so all day long congress has been interviewing Roger Clemens about steroid use. I watched some of these self rightous knuckleheads preen in front of the cameras to show a "grateful" nation how much they are accomplishing for us, and I am appalled. This then, is what our elected officials are there for? I guess they need to take on the tough issues, like whether or not some dude cheated at a "sport" that a great many people don't give a rat's ass about. Good thing they are taking care of that instead of checking out why California still has gas prices over $3.00. Yes, I know that gas companies selling off California's surplus to foreign countries, and shutting down refineries so that they can fleece the unsuspecting public, is of little concern to the average person. I don't care about getting ripped off, as long as i know whether or not some millionaire athlete cheated at his sport, who needs to make a living anyway!
now as for congress investigating anyone, what makes them qualified? Is it the fact that they had enough money, or enough support from special interests to get elected? Does owing your job to unions, power companies, pharmacuetical companies, or maybe even more unsavory charactors make you qualified to sit in judgement of others? Here's a list of some elected officials and their problems, then you tell me.
1) Sen. Harry Reid- According to the times, he used his influence in Washington to help a developer (Mr. Whitmore) clear obstacles for a very profitable real estate project. As the deal advanced, he recieved tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Whitmore, who also hired Sen. Reid's son as his personal lawyer, eventually appointing him to negotiate said real estate deal with federal officials. During the time he was negotiating this deal, the younger Reid called his father's office to talk to him about how to get the E.P.A. permits the deal needed to proceed, this represents a clear conflict of interests.
2)Rep. William Jefferson- indicted on federal charges of: Racketeering, soliciting bribes, and money laundering, in a long running bribery investigation into buisiness deals he tried to broker in Africa.
3) Sen. David Vitter- Acknowledged "serious sin" after his phone number was found among those called by an escort service that prosecutors allege was a prostitution ring.
4) Sen. Larry Craig- who can forget this guy? he was arrested (and plead guilty) for ,and i forget the legal terminology but this captures the spirit of it, toolin for man ass in a airport restroom.
5) former Mayor Rudy Guliani- ABC reported that the former mayor provided a police vehicle and a city driver to his mistress (who later became his new wife) at the taxpayers expense.
6) Sen Dianne Feinstein- while on the Senate appropriations commitee on military construction, reviewed very lucrative contracts that eventually were awarded to her husband's construction company. conflict of interest, or the best company for the job, you make the call.
7) Sen. Hillary Clinton- this "champion" of ethics reform, has blocked the release of white house records which may allegedly expose misconduct on behalf of her and/or her husband. in march of 2007 an ethics complaint was filed, for allegedly filing false financial disclosure forms with the Senate. as a result, her top campaign contributor, one Norman Hsu, was exposed as a felon and a fugitive from justice.
8) Rep. John Conyers- reportedly forced his staff to work as personal servants, sitters, valets, and campaign workers, while on the government payroll.
9) Sen. Barack Obama- caught conducting campaign buisiness in his senate office. (this is a violation of federal law). had "suspicious" dealings with indicted political fundraiser Antoin (tony) Rezko. he pushed legislation that benefited some major campaign contributors pharmacuetical companies, after buying thousands of dollars worth of stock in their companies (allegedly).
Is this then the best we have to offer? are these people we elected to serve our nation serving anyone but themselves? do we even really have a choice who gets elected, or just who they will let us elect? I don't have the answers to any of those questions, but after watching them "grill" some athletes, and the dudes who claim to have given them steroids, i can only reach one logical conclusion. I got served...... served, served, served, served... yeah!
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