blurry line in the sand will completely be erased.

 

[umbrella39]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28371.html

Its nice to see NPR be so impartial.

STFU hack and stop trying to morph this into an Obama/NPR thread.

 

[shortylickens]

Something tells me if the people changed the system, the system would eventually just realign itself to fuck us over again. Maybe one generation of avoiding the old problems before they come back.

Also, nobody in power ever voluntarily gives up their power. Why would a congressman vote himself out of a steady paycheck? Not to mention assloads of benefits, many of which are quasi-legal.

But I do agree most politicians spend too much time trying to keep his job, and not enough time trying to do it.

 

[chucky2]

NPR...it's like a monotone less hyped MSNBC... Wow! Maybe if they put a dB reducer and monotonizer on Olberidiot, he could get a job at NPR??? He'd have to change his first name though, it couldn't be Keith. It'd have to be spelled Keith, but, pronounced "witty", like Keth, or Kithe....definitely a possibility...

 

[rudder]

Politics is all about networking.

"At some point, they'll help you either with your issues, or getting re-elected, or being perceived as being more influential by other Washingtonians, so you can try to enact more change in the government," he said.

Being only one of 535 people... you won't get very far on principle. At some point every new politician will have to sell their soul whether it be lobbyists, dems, or repubs.

 

[umbrella39]

npr...it's like a monotone less hyped msnbc... Wow! Maybe if they put a db reducer and monotonizer on olberidiot, he could get a job at npr??? He'd have to change his first name though, it couldn't be keith. It'd have to be spelled keith, but, pronounced "witty", like keth, or kithe....definitely a possibility...

plonk more duuuhversion from the problem.

 

[LumbergTech]

Its been going on for years. It happened all of the time with the last congress.
Why does NPR decide to do a story about it now?

(hint: Because the GOP is in "control" - When they really aren't but thats another discussion)

Yes, they have just been sitting on this ...waiting....
uh huh..

get a grip

 

[werepossum]

How do you look in the mirror? Do you see lines of code? Have you no shame? Never mind. I'm sure you love your program.

Do you honestly believe NPR would run an article specifically about how Democrat freshmen had fund-raising lunches with lobbyists? Have you never noticed the NPR headlines reading "Groups, Dems criticize GOP event" are not balanced with NPR headlines reading "Groups, NPR headlines reading "Groups, GOP criticize Dems event"? Ever noticed that conservatives have "conservative groups" and "conservative think tanks" whereas progressives have "human rights groups" and "watchdog groups" and at most "left-leaning think tanks"? Denying the bias is just silly, whether or not you agree with its choice of sides.

 

[werepossum]

Something tells me if the people changed the system, the system would eventually just realign itself to fuck us over again. Maybe one generation of avoiding the old problems before they come back.

Also, nobody in power ever voluntarily gives up their power. Why would a congressman vote himself out of a steady paycheck? Not to mention assloads of benefits, many of which are quasi-legal.

But I do agree most politicians spend too much time trying to keep his job, and not enough time trying to do it.

I dunno, I'm not wild about them when they are doing it either. No one's life, liberty or property is safe when Congress is in session - of either party.

 

[Brainonska511]

Do you honestly believe NPR would run an article specifically about how Democrat freshmen had fund-raising lunches with lobbyists?

Why is this thread even discussing whether you think NPR is a biased or nonbiased source? That has really nothing to do with the actual issue at hand, which is perpetual campaigning for reelection and the influence of special interests instead of actually doing their jobs.