Dems Throw it Down.....Pelosi today

[AnnInLa]

http://blog.dccc.org/mt/archives/002805.html

snip

"I'm here as House Democratic Leader today to talk about a new ethical standard for the House of Representatives, which will remove all doubt in the public's mind as to who we are here to serve. The public is our boss. We are here in the public interest, not to be the handmaidens of the special interests.

"Democrats are setting forth the new ethical standard containing these six principles:

* Ban Members from accepting any gifts from lobbyists.

* Ban Members from secretly working with corporate lobbyists to write legislation.

* Ban lobbying by Members of Congress and high level staff for two years after leaving Congress.

* Enforce the ban on Members and staff soliciting privately-funded travel.

* Ban lobbyists from arranging and financing travel.

* End the 'K Street Project' - ban Members and staff from threatening lobbyists with official actions.

"Some of these provisions are already in the excellent Meehan-Emmanuel Bill, which is being introduced today. All of them will uphold a high ethical standard in the House of Representatives.

"It is no longer acceptable to just talk about ethics reform and restoring integrity to the legislative process. We must do something about it, and we must do it now."

http://blog.dccc.org/mt/archives/002805.html

[bonzotex]

1. wonderful!

When the Repubs shoot this down we'll get some excellent ammo for 2006!

[dogday]

2. Holy Crap She Threw Down Big Time-I Am So Proud

[MuseRider]

3. Good for her.

This is fabulous. I am not her biggest fan but this is really good.

[katinmn]

4. great!

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Finally! Those (^%!@!^$% lobbyists. I'm very glad Pelosi spoke up, but

this is only a start. Public financing of campaigns would also help nix the lobbyist problem.

[wildeyed]

15. I would be all for that.

Regular citizens could run for office again, wouldn't have to accept campaign contributions from the people they are supposed to be regulating.

[POAS]

6. Why just ban soliciting privately-funded travel

Why not also ban accepting privately-funded travel.

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. That jumped out at me too.

[Eric J in MN]

16. You're right. This is worthless. Congress could still accept free

trips from corporations and ride around in corporate jets, as long as they didn't solicit it.

[Eric J in MN]

18. Congress should also be banned from accepting travel from

non-profits, PACs, associations, educational organizations, etc., NOT just banned from accepting privately-funded travel.

Let them pay for their own travel out of their own pocket.

[Jacobin]

37. Its a little too cute, is it not?

Blaming the briber instead of the bribee.

[Dave Reynolds]

7. A new and improved

"Contract for America?"

[Roland99]

8. It's a shame something like this needs to be done but it needs to be done!

[patricia92243]

9. Wow! Is there a ghost of a chance that this could get done? n/t

[RAF]

10. Hey Nancy, what took ya so long?

This was very refreshing to read.

There should really be only 1 rule,Ban ALL lobbying!

[More Than A Feeling]

30. um, that would apply to many liberal groups as well

Visiting your member to share your concerns, calling, writing, and so on is also lobbying. ANY action taken by anyone to influence a member of congress is lobbying.

[RAF]

43. don't confuse being a constituent

with being a lobbyist. When was the last time you were paid to court and dine a representative while expressing views and concerns on an issue?

[quiet.american]

12. EXCELLENT! n/t

[Eric J in MN]

13. Under these standards, could a CEO who isn't a lobbyist

finance and arrange travel for a Congressman?

[bvar22]

14. Thanks, Nancy...

I would prefer they do more than just BAN these things.
They should be CRIMINALIZED with severe, unescapable, mandatory, penalties.

[Nothing Without Hope]

17. All right! Let's see how the neocons try to destroy THIS. Recommended. n/t

[acmejack]

19. It will never see the floor.

Remember Hastert said he would bring no bill to the floor unless it was "supported by the majority of the majority". It is exactly what happened to the election reform bill here.

It's only chance is if it is kept in the public eye by people like us!.

[gizmo1979]

20. Ever

Anyone can get up there and sound righteous I'll clap when I see it as law until then Blah Blah blah.

[Nothing Without Hope]

32. Exactly. We have to spread the awareness of what they vote for

so when they reveal themselves for the criminals they are, they can be held accountable for it. They've slid by invisibly for so long, relying on the compliance of the corporate media. It's time to shine some light onthe cockroaches.

[FinallyStartingToWin]

21. That's A Great Statetment!

What I love about it most is that she fired it off before the repubs could say something similar to try and convince others that THEY are in fact the ethical ones

[rndmprsn]

22. nice....very good move.

not only are these are principles...but it makes for good politics too.

[Disturbed]

23. Ban Congresspersons from lobbying for...

6 years. You know that the Rethugs would whilttle two years down to 6 months. Start high and compromise at the least 3 years.

[Kansas Wyatt]

27. Stand firm at 5 years, anything less is a pay-off against 'We The People'

[Greylyn58]

24. It's not perfect, but it is indeed a start

and this should be kept in the public eye. All the Democrats should jump on this with relish and when it is slapped dowm by the Repugs--as we all know it will be--then the Dems should trumpet it from the highest hills.

NOW...Who are the moral and ethical party in Congress?? This should be the Dems contract with American. Prove who is really in DC to work for the people.

[Greylyn58]

25. This is a start, but it's not perfect

and this should be kept in the public eye. All the Democrats should jump on this with relish and when it is slapped dowm by the Repugs--as we all know it will be--then the Dems should trumpet it from the highest hills.

NOW...Who are the moral and ethical party in Congress?? This should be the Dems contract with American. Prove who is really in DC to work for the people.

[nashville_brook]

26. a new face for the party based on good old fashioned ethical standards

very norman rockwell. i NEED norman rockwell right now!

[lonestarnot]

28. YES! Throw down!

[sweetheart]

29. Great news!

What an outstanding thing to do. Clearly someone's decided that the
framers did not intend the corporate congress to be solely acting on
behalf of corporations. Why just 2 years... how about longer... the
revolving door's gotta stop. This public-office-for corporate dole
and profit thing has gotta be stomped out root and branch.

More power to her... a REAL american leader she is.

[B Calm]

31. I'll bet this will go over like a lead balloon..

[Itsthetruth]

34. It Might Get 100 Or So Votes

eom

[oxbow]

33. If you really want to break the money-power link

join us here:

http://breakthelink.org

[cyberpj]

35. Excellent Site - My state has no citizen initiative option,

but I will spread the word about this to fam and friends around the country.

This is a very good idea.

[BobRossi]

36. re: Throwing down

Bou't time she grew a set.

[ClintonTyree]

38. A new "contract with America".....

this should be made the centerpiece of the '06 campaign. No more selling our government to the highest bidder. Corporations, special interest groups and religious extremists are no longer welcome in the decision making processes of our government. Return to government by, of and for the people.

Nancy and the rest of the Democratic leadership MUST make this the rule, not the exception. You go, girl!

[AuntiBush]

39. Spectacular! WOW! Go Pelosi & Miller!!!

I love this. And "it's about darn time!"

Ok... how do we support this when "high ethics" is only for Republicans?

[lies and propaganda]

40. Thems is fightin werds....

This is everything Tom DeLay lives for!

[girl gone mad]

41. Awesome.

Now the next time a Republican uses the "but Democrats do it too" argument to defend DeLay and co., I'll know exactly what to tell them.

[Orion The Hunter]

42. RE: A happy turn of events

Glad to see Pelosi getting out in front of this issue and taking a good tact to show that not all politicians want to be at the beck and call of corporate lobbyists.