Ethics snowball gathering size and power
It was such a harmless little non-partisan snowball at first. Hardly worth noticing, really.
But as it rolled ever so slowly down the hill, it began to grow a wee bit. “Seriously?” people began to ask themselves. “We let our legislators take unlimited gifts from lobbyists? ‘Unlimited’, as in ‘no limits’? And this is legal?”
Pushed by the Georgia tea party and the more liberal Common Cause, the snowball grew larger and gathered speed. When renegade members of the House and Senate defied their leadership and introduced bills limiting gifts to $100 or less, the momentum continued to build. And even though the Legislature disbanded with those bills going nowhere, it has since become clear that this snowball is not going to melt away in the heat of summer.
Quite the contrary.
At the insistence of the grassroots, leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties have agreed to put advisory questions on the primary ballot in July, asking voters whether they support the proposed gift limit. And everybody is pretty darn sure how those votes are going to come out.
In fact, shortly after the question was put on the GOP ballot, Senate President pro tem Tommie Williams, Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, the Senate’s presiding officer, all suddenly embraced a gift cap.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of support — a lot of support,” Cagle predicted.
The true tipping point, however, came when state Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, signed a pledge sponsored by the tea party and Common Cause to support the gift cap. That was as out of character for Balfour as Kim Kardashian signing a chastity vow.
As chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee, Balfour had helped to kill an ethics-reform bill just a couple of months earlier. Balfour has also been a most eager guest of lobbyists wanting to ply with him with sports tickets and other benefits, and on Friday the Senate Ethics Committee announced it had found “substantial evidence” that Balfour had been padding his state expense accounts.
It’s now clear that when the Legislature convenes in January, Senate leaders will be competing to see who gets credit for passing a strong ethics bill. The problem will come in the House, where Speaker David Ralston of Blue Ridge stubbornly refuses to even consider a gift limitation. That mulishness is putting members of his House caucus in a quandary.
In effect, Ralston is forcing them to choose between loyalty to him — the man who controls every aspect of their legislative lives, from office space to committee assignment to the fate of their bills to campaign funding — and loyalty to the people who elected them and who pay their salaries.
So far, they have chosen to side with Ralston. It’s telling that of the 60 legislative candidates who have signed the pledge in support of reform, only one — Mark Hatfield of Waycross — is a returning Republican member of the House. Every other returning GOP House member is following Ralston’s orders and defying public opinion.
In stark contrast, 20 of those who signed the pledge are Republicans who are seeking election to the House for the first time. If a significant portion of those 20 get elected, as seems likely, the snowball will gain even more momentum. We may then see what happens when the irresistible snowball collides with the unmovable mountain man.
– Jay Bookman
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433 comments Add your comment
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 4th, 2012
6:58 am
http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2012/06/04
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 4th, 2012
7:01 am
The threat of voting them out has to be a pretty good motivator…we’ll see…anything can happen in Georgia…
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
7:07 am
In effect, Ralston is forcing them to choose between loyalty to him — the man who controls every aspect of their legislative lives, from office space to committee assignment to the fate of their bills to campaign funding — and loyalty to the people who elected them and who pay their salaries.
Jay–Good work for your part in bringing attention to this obvious thumb in the eyes of the taxpayers.
Out of curiosity, is GA unique in concentrating so much power in the hands of only one person?? Doesn’t seem like a very good idea.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
7:09 am
Normal–Thanks again for your part in the great discussions over the weekend. As I said, I consider you to be an example for the rest of us to follow.
Jack
June 4th, 2012
7:12 am
A snowball late in coming.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 4th, 2012
7:15 am
Thanks Bruno, but all I’ve done is ask questions and studied history.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 4th, 2012
7:17 am
Yikes! My English Teacher Mom just kicked me for that sentence…
ByteMe - Political thug
June 4th, 2012
7:17 am
It’s SNOWBALL vs. HELL (Ralston) in a death match, winner continues to take all.
The big money is on Ralston, haven’t you heard?
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
7:24 am
Thanks Bruno, but all I’ve done is ask questions and studied history.
Whenever I think about the grandness of the Universe and how small each of us is individually, it makes me feel humble. As such, it puzzles me when talking about God seems to have the opposite effect on others: they become boastful and arrogant.
But, I guess I need to keep focusing on the telephone pole in my own eye and forget about the splinter in my neighbor’s eye. A lot more fun talking about the splinter, however.
Don Abernethy
June 4th, 2012
7:28 am
Ethics in politicians?? It is not part of their vocabulary.
Call It Like It Is
June 4th, 2012
7:31 am
Interesting in the fact that the two groups pushing this, the tea party and the common cause get the most flack, many from this board yet are the ones trying to make sure the gold dome stays honest. I wonder if anyones opinion has changed on them? I doubt it.
