A sudden shift on ethics by Speaker Ralston? Well, maybe
For the last year or so, House Speaker David Ralston has publicly sneered at suggestions that the Georgia Legislature adopt limits on how much lobbyists are allowed to spend wooing legislators.
A proposed $100 cap on lobbyist expenditures was nothing more than “a gimmick,” Ralston has said repeatedly. In his mind, any effort to impose bans or limits on lobbyist gifts would simply drive such spending underground, where it would continue to be done illegally.
In fact, he argued, the whole concept of gift bans or limitations was an invention of “media elites and liberal special interest groups.”
“You can’t be united as a party and be in bed with groups like Common Cause and Georgia Watch,” he said last spring at the state GOP convention, managing to overlook strong tea party support for gift limits. “These are very liberal groups that have no interest in seeing a Republican agenda succeed.”
But in recent days, something rather remarkable has happened. The man who once cast scorn on the idea of restricting lobbyist gifts now says that he intends to do more than limit them to $100. He wants to ban them altogether.
Ralston has pledged to put together an informal legislative study committee, with the intention of passing such an outright ban when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.
There are two ways to think about this rather startling transformation. The first and most obvious is to take Ralston at his word that he believes a total gift ban is an idea whose time has come. If so, there are compelling grounds for Ralston reaching that conclusion. Senate leaders had already embraced the idea of a $100 gift limit, leaving the House isolated in its opposition. Furthermore, advisory questions on the Democratic and Republican primary ballots last month confirmed overwhelming public support for the concept.
Perhaps even more important, the overwhelming rejection of the T-SPLOST in metro Atlanta and elsewhere revealed a crippling lack of trust between elected officials in Georgia and those who put them into office. If a total gift ban from lobbyists can begin to restore that necessary trust, it would be a very good thing.
However, there’s also a more cynical, less encouraging interpretation.
Maybe I’ve got this wrong, but Ralston has never struck me as the type of man likely to undergo a sudden religious conversion on such matters. He has always come across as a more measured, careful sort. He also recognizes the trap in which his Republican counterparts in the Senate have tried to place him and his fellow House members. By endorsing the $100 gift limit, Senate leaders could claim the moral high ground while remaining confident that it would never pass, and that Ralston would take the political heat for killing it.
With his surprise announcement in favor of a total ban on gifts, Ralston has reversed the situation, leaving the Senate to play the role of spoilsport. “You want ethics reform, I’ll give you more ethics reform than you can handle,” he seems to be saying, at least if the more cynical interpretation is correct.
It is precisely the type of political gambit that longtime Democratic Speaker Tom Murphy could and did employ in his own battles with the state Senate of his day. And whatever their partisan differences, in many ways Ralston emulates the Murphy leadership pattern.
So which version of the truth is more likely?
We may not get an inkling of Ralston’s true intentions until his proposed legislation is unveiled. If written in good faith, it will offer a realistic, workable approach to badly needed ethics reform in Georgia, including creation of an independent, well-funded ethics commission. If written as political grandstanding, it will either contain so many loopholes as to be worthless or it will be so punitive and harsh that it will frighten off political support.
But the only test that will matter is what, if anything, is signed into law. After all this posturing, a failure to produce serious ethics reform in the next legislative session could only compound and further justify Georgians’ lack of faith in their so-called “public servants.”
– Jay Bookman
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513 comments Add your comment
Simple Truths
August 15th, 2012
7:26 am
“an informal legislative study committee” – Can there be a more wishy-washy government thing?
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
7:32 am
Thanks for the heads-up, Jay.
(Note to noobs–this is called “reporting.” It’s something that we used to expect regularly from our pundit class.)
ken
August 15th, 2012
7:42 am
Sad. Faith in congress is down to 10%. Honesty and ethics are AWOL.
Joe The Plumber Too
August 15th, 2012
7:47 am
Now if we could just rid ourselves of Super PACS.
FrankLeeDarling
August 15th, 2012
7:52 am
Bad or good intentions the people of Georgia need to make the idea of limits on contributions stick.
