What constitutes EXTORTION ?

[CaptnKirk]

From the Washington Post

I think this qualifies as criminal conduct by the Republican party
Text in part

GOP Attorney Generals asked for Corporate Campaign Contributions
(Washington Post Staff Writers)


Republican state attorneys general in at least six states telephoned corporations or trade groups subject to lawsuits or regulations by their state governments to solicit hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions, according to internal fundraising documents obtained by The Washington Post.

One of the documents mentions potential state actions against health maintenance organizations and suggests the attorneys general should "start targeting the HMO's" for fundraising. It also cites a news article about consolidation and regulation of insurance firms and states that "this would be a natural area for us to focus on raising money."

The attorneys general were all members of the Washington-based Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA). The companies they solicited included some of the nation's largest tobacco, pharmaceutical, computer, energy, banking, liquor, insurance and media concerns, many of which have been targeted in product liability lawsuits or regulations by state governments.

The documents describe direct calls the attorneys general made, for example, to representatives of Pfizer Inc., MasterCard Inc., Eli Lilly and Co., Anheuser-Busch Cos., Citigroup Inc., Amway Corp., U.S. Steel Corp., Nextel Communications Inc., General Motors Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Shell Oil Co., among other companies. They also make clear that RAGA assigned attorneys general to make calls to companies with business and legal interests in their own states.

One of those soliciting funds between 1999 and 2001, according to the documents, was Alabama Attorney General William Pryor Jr., a pending nominee by President Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Sources said that a former RAGA employee recently turned some of the fundraising documents over to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which could vote as early as today on his nomination

 

[burnedout]

Honestly, this is a disgusting practice if the story proves true. Even without such dirty tactics, our nation seriously needs campaign finance reform.

 

[ClueLis]

That's real low... but not extortion unless they made an actual threat to the companies they solicited.

 

[gistech1978]

The attorneys general were all members of the Washington-based Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA). The companies they solicited included some of the nation's largest tobacco, pharmaceutical, computer, energy, banking, liquor, insurance and media concerns, many of which have been targeted in product liability lawsuits or regulations by state governments

Originally posted by: ClueLis
That's real low... but not extortion unless they made an actual threat to the companies they solicited.

its called playing ball. you give x amt of money, we dont bring the hammer down.

 

[Czar]

its called playing ball. you give x amt of money, we dont bring the hammer down.

in other words extortion

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Czar

its called playing ball. you give x amt of money, we dont bring the hammer down.

in other words extortion

Outrageous. Is there no limit to the sleaze coming out of the Republican party these days? Every one of them should be thrown in prison.

I've always voted for people rather than parties, but I'm getting to the point where I'm going to start voting against all Republicans just on principle. They're becoming the party of greed and corruption and self-righteousness.

Frankly, I hope the story is wrong. It's hard to believe anyone is arrogant enough to go that far over the line.

 

[sandorski]

Sally Struthers unavailable? Shouldn't the politcos be doing the job they are elected to do, rather than spending half their terms raising money for re-election?

 

[Tripleshot]

I don't see why this is so surprizing. This crap has been going on for decades. Rember the shrill cry of republicans attacking Gore's activities with the Chinese in L.A.? But not a peep from them about this kind of crap. Maybe with no campaign finance law the field would be level and Dems and Libs and greenies can raise money anyway they can. The Reps don't give a crap about playing fair. Why should anyone else?

 

[Warin]

If you think the Dems are any better, you are insane

Politics has become such a big money business, full of influence peddling and special interests groups that I dont think it's possible to participate unless you sell your soul to the Almighty Buck.

It's sad, and it's pretty much a symptom of all governments, not just the Americans.

If any of this is proven true, it might mean a few members of the GOP finance committee lose their heads over it, but I doubt anything will really change.

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: Warin
If you think the Dems are any better, you are insane

Do you have any proof that the Dems aren't any better? I didn't think so.
I am not saying Dems don't do this, but it's certainly not insane to think Republicans are worse. The Republicans are in the pocket of big business? Could it be because they have taken bribes from them, and are affraid of being exposed? Or could it be because they are affraid the bribes will stop flowing in. I think it's both.