Ayn Rant
June 4th, 2012
7:33 am
Lipstick on a pig!
ByteMe - Political thug
June 4th, 2012
7:34 am
@Call It: Other than being “librul”, I’ve yet to read any coherent critique of Common Cause.
ByteMe - Political thug
June 4th, 2012
7:36 am
The true tipping point, however, came when state Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, signed a pledge sponsored by the tea party and Common Cause to support the gift cap…
As chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee, Balfour had helped to kill an ethics-reform bill just a couple of months earlier. Balfour has also been a most eager guest of lobbyists wanting to ply with him with sports tickets and other benefits, and on Friday the Senate Ethics Committee announced it had found “substantial evidence” that Balfour had been padding his state expense accounts.
It’s called a “death-bed conversion”.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
7:36 am
It’s SNOWBALL vs. HELL (Ralston) in a death match, winner continues to take all.
ByteMe–I just checked the Common Cause website, and they have the gift cap front and center. The Georgia Tea Party website doesn’t mention it specifically, but I have to believe they will also ramp up the attention next fall. It feels good to believe that our voices are being heard on this issue. Just a gambler’s hunch, but it appears that some kind of tipping point has been reached.
stands for decibels
June 4th, 2012
7:38 am
Jay–Good work for your part in bringing attention to this obvious thumb in the eyes of the taxpayers.
Yep, and I’ll go one better–Kudos to Jay and Kyle for shining light on this.
Jay
June 4th, 2012
7:40 am
No, Bruno, Georgia is not unique in that. It’s inherent in the position of House speaker, especially at the state level.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
7:41 am
@Call It: Other than being “librul”, I’ve yet to read any coherent critique of Common Cause.
Honestly, I haven’t seen any criticism of Common Cause on Jay’s blog, while the Tea Party and its members are regularly excoriated by the Libs here. Which always puzzles me, since they seem to have the citizens’ best interests at heart.
Can anyone explain the animosity toward the Tea Partiers??
Jay
June 4th, 2012
7:43 am
In fact, Bruno, the speaker to at least some degree also influences how many benefits each legislator gets from lobbyists. If he puts out the word that so and so is no longer in good graces ….
In fact, your question just inspired a new definition: Lobbyist = A friend with benefits.
Bud Wiser
June 4th, 2012
7:45 am
There is no ‘ethics’ in politics, as currently played.
Just look to Washington: a lame duck president that still blames his predecesor for his own failures (see latest job numbers, unemployment back up, an attorney general that makes perhaps the most banal racist statements concerning investigating voter fraud (unreported by lamestream media like this rag stooge here) in history, and more and more companies coming to light that no longer exist even after recieving bailout money, but still had the cash to give to Obama.
Rush is right(for once). Obama is a stooge. Someone else is running this fiasco behing the scenes, either George Soros or Valerie Jarret.
President Romney 2012.
Coming soon to a voting booth near you.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
7:47 am
No, Bruno, Georgia is not unique in that. It’s inherent in the position of House speaker, especially at the state level.
Maybe that’s done for reasons of efficiency, but it brings to mind the old saying “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
The scary part is that the USA has one of the most fair forms of government around the world. Whenever I come into contact with immigrants, especially from Africa or South America, they are astounded that you don’t have to pay bribes every time you need government services. One lady comically thought that the driver’s license fee was actually a bribe for the DMV clerk.
stands for decibels
June 4th, 2012
7:47 am
Coming soon to a voting booth near you.
Bud, that didn’t make any sense the first time you drunk-posted it.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
7:52 am
Yep, and I’ll go one better–Kudos to Jay and Kyle for shining light on this.
sfd–I’ve been impressed by the quality of writing by Kyle, but rarely post there other than to say howdy to Hillbilly Deluxe and Dave R on occasion. More fun to mix it up with the Libs on Jay’s blog. Kyle does seem to have accumulated an interesting assortment of Bookman castoffs, however.
BTW, Jay, thanks for reinstating betty. Not sure what got her banned, but she keeps FNM humming.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 4th, 2012
7:53 am
Bruno,
My complain about the Tea party is that they assumed power and have used it without thinking it through. I have seen no indication that they are willing to study the ramifications of their actions or demands. Too much power, too early…it goes to ones head.
As to your 0724. I listen to the whisper and I always try to see the other side. A lot of the time I fail, but I don’t give up….and I love good long discussions of mutual importance (?), even if we are on opposite sides. Much is learned there. It’s sorta like chess…I learned more about the game and how it’s played by my losses than by my wins…
Georgia on my mind
June 4th, 2012
7:57 am
I am happy that the AJC continues to run all of these snakes out of their caves. If it was not for the investigating that you all do, the people that actually vote would be in the dark. Keep the pressure on them Jay and thanks for keeping us informed!!