Willis
August 15th, 2012
7:53 am
He hasn’t had a real change of heart. He’ll just accept all the favors under the table anyway. Money will continue to rule supreme.
zeke
August 15th, 2012
7:58 am
believe a poll showed 87% of repubs that favor limit…..hope they make it stick and joe the plumber is so correct
bman
August 15th, 2012
8:01 am
Obama has…oh wait. Ralston? Who the heck is that?
hiram
August 15th, 2012
8:01 am
For shifting Delta’s $30,000,000 tax bill to the rest of us, Brother Deal got a paltry $8000 perk. It’s bad enough that they are wh0res, but what adds insult to injury is, they’re $2 wh0res.
Adam
August 15th, 2012
8:01 am
I think your cynical interpretation is right.
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
8:01 am
Now if we could just rid ourselves of Super PACS.
Not gonna happen as long as people equate $$$ as free speech. I haven’t come across any denomination or credit card that actually talks.
—————————-
Call me cynical if you must, but I won’t buy any of this until I see the actual legislation. I’m not one to buy wolf tickets, and I smell the familiar whiff of shenanigans.
Julia
August 15th, 2012
8:02 am
I’m always reminded of Pigs at the Trough, with elected officials being the pigs and lobbyists being the ever full trough. think the pigs will ever cut off the flow to said trough? if you do, i’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.
JamVet
August 15th, 2012
8:07 am
The worst state government that dirty money can buy.
Georgia is a very bad red state joke led by Deal, Ralston and a host of other embarrassing and embarrassed clowns and their bankster buddies, fleecing the people.
And the wholesale “conversion” of Democrats to Republicans in Dixie has changed virtually nothing. And arguably, the only changes have been for the worse. More corruption, more cowardice, more malfeasance and less competent, ethical governance.
So, the worst of the old guard still lives on and our “new” electorate is dumber than a bag of hammers for electing them. But being last in the nation in education has it perks for the Republicants – they are assured of a clueless electorate that is dumber than a bag of hammers and who will keep putting them right back into office.
GB
August 15th, 2012
8:09 am
Question for all those who think gift ban is desirable:
Situation:
An association of small Georgia businesses, located in every corner of the state, organizes a series of lunches for its members and their legislators in various locations. The association is represented by a lobbyist.
The meetings are held at local restaurants in places like Waycross and Toccoa. The cost per meal is about $15. Maybe $20. Legislators are talking to their constituents about legislative issues that affect them.
So, to the question: should the association be permitted to continue to do this, and continue to pay for the legislators’ BBQ or fried chicken?
bob
August 15th, 2012
8:09 am
This would shut some people up but lobbyist buying lunch does not effect anyones lives. Speaking of having an affect. did you know that if we elect Romney that blacks will be chained up again ? He must have heard the commercial John Eaves ran for commisioner when Franklin & other black leaders told us that electing a republican commisioner would lead to police dogs and water canons keeping blacks from voting. I can’t wait until Obama tells us that the romney camp is spreading fear.
What a clown Mr. VP, tell them they will be chained and many will believe.
Clanmack
August 15th, 2012
8:10 am
Distrust of, and cynicism about, our elected State officials abound among these comments. It will take more than real ethics reform to restore trust in these people.
Bud Wiser
August 15th, 2012
8:10 am
Look at it this way:
1. If the state bans lobbyists altogether, and require lawmakers to rely solely on income from their elected positions, then we could in fact be the only state in the union with legislators on food stamps;
2. Future candidates for elective office could be recruited at bus terminals;
3. Fortune 500 companies, bankers, farmers and the working poor would be left to their own devices with no financed representation;
4. OR, we could get some honest, hard working citizens who really want to serve, rather than enrich themselves at the expense of everyone else?
hiram
August 15th, 2012
8:12 am
The patients took over the asylum long ago, and their not about to relinquish control. Lying is just part of a politicians DNA, and most people have learned to discount anything they say.
