Why do democrats in senate think the ethic's bill is a landmark for just them?

Question

Democrats, however, hailed the 83-14 Senate vote as proof they are fulfilling their 2006 campaign promise to crack down on lobbying abuses.

There is not 83 demorcrats in senate, and republicans in senate seem to also feel lobbying abuses go both ways.

United States Department of Justice in 1996 uncovered evidence prior to and during the Clinton administration and also involved the fund-raising practices sought to direct contributions from foreign sources to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) before the 1996 presidential campaign.

Intelligence information had shown the PRC Embassy in Washington, D.C. was used for coordinating contributions to the DNC in violation of United States law forbidding non-American citizens or non-permanent residents from giving monetary donations to United States politicians.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/02/ap/congress/main3129055.shtml

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Answer 1

Considering that the Republicans were in charge of the house since 1994, they have every right to.

Who else has had it with these hypocrites of the neo-right trying to portray some form of moral compass when their only compass is money?

Answer 2

Historically, whether it's right or not, the majority party of Congress tends to get the credit for whatever landmark bills get passed. You've heard people say things like "Well, it was a 'Republican' or 'Democratic' Congress that put that bill through in 19--." That's how it shakes out for some reason and that's the way it will be remembered.

EDIT: Had to come back and comment on something. I haven't looked at the numbers but from what party are most of the dissenting votes? That is a key point. If it was only or largely Republicans who gave it a nay vote then it rightly gets attributed to the Democrats as "their" bill.

Answer 3

Everyone has been guilty of using lobbyists and taking advantage of what they have. The Democrats are the first group to try and do any lobby reform since they first started under President Grant.

A lobbyist is a person hired by a company to talk to Congressmen to represent them. They have access to a lot of money to make campaign contributions for the Congressman. Money is like blood to a campaign, without it the campaign stalls and dies. Limits were put on how much money a lobbyist can give to a single person, but they can give as much as they want to the person’s party. Another words a lobbyist buys votes in Congress.

Lobbyists sponsor “fact finding trips” to resorts, golf courses, on board their company yachts and so on; all to woe Congressmen to vote for their issues. The reason why cigarettes are still legal is because of the lobbyists, some of the strongest represent the cigarette companies. Money is power, but also influence and friendship in Washington is power. A freshman Congressman just getting his start doesn’t know anyone and has little power, but a lobbyist can connect him to the “old boy network.” He can make introductions and help or hurt the new Congressmen’s agenda. Since they all but buy votes they can trade them too. Senator X said if you voted with him on his program he will vote with you on your program.

Lobbyists can also offer retired politicians, who helped them, seats on boards and other high paying post-political positions. If you voted with the Milk Board and helped their agenda you can expect to receive a job with them after you retire, or maybe they can hook you up with a paid membership in the Dairy Council and so on.

Lobbyists have a lot of power and most votes can’t be made unless a lobbyist gets their piece first. A lot of the “pork barrel” projects start with lobbyists. No one has ever done anything seriously to try and reform the system, until now.

The Democrats have a slim lead in the Senate and haven’t been able to get any of their legislation passed. One important thing they promised to do was to pass laws that reform the actions of lobbyists, doing that is a major step. Not just forwarding the Democratic agenda, but also showing that this Congress can actually get some work done, and it is a major political reform that has been getting worse for over 100 years.

Answer 4

I don't care who passed it, I am just glad someone is trying to do something positive to reform the system in some way. I have found it amusing though that many believe that the Democrats did it all alone. The numbers indicate that 34 Republicans voted for this bill also. In my opinion we should be celebrating some evidence of bi-partisan effort for a change, but that just would not fit the opposition is bad template favored by partisans of both stripes.

Edit: Thumbs down for hailing Bi-Partisan support. Interesting.

Elway_the_Cat: 14 Republicans voted against the bill and these people should be watched by their constituents very closely. However, I have been watching the usual bash the opposition fair all night on this issue. It seems it doesn't matter that a 2-1 margin of Republicans voted in favor of the bill. The fact that 14 voted against it means that all Republicans are unethical in the eyes of some people. In the end though it doesn't matter to me who claims credit because it is a good thing for the people in general.

Answer 5

they're worrying by using fact she is strictly what mccain mandatory. She is a breath of unpolluted air to the Washington scene and not the comparable element as an old drained senator like Biden. She is diverse depsite the certainty that obama claims the comparable element. they're worrying by using fact she has basically energized the republicans and he or she is extra of a woman than Barack will ever be!

Answer 6

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Lady, your attempting to make a point with facts.
Dems argue with feelings!

Dem leaders promised an attempt and they provided something...doesn't matter if any ind or rep voted too...the dems are claiming a victory.

In the end, this rather weak ethics and lobbying bill will only make those in congress and their constituents feel good about themselves.

Answer 7

(For those that don't know, PRC = China.)

Why Did Democrats Gut Congress's Ethics Bill?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aupc0rmaaNDZJ3eNCeKaPM_sy6IX?qid=20070802133750AAfMaxP

That is correct. Clinton took money from China. Clinton also gave U.S. military secrets from China. That action put the U.S. at risk for a nuclear missile attack from China. Two foreigners pled guilty but for some reason they didn't go to jail. Also, China secretly helped fund Bill Clinton's legal defense. Democrat politicians don't want the public to know the real facts about Clinton and China.

This is a few of some of the U.S. government's documents. I am sure Democrat politicians don't want you to see them.
http://www.senate.gov/~govt-aff/20.pdf
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/1999/May/213crm.htm
http://www.senate.gov/~gov_affairs/18.pdf
http://www.rules.house.gov/archives/rules_burt04.htm
"Did You Trust President Clinton (Or Her Husband)? "
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Al6t0RPkB9J_fwwG.2jFgu4jzKIX?qid=20070706154634AAJxjxe

Clintons pushed the world into letting China join the WTO, instead of putting trade sanctions on China for numerous violations. Because China is now in the WTO it is difficult to put trade santions on them. And Goldman Sachs predicts China's GDP will surpass the U.S.'s within just 40 years. Because of Clinton, the trade deficit with China is expected to top $1 trillion a year within 10 years.

Answer 8

Two bills in 8 months, WHOO HOO!

Answer 9

Because Republicans had control of the Senate for six years and passed nothing...that might be it

Answer 10

look at what they did with teh immigration bill

when the public supported it, it was ted kennedys masterpiece
when the public was against it, it was part of the evil bush agenda