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 4th, 2012
7:58 am
Bud,
Friday I heard Boehner talking that the economy and jobs were going to be the main focus of the GOP, but then the Republican run House passes five anti abortion bills and presented zero legislation on jobs..Is abortion the new word for jobs now? I get so confused.
stevie ray
June 4th, 2012
8:01 am
JAY,
How are “advisory questions” place on ballot? What’s the story behind these and how do we push for more?
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
8:03 am
My complain about the Tea party is that they assumed power and have used it without thinking it through. I have seen no indication that they are willing to study the ramifications of their actions or demands. Too much power, too early…it goes to ones head.
From what I’ve seen, they primarily focus on restoring fiscal sanity to the government along with returning to a more strict adherence to the original language of the Constitution. In my world, those are worthy goals.
It’s sorta like chess…I learned more about the game and how it’s played by my losses than by my wins…
I used to play chess, but switched to another game called GO more than 30 years ago. In Asia, GO rankings are thought to be equivalent to martial arts rankings. At the deepest level, your games become a mirror of your personality. In the end, you are “playing” yourself.
Sean Smith
June 4th, 2012
8:06 am
Jay did you see the story out of Raleigh, the assistant to the speaker was sleeping with a lobbyist, that truly is a friend with benefits….
stevie ray
June 4th, 2012
8:09 am
How was it the Bill Clinton was able to accomplish things despite GOP control of congress?
Question Man?
June 4th, 2012
8:10 am
Might Ralston be on the way out?
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 4th, 2012
8:12 am
Bruno,
I agree with your 0803 to a point but it seems that fiscal sanity has its limits…
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47669971/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/
Jay
June 4th, 2012
8:12 am
Stevie Ray, those are placed on each party’s primary ballots by the state Democratic and Republican party leadership. They are advisory only.
Unlike many states, Georgia has no legal mechanism for binding referendums or for voter-initiated referendum.
stands for decibels
June 4th, 2012
8:12 am
How was it the Bill Clinton was able to accomplish things despite GOP control of congress?
~12 years of glorious hindsight.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
8:15 am
How was it the Bill Clinton was able to accomplish things despite GOP control of congress?
Form what I remember, Clinton talked a mean liberal game publicly to keep his base happy, but was willing to roll up his sleeves behind closed doors and compromise/work with the Republican leadership to get things done which benefited the American public. Can’t say I know exactly what goes on behind closed doors in the Obama White House, but I don’t see that same spirit of private cooperation. With Obama, it’s all about showing up the other guy.
Brosephus™
June 4th, 2012
8:16 am
The true tipping point, however, came when state Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, signed a pledge sponsored by the tea party and Common Cause to support the gift cap. That was as out of character for Balfour as Kim Kardashian signing a chastity vow.
And the smackdown has been laid…
As long as Ralston has his way, Georgians will be denied their request. If he won’t do the bidding of the state’s residents, then it’s incumbent upon the people of his district to replace him with somebody who will.
stevie ray
June 4th, 2012
8:18 am
Jay,
Thanks…..I regret to inform you that your use of the term “leadership” in connection with these baffoons is somewhat offensive:-)
Brosephus™
June 4th, 2012
8:20 am
Can anyone explain the animosity toward the Tea Partiers??
I criticize them because they had something of a good idea that was quickly folded into the GOP camp. Instead of being a true outside group that could force BOTH parties to change, they quickly became shills for the GOP. In my opinion, that was a huge waste of potential. However, given the fact that some groups were heavily funded by GOP supporters, I don’t think the powers behind the curtain ever wanted anything other than a GOP megaphone group.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
8:25 am
I agree with your 0803 to a point but it seems that fiscal sanity has its limits…
Per your link, I have somewhat mixed feelings about defense cuts. On one hand, we’re spending a ridiculous amount on the military, while the rest of the world, primarily Europe, is getting a free ride. The word from the troops I come in contact with is that waste is common due to the top-down bureaucratic management style. I’m absolutely positive that we could get a lot more bang for our buck. I also have to wonder when the bottomless money pit in Afghanistan is going to close up.
On the other hand, I fear the day when we aren’t the overwhelming superpower in the world. With the number of crazy folks in the world along with the number of folks who have a legitimate beef with us, we would be vulnerable to a lot of attacks on our own soil without an overwhelming military advantage.
rjn
June 4th, 2012
8:25 am
Nothing will change as long as Speaker Ralston and his establishment friends are in charge. Furthermore, apologists like ultra right conservative Phil Kent only solidify this corrupt culture that thrives under the Gold Dome and in the Governor’s Mansion. Phil makes Jerry Luquire look like Nancy Pelosi. Just like certain metro area counties, there is a strong chance that a house of cards will soon collapse.
curious
June 4th, 2012
8:27 am
What’s the plan for the approaching sequestration coming in Jan 2013?