Aquagirl
August 15th, 2012
8:12 am
should the association be permitted to continue to do this, and continue to pay for the legislators’ BBQ or fried chicken?
No.
Thanks for playing, don’t forget to collect your consolation prize.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 15th, 2012
8:13 am
Jay, putting lipstick on a pig this morning?
vietnam vet
August 15th, 2012
8:15 am
There is a third possible reason for Ralston’s behavior. He’s simply following the Republican motto: I’ve got mine, screw you.
Peadawg
August 15th, 2012
8:17 am
“Ralston has pledged to put together an informal legislative study committee, with the intention of passing such an outright ban when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.”
Good for him and it’s about time. But I’ll believe it when I see it.
Aquagirl
August 15th, 2012
8:18 am
This would shut some people up but lobbyist buying lunch does not effect anyones lives.
If buying lunch didn’t “effect” anyone’s lives, lobbyists wouldn’t be buying those lunches.
GB
August 15th, 2012
8:18 am
Aquagirl:
Thanks for the answer. So other questions: should the legislators have to pay for their own lunch? Or should they just not be permitted to meet with their constituents at an event where food is served?
Or should the lobbyist just ask one of the local members to foot the bill for the legislators? So the association could pay for the lobbyist’s meal and the members meals and the local members could pass the hat and pay for the legislators’ meals. And, of course, now that the lobbyist is not paying for the meals, but some local businessmen who are not lobbyists, the expenditure would not be reported as they are now.
Do you find that preferable?
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 15th, 2012
8:18 am
vet
an alternate third possible reason…..somebody is about to be outed with his hand in the cookie jar….and he’s running for cover
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
8:18 am
Now if we could just rid ourselves of Super PACS.
Organize, organize, organize.
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
8:20 am
So, to the question: should the association be permitted to continue to do this, and continue to pay for the legislators’ BBQ or fried chicken?
No. Legislators get a per diem for meals and such from the state. If they’re meeting with the people they represent, that appears to be covered as them doing their job. They will likely file for their per diem, so they should pay for their own meal. That’s where having actual ethics come into play. Currently, they are filing for reimbursment for travel and meals while simultaneously getting freebies.
Skip
August 15th, 2012
8:20 am
How do they get re elected if no one trusts them? Put up or shut up.
lynnie gal
August 15th, 2012
8:23 am
Ethics legislation with loopholes is likely and nothing will be passed. Especially in January. Too far away from state elections.
GB
August 15th, 2012
8:28 am
Brosephus: I am not sure what the rules for per diem are, but I do not believe it would cover lunch in Toccoa. I believe the per diem applies only when they are traveling.
vietnam vet
August 15th, 2012
8:29 am
@lynnie gal. You’re probably right about this. Ralston is just blowing smoke. Nothing will get done remember this is Georgia—light years behind the curve.
man behind the curtain
August 15th, 2012
8:29 am
What about buying influence by giving family members of legislators lucrative jobs. Would that count?
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 15th, 2012
8:30 am
GB
Do you oppose this?
zeke
August 15th, 2012
8:32 am
hey bob, guess you did not catch mr ryan getting softballs from brit, the guy who is supposed to be an expert on budget came off as rank rookie……vp biden was definitely inartful as he is prone to do, but his heart is generally in right place, something that can’t be said of ayn rand (atheist nutjob) supporter ryan who now disavows her.
Pete
August 15th, 2012
8:33 am
Skip, you ask a good question. Our faith in politicians is at an all time low, yet we continue to re-elect the same clowns over and over. We get the kind of government we vote for.
barking frog
August 15th, 2012
8:34 am
They will pass some kind of
ethics reform as Jay and
Kyle are pushing it.
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
8:38 am
I do not believe it would cover lunch in Toccoa. I believe the per diem applies only when they are traveling.
