In an apparent attempt to win the
"Too Little Too Late Award For Understatement" Republican Representative Christopher Shays expresses concern that unless Republicans refocus quickly they may lose their stellar reputation for moral leadership of the country and congress.
And I agree. A few more years of scandals and indictments like Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff, Duke Cunningham, Scooter Libby, Karl Rove, War Crimes like the destruction of Falluja, violations of the Geneva Conventions, Presidential lying to the public, Congress, and UN about pre-Iraq war intelligence, subversion of the US Constitution with illegal NSA wiretaps, prostitutes, political payoffs, Senate Committee Chairmen suppressing hearings and oversight functions and such and the American voters may become concerned. And start to question this famous GOP edge in moral leadership.
In House Lobbying Bill Still Alive, Jim Abrams of the Associated Press writes:
Twelve Republicans also opposed the measure to advance the bill. "I happen to believe we're losing our moral authority to lead this place," said Rep. Christopher Shays of Connecticut.
"It's been over a decade since my party took over the majority and I feel like we've forgotten how we got here."
The Inspiration of GOP Moral Leadership
I do have to admit, that as a progressive Democrat I have always admired and envied the moral leadership that seems to come so naturally to the GOP. So I share Representative Christopher Shays warning to Republicans. If this keeps up for a few more years, the GOP may start to try the patience of some of the voters. While some may wish Shays had expressed himself in a more discrete and less shrill manner he may have a valid concern.
NOT!
What the heck as Shays been smoking? GOP Moral Leadership? Oxymoron!
This bizzairre warning comes in the context of the debate on House bill, H.R. 4975.
WASHINGTON - House legislation to change the way lawmakers interact with lobbyists headed toward a vote next week after Republican leaders narrowly quelled a rebellion in their own ranks.
The GOP-backed bill, which requires greater transparency in lobbying activities and limits privately funded travel by lawmakers, barely survived Thursday on a 216-207 procedural vote, saving Republicans from an embarrassing election-year defeat..
The influence peddling of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the bribery conviction of former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., propelled lobbying reform into a top priority when Congress reconvened in January. Popular mistrust of Congress in an election year added to the motivation to act.
But action on the bill has been delayed by disputes over the travel ban and, more recently, earmarks. The bill allows points of order to be raised against appropriations, or spending, bills when earmarks are not clearly disclosed. Appropriations Committee members objected to being singled out, saying the provision should also apply to policy and tax bills.
Democrats Oppose Bill As Too Weak and A Political Ploy
Democrats have criticized the bill as being too weak, and merely a political ploy by Republicans to convince voters that they have solved the "corruption" thing.
Democrats were unanimous in voting against the measure Thursday, saying it was too weak to deal with the ethical problems of Congress and complaining they had been denied the opportunity to offer strengthening amendments. Democrats backed proposals to establish an independent office to oversee ethics issues in the House and to ban gifts and meals from lobbyists.
"It is an embarrassingly trivial response to the culture of corruption that has thrived under this Republican Congress," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.
Conclusion
This last decade of GOP "moral leadership" has brought our nation to unprecidented levels of moral discrace. We are witnessing what may go down in history as the most corrupt era of political domination in the history of our country.
I have to imagine that Representative Christopher Shays was being sarcastic with this fellow GOP Reps.
I would welcome folks to help me form a more complete list of GOP moral failings. The above barely scratch the surface. In the UN, for example, John Bolton has trashed the Kyoto treaties, Millenium Goals, and squashed virtually every noble effort of the entire institution.
What a disgrace.