If it kicks in, we will be headed for a depression. There are a lot of jobs, direct and indirectly, tied to government expenditures.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
8:33 am
Instead of being a true outside group that could force BOTH parties to change, they quickly became shills for the GOP. In my opinion, that was a huge waste of potential.
Brosephus–I can understand that perception from a non-Republican, since the Tea Party pretty much echoes basic conservative philosophy. When push comes to shove, however, the Tea Partiers aren’t shy about criticizing the GOP.
BTW, the Big Tent is still ready when you are. I cleared out some extra space for you due to those extra pound you put on recently.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 4th, 2012
8:40 am
Bruno,
I can understand your concerns about the “other guy”, but if we learned to get along more, who knows if we would need that much “defense”.
But let me tell you something about our defense spending. We have always employed the idea that technological superiority was the key to our national defense. Big, expensive weapons that couldn’t be massed produced in a time of war was/is the key to our whole defense plan with a real big emphasis on expensive.
When I was in the Navy during the cold war, it was known that the Soviets were producing massive amounts of cheap, barely capable weapons. That they were barely capable was enough because they had enough to overwhelm our technological edge. We knew that in a Naval slug fest with the Soviet Navy, we would be mauled and it was anybodies guess if we would win…of course we thought we would because our biggest advantage was that we could improvise on the spot if necessary.
But my point is that too much reliance on “super weapons” instead of cheap, easy to build/maintain, workable weapon systems would provide more defense and a reduction in the deficit. But…guess who doesn’t want to see that?
Oblama
June 4th, 2012
8:41 am
And suddenly the Dems have ethics? The home of Edward Kennedy, Slick Willie, Nanny Pelosi and Bonnie Fwank? Come on – you can’t be serious.
The Snark
June 4th, 2012
8:41 am
Can anyone explain the animosity toward the Tea Partiers??
Because their supposed concern for “fiscal sanity” slumbered during the eight years that President George W. Bush ran the national deficit through the stratosphere, and woke up only when President Obama was sworn in …
Because they have been manipulated and utterly co-opted as a fundraising and votegetting arm of the Republican Party …
Because they have yet to call for reductions in the programs which benefit them personally (e.g., mortgage interest deductions, Medicare.) …
stands for decibels
June 4th, 2012
8:43 am
In stark contrast, 20 of those who signed the pledge are Republicans who are seeking election to the House for the first time. If a significant portion of those 20 get elected, as seems likely, the snowball will gain even more momentum.
I guess that’s the teensy little silver lining here, tucked within a massive cloud of Republican supermajority constitutional-amendment-churnin’ horror.
(I know, dopey state constitutions aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on, but it’s gonna be a pretty embarrassing coupla years at least for rational Georgians, what with “Double-super-secret Ban on Gay Marriage” and “Every Fertilized Egg is Sacred” nonsense sure to be Coming to a Voting Booth Near You.)
Brosephus™
June 4th, 2012
8:45 am
When push comes to shove, however, the Tea Partiers aren’t shy about criticizing the GOP.
Maybe in your eyes, but this is the first time the Tea Party has actually pushed something that most everybody will agree with. The Tea Party echos more than just basic conservative philosophy. They are on the right of basic, and from where I sit, they are the “5.7L V8″ behind the GOP’s rightward lurch.
When that tent quits it’s righward movement, I’ll see if they are ready for me. I’m not moving from my principles just to belong to any group. Whichever group decides to embrace sanity and common sense first will find me as a supporter. Until that point, I’ll continue to look for individual gems amongst the piles of sh*t.
As to those pounds, it just makes it that much harder to whip me.
Jm
June 4th, 2012
8:47 am
Progress
Mr_B
June 4th, 2012
8:47 am
Bruno:
“Can’t say I know exactly what goes on behind closed doors in the Obama White House, but I don’t see that same spirit of private cooperation. With Obama, it’s all about showing up the other guy.”
From my perspective, the Obama administration has been more than accommodating to its ideological opposites. The ACA is full of Republican ideas, the Bush tax cuts were extended for everybody, the EPA isn’t treating CO2 as a pollutant; and the list goes on. Aside from adopting the entire Republican party platform, what else could be done.
I’ve read your posts long enough to know that you can do better than “the back of the bus” and the “the gun to a knife fight” comments that Obama never made.
And BTW, Good Morning all.
Fred ™
June 4th, 2012
8:47 am
stevie ray
June 4th, 2012
8:09 am
How was it the Bill Clinton was able to accomplish things despite GOP control of congress?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Because back then the Republicans were not so butt stupid as they are today. They actually talked to Democrats and “negotiated’ and “compromised.”
you can see on this board a perfect example. ANYTHING that is said or proposed by a “librul” is immediately derided and atrtacked by the far right wing nutcases here. And the definition of a “librul” is anyone who doesn’t walk lockstep with Rush Limbaugh on EVERY issue.