Here’s a link to Georgia’s travel rules covering per diem and such. They can file for reimbursement for their meals if they are traveling outside their stations on overnight travel. I haven’t seen where they would travel somewhere like Toccoa for a single day trip. Most travel that’s reported is usually overnight and weekend conventions and such. If it’s a meeting that’s being catered and all people are treated the same where food is part of the package, then I don’t see a problem with them eating like everyone else. If attendees have to pay extra for meals, then the legislators should do the same.
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
8:39 am
We will now see those payoffs shift to the Wives,children and other family members who just happen to have a business in the specific area of concern. Just as it happened with the City of Atlanta officials and airport concession contracts years ago.
and by the way
bob
August 15th,@ 8:09 am – The FEIGNED OUTRAGE of MiTT is like standing behind the SOUTH END OF A HORSE, FACING NORTH.
Where was all of this REPUBLICAN OUTRAGE WHEN:
1. Newt called President Obama – ” THE FOOD STAMP PRESIDENT” many of your
ILK thought that was OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY!
2. How about the continuation and the many meetings and FUNDRAISERS MITT
is still conditioning to have with “THE DONALD” while he still insist on the
nonsense of the Presidents BIRTH CERTIFICATE and College Transcripts.
3. Also RUSH LIMBAUGH’s many NASTY & HATEFUL names he has referred to
Mrs.OBAMA and it would take me too long to mention the number of RACIALLY
filled remarks and name calling about the PRESIDENT on a daily basis.
4. How about GLEN BECK’s many hateful statements about the PRESIDENT and
MRS.OBAMA.
5. This past SAT, Sen.McCAIN called PRESSIDENT OBAMA “IGNORANT’ in an
interview with on Fox News.
6. TEA PARTY rallies, the THOUSANDS of drawings of BLACK FACE OF
PRESIDENT OBAMA proudly worn on T-SHIRTS and POSTERS all over the
place!
7. The spitting in the FACE and the Racist “N” word name calling of the Honorable Rep. John Lewis on the steps of the U.S. CAPITAL Building in Washington, D.C. of ALL PLACES!
Where was MITT’S AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY’S OUTRAGE THEN??????
This is just a small listing of the MANY OUTRAGEOUS THINGS said and DONE
by thousands of Republicans and BAGGERS!
So YOU, The Republicans, Baggers and all of your suppporters can go and SELL CRAZY! somewhere ELSE!
We are not INTERESTED IN IT OR BUYING IT HERE!
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
8:41 am
GB
From that link:
4.5 Meal Per Diem During Non-Overnight Travel
Employees on State business who travel more than 50 miles from home or headquarters on a work assignment, and are away for more than twelve (12) hours may receive 75% of the total day’s per diem rate, even when there is no overnight lodging. Each Agency Head or their designees are to determine the reasonableness of when an overnight stay is justified.
If it’s good enough for any state employee, I don’t think elected officials should get treated any differently.
southpaw
August 15th, 2012
8:42 am
As long as life continues, people have a chance to wise up. We can hope that Ralston has added some sense–until he shows he hasn’t.
zeke
August 15th, 2012
8:42 am
a story that could shed some light:
http://www.ajc.com/news/government-waste/per-diems-a-costly-460180.html
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
8:42 am
Bernie
Can you take that somewhere else? The current discussion is on Georgia ethics? At least make your first post on topic. Geez….
—————————-
Jay
Might I suggest the bluenose be updated to check for spastic posting as well?
GB
August 15th, 2012
8:44 am
Granny:
Yes I do oppose it. There are ways to get around any law they pass. Ways that are legal too. Nothing will change.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
8:44 am
Can you take that somewhere else?
yeah, maybe Bernie and Bob can go chat about this over a corn dog or somethin’.
Recon 0311 2533
August 15th, 2012
8:45 am
Operation OPSEC has been launched.
gadem
August 15th, 2012
8:46 am
“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
– John Dalberg-Acton
In my opinion, there needs to be limits on how long someone can feed at the public trough. Republican leaders are against social entitlements, but they have no problem whatsoever taking bribes(handouts) from lobbyists. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Peadawg
August 15th, 2012
8:46 am
http://news.yahoo.com/obamas-tap-white-house-home-beer-023924580–finance.html
This explains soooo much…
JamVet
August 15th, 2012
8:47 am
bob, do all of your bogeymen have black faces?