In Bill Clinton’s day, the Republicans were the sane one, the adults. Now the roles have reversed to where the Democrats, if not exactly sane lol, are at least lucid while the republicans are howling at the moon forking crazy and act like 4 year old kids.
TaxPayer
June 4th, 2012
8:50 am
Poor Ralston! Is he a gambling man, like Chip Rogers. If so, he best know that now’s the time to fold ‘em. Anyway, how many more heads will roll in Gwinnett.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
8:51 am
But let me tell you something about our defense spending. We have always employed the idea that technological superiority was the key to our national defense. Big, expensive weapons that couldn’t be massed produced in a time of war was/is the key to our whole defense plan with a real big emphasis on expensive.
I agree with that point, Normal, although technological superiority does create a psychological advantage in addition to the obvious physical superiority. To his credit, Obama pushed for defunding of some new “toys” which didn’t really help us.
From my experience in working with the troops, I think our biggest advantage may be in the superior training our soldiers receive. Our guys are working harder than anyone else. I remember seeing a “training” film put out by the Iraqis several years back, and it was pathetic. I almost felt sorry for them having to go up against our guys.
Don't Tread
June 4th, 2012
8:54 am
Maybe the time for bought-and-paid-for legislators is coming to an end in GA, despite their being dragged kicking and screaming.
Now if we could do the same in DC…
But that will take a much bigger snowball, with some embedded ice and boulders.
USMC
June 4th, 2012
8:54 am
Obama is getting Left behind…
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2012/06/02/obama-gets-left-behind/
tick tock, tick tock, tick tock…
Fred ™
June 4th, 2012
8:56 am
USMC
June 4th, 2012
8:54 am
Obama is getting Left behind…
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2012/06/02/obama-gets-left-behind/
tick tock, tick tock, tick tock…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An example of what I said at 8:47………
USMC
June 4th, 2012
8:58 am
Big trouble ahead for Obama…
War in White House: Holder and Axelrod ‘had to be separated’…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9309372/War-in-the-White-House-attorney-general-Eric-Holder-and-top-Obama-adviser-David-Axelrod-had-to-be-separated.html
bluecoat
June 4th, 2012
8:59 am
Monopolies.This happends with a one party system.Some are happy with this,but only shows how low elected will go if not held accountable.
Peter
June 4th, 2012
8:59 am
Ethics and Georgia together in one sentence…really doesn’t fit together.
Like mixing oil and water………scum still rises to the top.
JamVet
June 4th, 2012
9:01 am
And suddenly the Dems have ethics? The home of Edward Kennedy, Slick Willie, Nanny Pelosi and Bonnie Fwank? Come on – you can’t be serious.
Perhaps one day, certain irrationally partisan bloggers will move past this vastly overused and sophist ploy of misdirection and avoidance that contributes *nothing* to the topic at hand.
Other than demonstrating veiled bigotry.
Then again…
Georgia is dead last of all fifty states in public corruption laws.
This is pathetic. And no accident.
Maybe we can figure out a way to climb into the mid forties?
LOL.
St Simons - we're on Island time, mon
June 4th, 2012
9:02 am
Mark Hatfield…heh…what a joke. He smells his own rear end cookin,
that’s what that is all about, youbetcha.
He sure has shut up about that kenyan muslin birther crap too.
But I think its too late for him. he is a de-spised ‘man’ down here.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
9:03 am
Because their supposed concern for “fiscal sanity” slumbered during the eight years that President George W. Bush ran the national deficit through the stratosphere, and woke up only when President Obama was sworn in
Snark, the Tea Party wasn’t officially formed until 2009 according to Wiki. In your mind, the timing may be 100% politically motivated, but I see a strong correlation to the size of the deficits. Bush may have achieved stratospheric levels, but Obama has us pushing the boundaries of deep space.
Because they have been manipulated and utterly co-opted as a fundraising and votegetting arm of the Republican Party …
Again, since the Republicans are the only ones who reflect Tea Party concerns, what were you expecting?? TPs for Pelosi??
Because they have yet to call for reductions in the programs which benefit them personally (e.g., mortgage interest deductions, Medicare.) …
Hypocritical, no doubt, but the Tea Party certainly doesn’t have any monopoly on all of the public megaphones. Unless you can find specific fault with restoring fiscal sanity and returning to a more strict adherence to the original language of the Constitution, then it sounds to me that you are even MORE guilty of putting on the political blinders than the TP.
Mr_B
June 4th, 2012
9:04 am
“Can anyone explain the animosity toward the Tea Partiers??”
Stipulated: many in the TP movement are motivated by a sincere concern for the countries future; a concern also shared by many members of the Center-Left coalition.
That said, the Tea Party has fallen prey to simplistic solutions to extremely complex problems, the idea that if the Feds just stop spending money, everything will be fine. Unfortunately,government does have legitimate functions, and sometimes it is necessary to borrow to fulfill those functions.
Mr_B
June 4th, 2012
9:05 am
Sorry: “country’s.”
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
9:06 am
When that tent quits it’s righward movement, I’ll see if they are ready for me…… As to those pounds, it just makes it that much harder to whip me.
Which is my whole point, Bro. With the type of mass you could bring to the conservative movement, the whole center of gravity would shift instantaneously!!
Jm
June 4th, 2012
9:07 am
Ga doesn’t need binding refs
Bad idea
Ca has them
TaxPayer
June 4th, 2012
9:08 am
The bulk of the Tea Party tools are nothing more than dispensible finger puppets for the Koch crooks.
bluecoat
June 4th, 2012
9:11 am
Who dismantled the Georgia Ethics Bureau?Just follow the leaders.
Brosephus™
June 4th, 2012
9:11 am
Bruno
So now we got big man jokes…
Seriously, there has to be a return of common damn sense, logic, and a semblance of intellect. I’ve never moved myself forward at anything by dumbing myself down, and I won’t ever try to do it either. I’m a bit rusty on my math skills, but when I see the GOP pushing bills that have the same common theme as the Democrats are saying, I can’t see why there is complete gridlock in DC. Once somebody stands up to be the adult in the room, then I’ll start walking in the direction of the tents. Until that time, I’d rather stay outside and watch the clusterf**k instead of being a participant in it.
stands for decibels
June 4th, 2012
9:12 am
Maybe we can figure out a way to climb into the mid forties?
Hmm. I’m wondering how “The Mid Forties or Bust!” would be properly translated to Latin. It could go on our next state flag.
(Medium quarti decennium aut ruinam is how Google Translate more-or-less renders it, but I don’t claim any fluency… a little help, here?)
stands for decibels
June 4th, 2012
9:14 am
Anyhow, producin’ awaits, might be back if/when Jay has something new for us. Don’t bribe any underpaid state legislators while I’m away.
Adam
June 4th, 2012
9:15 am
Seems to me like the people in power in Georgia simply want to not only hold on to that power, but reap as many rewards as possible while in power. Complacent that they will continue to win re-election (such that re-elections happen depending on who we’re talking about), they will continue to push this envelope. Seems to me like a case of power corrupting, and the desire to keep that power is second only to the desire to make the most of that power for personal gain while they still can. While I don’t think too many legislators are worried about losing their seat, I do think they want to make sure the power they have stays the way it is or gets better for them personally.
Make them lose their seat and they still win.
Adam
June 4th, 2012
9:17 am
Bruno: I agree with that point, Normal, although technological superiority does create a psychological advantage in addition to the obvious physical superiority.
Psychological advantage seems to be a big thing for you guys this election season in particular, as you’re actually making the argument that the economy will be better than ever just by not having Obama in the White House, as though his mere existence is holding down the economy.
Fred ™ being repressed
June 4th, 2012
9:19 am
So now we got big man jokes…
See Bro? Now YOU are being repressed………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xd_zkMEgkI
Common Sense isn't very Common
June 4th, 2012
9:20 am
Common Sense applied to politics? How dare you use that term applied to politics.
The art of compromise seems to be DOA in DC.
As for the ethics issue, it will be interesting to see how it plays out and the closer it gets to passage as a law.
I wonder how many pols will decide to not run (since they can’t receive enough gifts to make up the difference in salary).
Moderate Line
June 4th, 2012
9:22 am
This will be interesting to see how this plays out. Boehner had to pacify the Tea Party but that is because so many new legislators at the national level where Tea Partiers. In Georgia state legistlature the same situation does exist. The Tea Party is becoming a party within a Part same as the Yellow Dogs.
At least in this case I hope they get their way. Typically, I do not agree with the Tea Party but in this case I do.
Fartavious
June 4th, 2012
9:24 am
Jay, keep the pressure up on these crooks. I like the definition of lobbyists as “Friends With Benefits” also.
St Simons - we're on Island time, mon
June 4th, 2012
9:25 am
go get em, mr host.
by the power ingested in me,
I proclaim you an honorary ‘dam good Dawg’
Thomas Heyward jr
June 4th, 2012
9:25 am
“Maybe we can figure out a way to climb into the mid forties?”
.
Pre-LBJ great society.
Divorce rate/Abortion rate nil.
Family intact.
Relative peace.
A lasting peace without Washington progs.