If so, you are truly a good Ga. Republican and in good company here…
GB
August 15th, 2012
8:47 am
Brosephus: In the situation I am describing, which is a real one, not hypothetical, there is no travel. The legislators may just be driving a mile or two to get there. And the other attendees don’t pay. They association picks up the tab.
TaxPayer
August 15th, 2012
8:49 am
We had a gift ban at the company where I worked. It was set high enough to allow for a fast food meal but low enough to ensure nothing could be inferred from it. That would be the reasonable approach as opposed to grandstanding, as Ralston is doing. Now… he’s showing how a vengeful hypocrite reacts to the pot calling out the kettle.
gadem
August 15th, 2012
8:51 am
@ Bob, you have figurative and literal chains. I would like to think that VP Biden was speaking in a figurative sense. Even in 2012 you have people that are mentally, economically, and socially shackled.
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
8:51 am
Brosephus™ @ 8:42 am – I think you are in need of some glasses and maybe a bit of reading comprehension would help too!
Soothsayer
August 15th, 2012
8:52 am
It’s really sad when you think that a tiny unelected minority controls our government. Not just at the federal level, but also at the state, county and, yes, municipal level.
We elect our “representatives” in government, but, in truth, they are really beholden to the tiny unelected minority instead of the people.
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
8:53 am
GB
Even if the legislator lives next door, the travel is done based on where the work location is, which would be under the Gold Dome. I’ve had to do many a per diem voucher. As I said, if it’s something where all attendees are provided meals, I see nothing wrong with legislators being provided a meal. If the attendees have to pay, then legislators should pay as well.
As it stands now, state employees can’t accept a meal from someone doing business with them, so why should legislators be any different? If the citizens of Georgia are concerned about the implications of employees being bribed, why should those who actually create the rules be treated any different? What’s worse, someone being bribed to break a rule, or someone being bribed to create a legal loophole to avoid a rule? In my book, they’re equally bad.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 15th, 2012
8:54 am
GB
You are most likely correct, but if we used your “There are ways to get around any law they pass” logic no legislation would ever pass.
An excess of pessimism is equally as harmful as an excess of wishful thinking.
Can’t even begin to imagine that logic on raising kids…..
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
8:55 am
Bernie
You and bob can take that crap somewhere else…. I saw your thing about wives and such. However, your spastic posting consumes most of the first page. I may need glasses, but you’re in need of prescription meds and a visit or two with a doctor and leather couch.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
8:55 am
An association of small Georgia businesses, located in every corner of the state, organizes a series of lunches for its members and their legislators in various locations. The association is represented by a lobbyist.
Already I have a problem with this.
Associations of businesses shouldn’t be holding these meetings in the first place. our elected officials should be staffed and funded so that they can hold these meetings without being beholden to anyone, period.
The amount of tax dollars that would be required to see to such arrangements would be trivial in comparison to what actual consumers pay, down the road, to have particular businesses with an inside track to political accessibility.
Recon 0311 2533
August 15th, 2012
8:55 am
Democrats are puppets of the far left that represent a small minority in America.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 15th, 2012
8:56 am
GB
Are you currently employed by the State of Georgia?
Doggone/GA
August 15th, 2012
8:57 am
“In my opinion, there needs to be limits on how long someone can feed at the public trough”
There already are: elections
hiram
August 15th, 2012
8:57 am
The politicians are supposed to represent the interests of the people who elect them. The sole purpose of conducting business over a meal is to disarm the guest to gain an advantage in negotiating. It would be in the best interest of the people for the politicians to conduct the state’s business in their offices.
atler8
August 15th, 2012
8:57 am
Brosephus,
Did you not see the earlier off-topic posting by Bob to which Bernie was responding? Bernie was not just spouting off randomly.