10 cent hamburgers.
10 cent beer.
.
We should be so lucky.
.
Please keep your Obama/Romney Nation.
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
9:25 am
From my perspective, the Obama administration has been more than accommodating to its ideological opposites. The ACA is full of Republican ideas, the Bush tax cuts were extended for everybody, the EPA isn’t treating CO2 as a pollutant; and the list goes on. Aside from adopting the entire Republican party platform, what else could be done.
I have to respectfully disagree with your analysis that Obama has been accommodating to the Repubs, particularly in regards to the ACA. From my remembrance, the Repubs were shut out at every turn, with the final deals completed behind closed doors with only Dems present. A lot of political hay is made that the insurance mandate was originally a “conservative idea”, but that matters little to me. A bad idea is a bad idea, whichever political camp it comes from. And though you may view the extension of the Bush/Obama tax cuts as a victory for the Repubs, I see it more as total hypocrisy by Obama and the Dems. After all of the lip service about the rich not paying their fair share, the final House vote was 277-148, with 112 Democrats and 36 Republicans voting against it. Finally, per CO2, it never was a “pollutant” in any normal sense of the word. Defining it as such would require rewriting all of the chemistry and biology books now in use.
On the other hand, the good Dem ideas that Obama paid lip service to while campaigning such as repealing the Patriot Act and ending the practice of holding political prisoners indefinitely without trial have never even been put up for a vote. Very disappointing to me.
I’ve read your posts long enough to know that you can do better than “the back of the bus” and the “the gun to a knife fight” comments that Obama never made.
If you can show me any place that I’ve echoed any of the “fringe element” attacks on Obama such as the birth certificate flap, you might have a point. There’s plenty enough legit criticism of Obama and the Dems for me to not damage my own cred.
Paul
June 4th, 2012
9:27 am
Rather a play on the three stages of a popular idea:
1. Ridicule it.
2. Grudgingly go along.
3/ “Hey everybody, look at that great idea I came up with!!!”
Sounds like Georgia also needs to address the scope of the Speaker’s power.
josef
June 4th, 2012
9:27 am
The Tea Party and Common Cause on the same page? Atlanta, we have a problem…
But…I’ll believe it when I see it…
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 4th, 2012
9:29 am
“An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, stays bought” Simon Cameron, Secretary of War (1861).
Don't Tread
June 4th, 2012
9:29 am
“War in White House: Holder and Axelrod ‘had to be separated’…”
Axelrod should have clocked him. It would have made my day for sure.
“Perhaps one day, certain irrationally partisan bloggers will move past this vastly overused and sophist ploy of misdirection and avoidance that contributes *nothing* to the topic at hand.”
Other than third grade name-calling.
U.S. Navy
June 4th, 2012
9:29 am
Tea Party Movement Getting Americans Steamed
e debt ceiling fight turned out to be a damper on the American economy, and for the approval ratings of political leaders in Washington. But it’s starting to consume the same political entity that decided to make raising it a major issue: the Tea Party. Last week saw the release of three separate polls that showed Americans are not just more skeptical of their movement, but growing tired of their role in the political process, which builds on previous evidence that the Tea Party is being pushed away by independent voters.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/tea-party-movement-getting-americans-steamed.php
Brosephus™
June 4th, 2012
9:30 am
Fred
I wasn’t much of a Monty Python fan growing up (lack of exposure). However, that scene is one that gets me laughing to tears every time I see it.
JamVet
June 4th, 2012
9:36 am
Heyward,
Systemic, de facto segregation, racism and sexism. KKK.
Complete religious intolerance.
Widespread dysfunctional marriages that stayed together ‘for the kids”.
Environmental destruction and rampant poisoning from sea to shining sea. (Cuyahoga River catches on fire.)
Joseph McCarthy. (Enough said!)
Flu viruses were 20% fatal.
You choose to see one side of the ledger, only. The”good’ side and why you pine for the “good old days”.
The very definition of being a reactionary. (NOT to be confused with being a conservative.)
JamVet
June 4th, 2012
9:38 am
BTW Heyward, everyone of those things you listed has NOTHING to do with the huge problem of corruption among today’s politicians in Georgia.
But you already knew that…
ty webb
June 4th, 2012
9:39 am
take away the money, sex, and power, and what reason does anyone have to serve?
Oblama
June 4th, 2012
9:39 am
Mulishness – a good description of Nanny Pelosi……… seriously, I am for a ban on gifts of any kind to politicians. Also, politicians should NOT be allowed to be lobbyists once they leave office….. ever.
Bob Loblaw
June 4th, 2012
9:39 am
Laughable, Jay, that a handful of freshmen Republicans could get elected and gang up on Ralston. Ha!