But, in principle, I agree with you about the tendency to go off topic here, as happens so regularly.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
8:58 am
Bernie, if you were to agree to stay on-topic for (say) the first 150 comments of a given thread, I would be willing to turn over my Spokesman for Black America (SfBA) title to you when my term ends on August 31. Would you be willing to assume those responsibilities?
Let me know at your earliest convenience, because several others have indicated they might be interested.
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
8:58 am
Brosephus™ @ 8:55 am – I called your doctors office and was told, The entire day was blocked out for YOU and your many issues!
John Daly
August 15th, 2012
8:59 am
@stands for decibels -7:32 This is called copying a fellow reporter’s work Jim Galloway reported on this on August 9 and made the same argument That Ralston was one-uping the Senate.
Mark in mid-town
August 15th, 2012
8:59 am
6. TEA PARTY rallies, the THOUSANDS of drawings of BLACK FACE OF
PRESIDENT OBAMA proudly worn on T-SHIRTS and POSTERS all over the
place!
7. The spitting in the FACE and the Racist “N” word name calling of the Honorable Rep. John Lewis on the steps of the U.S. CAPITAL Building in Washington, D.C. of ALL PLACES!
————————————————–
I’ve been at T Party rally, not to participate but just to observe. It was the most well behaved large gathering of people I’ve ever seen. Also, there is not one iota of evidence that the “N” word was ever hurled at that rally at the capital back in 2010, even though reward money was offered for anyone who could provide evidence.
Aquagirl
August 15th, 2012
9:00 am
Thanks for the answer. So other questions: should the legislators have to pay for their own lunch?
Brosephus has picked up this response, I agree with him. In your hypothetical situation why should the lobbyists be picking up the tab at all? What is so incredibly strange about paying for your own food at a restaurant?
FWIW, I agree with Kyle Wingfield’s idea(!) we should pay our legislators more, if they’re so broke a free meal is valuable there is a serious problem here. If they can afford their own meals, it shouldn’t be an issue.
Lois
August 15th, 2012
9:03 am
Well maybe is right Jay.The very one who has shown a history of unwarrantable personal benefit from lobbyist is now “doing the right thing”. The under the table tactics he claims will be prevalent if his bill is passed be damn. And they wonder why their constituents fail to trust them?
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 15th, 2012
9:04 am
Actually, Mark in MidTown, there is the word of those who were
verbally abused and spit upon.
There may be no VIDEO of it…..reward or not….
hiram
August 15th, 2012
9:05 am
People who run for office for the personal perks, shouldn’t be in politics, and the unwillingness to give them up, is a good indicator of who they are.
kayaker 71
August 15th, 2012
9:05 am
I get the feeling from Bookman and his sheep that they feel that this is a problem just because the Repubs control the GA Assembly. Nothing could be further from the truth. 130 years of Democratic control of our state house was not some kind of political nirvana where everyone was honest, serving the public and taking nothing on the side. And Murphy? No one maintains control for as long as he did without being complicit in this kind of chicanery. Ralston is just the politician of the day. Hell, you liberals sound more like Bozo all the time.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 15th, 2012
9:08 am
kayaker 71
Then you have the wrong feeling.
Big Time.
Mr. Silly Pants
kawasaki kid
August 15th, 2012
9:09 am
Ever since we voters starting putting Republicans in power, faith in our “so-called public servants” has been in rapid decline. The only reliable cure is term limits for all our sorry-butt politicians. Let’s make a CAREER IN POLITICS a thing of the past!
Jack
August 15th, 2012
9:09 am
Bookman is giving me whiplash. One day he’s concerned about the weather, next it’s a liberal knee-jerk on Ryan; now he’s back at the local level trying to rob a pol of his candy.
atler8
August 15th, 2012
9:10 am
Count me in as also cynical as regards nearly anything Ralson says or does. Early on in his tenure as Speaker of the Georgia House, I recall being hopeful for a positive change in house leadership when he took over after the horribly embarrassing & scandalous downfall of former speaker Glenn Richardson.
But, Ralston only talks a good talk & I have since learned that the rather positive radio interview I heard him do with WABE FM’s Dennis O’Hare ’s was just talk and nothing but that.
Pity Georgia but I’ve heard it said that we deserve the government we elect.
Intown
August 15th, 2012
9:12 am
Jay: I believe both Republican and Democratic primary voters voted yes overwhelmingly with regard to the ethics reform question on the ballot. I’m more inclined to believe your cynical interpreatation with the addition that Ralston is seeing ethics reform as popular with voters.
Doggone/GA
August 15th, 2012
9:13 am
“The only reliable cure is term limits for all our sorry-butt politicians”
Or in other words, we can’t trust the voters to rid themselves of poor politicians – so we’ll take the decision out of their hands. Sorry, but we already HAVE term limits: elections
Rightwing Troll
August 15th, 2012
9:14 am
It’s a ploy… he grudgingly accepts the 100.00 after championing the total gift ban, he’s suddenly a hero for standing up to those libural groups who wanted the 100.00 limit, but has to accept there’s only so far he can get them to bend… (and it all continues as normal, but much of it under the table)
And his consistuents will lap it up…
Gale
August 15th, 2012
9:15 am
Although I am in favor of the ballot box being a better solution to term limits, the voters seem unable to actually use that option. On the other hand, I am also fond of saying that we should not attempt to legislate for stupidity. I guess we are stuck with the stupid until we can educate voters to look beyond the lies that feel good to them.
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
9:15 am
stands for decibels (SfBA) – August 15th, @8:58 am Its kind of hard to do that when I see crazy statements like BOB @8:09. None of YOU TOADS are willing or have the GUMPTION to say anything to correct his statements and yet when I counter those you support, I hear you yelling like PIGS that have been kicked in the REAR!
I suggest, if any of you here disagree with any such off topic that you address them as I did upon sight!
as you have so quickly done unto ME!
Fair is Fair! I know that may be a new concept here, but its a pretty well known acceptable practice to engage in.
Recon 0311 2533
August 15th, 2012
9:16 am
Jack,
Just a little distraction today while Jay searches the far left blogosphere for something against the Romney/Ryan counter punch on Medicare that the Democrats were unprepared for.
atler8
August 15th, 2012
9:16 am
Mark in mid-town,
I have spoken to the woman who runs a tea party chapter in my county & I recall her venomous name calling directed towards the local politicians she did not agree with philosophically. Her labels included words like “Communist”. At the time, I thought to myself that it would not take much of a stretch to imagine hearing her use other derogatory names.
Just imagine though, my poor county has a Red Menace to deal with along with it’s other myriad list of problems!
JamVet
August 15th, 2012
9:17 am
Correction.
Democrats control the major areas of importance in this country, the west coast, the northeastern corridor and the upper Midwest. Which are the very centers of finance and business, intellect – as in the best universities and higher education – culture and human rights.
Republicans control the backwaters and inbred states…
Doggone/GA
August 15th, 2012
9:18 am
“One day he’s concerned about the weather, next it’s a liberal knee-jerk on Ryan; now he’s back at the local level trying to rob a pol of his candy”
Yeah, right. And if he only wrote on one subject day after day…then you’d be bitching that he “doesn’t have any comments on anything else”
Rightwing Troll
August 15th, 2012
9:19 am
“Nothing could be further from the truth. 130 years of Democratic control of our state house was not some kind of political nirvana where everyone was honest, serving the public and taking nothing on the side.”
Heh… Obama isn’t allowed to speak of or place any blame on the culture and policies of the previous administration, but 8-10 years after Republicans take total control of the GA legislature, the rampant corruption isn’t their responsibility, but the previous administrations???
hehe… facepalm…
Paul
August 15th, 2012
9:19 am
“After all this posturing, a failure to produce serious ethics reform in the next legislative session could only compound and further justify Georgians’ lack of faith in their so-called “public servants.””
Sounds like Old Age and Treachery may not have considered all the unintended consequences.
Good luck to you in Georgia.