Adam
June 4th, 2012
9:40 am
Bruno: You’re focused on semantics. Let’s look at results and see how it matches up against what Republicans say they want:
-Aside from stimulus, no significant new spending between 2009-now. Of the three budgets that were passed between 2009 and now (links to follow as proof that YES, Congress DID pass budgets every year) most increases that were major were due to automatic increases to cover different people, with most of the net loss being due to tax revenue.
-Timeline of withdrawal from Iraq which Obama pioneered before being President but Bush signed onto, followed
-Troop surge in Afghanistan
-Osama bin Laden dead
-Banks bigger than ever, with the economy even more dependent on their continued existence than ever before
-States being given more control over education
-Public sector jobs cut every single month since the Presidency started
-Obama NOT fighting for unions AT ALL
-Guantanomo still open
-Cuts to spending (that you guys still won’t admit to) as part of the debt ceiling deal
-Defense spending still ridiculously high
Isn’t that entire list the Republican platform? What am I missing here, aside from a complete abolishment of any public sector influence or activity in both health care and education?
2012 budget passed: www. districtdispatch.org/2011/12/congress-passes-fy-2012-budget/
2011 budget passed: www. nytimes.com/2011/04/15/us/politics/15congress.html
2010 budget passed: online.wsj.com/article/SB123870974208284245.html
Oblama
June 4th, 2012
9:40 am
Speaking of ethics violations…… whatever happened to Bonnie Fwank?
Bruno
June 4th, 2012
9:40 am
Perhaps one day, certain irrationally partisan bloggers will move past this vastly overused and sophist ploy of misdirection and avoidance that contributes *nothing* to the topic at hand.
JamVet–For the millionth time, when the topic here every day is “Republicans suck”, do you really expect the conservatives to meekly play along?? Maybe focusing ONLY on Republican shortcomings brings you some level of emotional satisfaction, but in the process, you are blinding yourself to the Greater Truth. We’re never going to move forward on issues such as ethics reform whenever we’re being divided by political affiliation. I think we’re better off casting positive change as a “people’s issue”, not so much as a D/R issue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgo7jZzW7Jw
Paul
June 4th, 2012
9:41 am
curious
“What’s the plan for the approaching sequestration coming in Jan 2013?
If it kicks in, we will be headed for a depression. There are a lot of jobs, direct and indirectly, tied to government expenditures”
Republicans are looking for a way out. McCain, Graham and others are leading the effort. Half the cuts come from Defense Dept. Republicans love to cut welfare is great for unless it’s for upper-income households.
There would be a lot of ripple effects, though, past the big defense firms. Lockheed’s gearing up to provide 60 and 90-day notices for possible layoffs and say they can weather it, but their small suppliers may not be so fortunate.
This should convince the Tea Party types of the impact of getting deficit reduction done in a very short time frame.
Oblama
June 4th, 2012
9:42 am
speaking of ethics violations….. Nanny Pelosi is still in office.
Janney
June 4th, 2012
9:42 am
Bruno – Whenever I think about the grandness of the Universe and how small each of us is individually, it makes me feel humble
I completely agree.
JamVet
June 4th, 2012
9:43 am
There’s plenty enough legit criticism of Obama and the Dems for me to not damage my own cred.
Hear, hear!
And to play devil’s advocate, I defy anyone here to demonstrate that the modern day GOP is not the very definition of noncompromising…
Adam
June 4th, 2012
9:45 am
JamVet: The GOP has gotten almost everything they wanted just by not doing what the President wanted – including a crap economy.
Mr_B
June 4th, 2012
9:45 am
“If you can show me any place that I’ve echoed any of the “fringe element” attacks on Obama such as the birth certificate flap, you might have a point. There’s plenty enough legit criticism of Obama and the Dems for me to not damage my own cred.”
Sorry,Bruno, I meant the comment as a compliment. You don’t just echo the talking points, which is what makes conversation with you interesting an worthwhile.
” And though you may view the extension of the Bush/Obama tax cuts as a victory for the Repubs, I see it more as total hypocrisy by Obama and the Dems.”
That was the price we had to pay to get an extension of Unemployment for millions of workers who needed it. You may see it as hypocrisy, but I think “compromise” is a better term, particularly given the stimulative effects of those payments in an economy still recovering from a recession. As far as the vote count info, that would seem to me that the President was willing to accept a solution opposed by many in his own party.
U.S. Navy
June 4th, 2012
9:46 am
Georgia Rep. Nathan Deal makes the “most corrupt lawmakers” list
Representative Nathan Deal (R-GA) is a nine-term member of Congress, representing Georgia’s 9th congressional district. His ethics violations stem from his abuse of his position for his personal financial benefit.
http://www.examiner.com/article/georgia-rep-nathan-deal-makes-the-most-corrupt-lawmakers-list