One thing I can tell you from Texas: having gift bans does not keep the people from electing idiots.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
9:20 am
Ok, if you insist on Going There:
Also, there is not one iota of evidence that the “N” word was ever hurled at that rally at the capital back in 2010
I’m not going to defend Bernie and his off topic trollage, but as far as I’m concerned, if John Lewis says someone from the peanut gallery called him “n!gg3r”, I’ll take the man at his word instead of prissily insisting that “he has no proof, so it obviously never happened” as, it seems has become de rigueur amongst the conservative faithful.
Rightwing Troll
August 15th, 2012
9:20 am
“Republicans control the backwaters and inbred states…”
And 4 of the most obese states on record…
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
9:20 am
atler8
I saw bob’s post, but you tell me which one is more of an eyesore. Mr. Bernie’s making quite the name for himself on this blog. You would have had to sift through the crap from yesterday to understand. Today is one of those days where I’m kinda short on supply of patience. I’ll try to refrain from allowing my inner ABM to take control of my keyboard and let loose with what I really want to say.
Doggone/GA
August 15th, 2012
9:21 am
“Although I am in favor of the ballot box being a better solution to term limits, the voters seem unable to actually use that option”
Too bad. That’s how elections work. If you don’t like the results, then YOU need to get out and work harder for YOUR candidate next time.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
August 15th, 2012
9:21 am
stands
damn straight
atler8
August 15th, 2012
9:21 am
Kayaker 71,
We are talking about the here & now of Georgia legislative corruption, aren’t we? Does your finger pointing & saying “they did it too!” bring anything to the table & excuse what is happening now?
The thing is, while they chafed as the out-of-power party, the republicans always said that they would run things differently if given the reigns of power.
My question to you is, have they?
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
9:21 am
Brosephus™ @ 8:55 am – I called your doctors office and was told, The entire day was blocked out for YOU and your many issues!
Awwwww, bless your little heart. If that’s the best you can come up with, I really feel bad for you.
Mike
August 15th, 2012
9:22 am
an airplane and a brewery? Wow, what a job to have.
Just curious, is it malt liquor the taxpayers are paying for?
atler8
August 15th, 2012
9:24 am
Recon,
Glad to see that you stopped in at Faux News this morning and got your tired talking point of the day to spout to us at 8;55.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
9:24 am
Bernie @ 9.15, if someone has posted an off topic comment that seems offensive to you, of course you can address that. But it’s not THAT fine a line between a quick correction to mis-/dis-information, and wholesale thread-jacking, and I think you’re probably bright enough to recognize it before you actually commit the latter act.
Otherwise, hey, it’s Jay’s blog, he tolerates what he tolerates, I’m just making a friendly suggestion.
Doggone/GA
August 15th, 2012
9:25 am
” If that’s the best you can come up with, I really feel bad for you.”
It was pretty weak, wasn’t it?!
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
9:25 am
Mark in mid-town @ 8:59 am – I Believe and stand by the assertion of the Honorable Rep. John Lewis! especially when I see Hateful and Racist Black FACE drawings of America’s first African President at every RALLY of any TEA PARTY gathering!
Do you honestly think that ALL African Americans are STUPID? this is the assertion you trying and want us to think!
We know the TEA Party people! they are same ones from the 1950’s yelling and screaming and spitting. They are just a OLDER and Fatter and BALDER! the buzz haircuts have been gone for years! They have just been asleep until this President
was elected and you have now LOST your minds, because it was Your and their children that helped him get elected! You never thought such a thing would ever happen and you were caught off guard.
Mike Geigerman
August 15th, 2012
9:25 am
Time for major reform.. Term limits yes I am begging for my children’s American future.
kayaker 71
August 15th, 2012
9:25 am
JamVet, 9:17,
Your obvious elitism wears thin with all but the most dedicated leftist. And you think that voting for this clown in the WH is intellectual? That higher education and those “best” universities haven’t taught you much. Climb down from that pedestal. The rarefied air is getting to you.