First draft of ethics plan both encouraging, worrisome
House Speaker David Ralston
If tightened and passed into law, the ethics-reform package announced this week by House Speaker David Ralston could restructure relationships between lobbyists and state legislators and in some ways alter the Gold Dome political culture for the better.
Its core proposal is a provision that bans, rather than caps, most gifts from lobbyists to legislators. In an interview Thursday, Ralston dismissed a competing proposal of a $100 gift cap, calling it a “gimmick” because it puts no limit on the number of such gifts that a lobbyist could offer or a legislator could accept. A ban is more easily understood by all parties — lobbyists, legislators and the general public — and more easily enforced as well.
However, while the bill bans gifts to individual legislators, it puts no limit on what lobbyists can spend on legislators in groups, such as a House committee or subcommittee. Among other problems, that loophole plays into the hands of the most deep-pocketed of special interests. Banking lobbyists, for example, could afford to take the entire House and Senate banking committees out for a night’s dinner and entertainment, while consumer groups could not. At the very least, the legislation should put a per-head limit on such expenditures.
The bill also does too little to address the common practice of showering influential legislators with all-expense-paid, multi-day trips to resorts under the guise of speaking to associations and groups. (To Ralston’s credit, it does ban payment of golf-course fees and similar expenses on such outings.) It’s part of a legislator’s job to speak before annual conventions of professional associations and trade groups, and it’s appropriate to have legitimate expenses covered. However, appearing on a breakfast panel doesn’t justify a three-day suite at a top-end resort, all meals and beverages covered. Limiting it to a one-night stay would solve the problem.
The package offers important reform in other ways as well. It would require legislators to quickly report all campaign donations received after January 1 and just before the annual legislative session opens. Ralston refers to that window as “a frenzy of fundraising activity,” when those seeking help from the incoming Legislature often make donations. Requiring quick reporting of such contributions at least makes that window transparent.
More important, the bill restores a degree of autonomy to the state ethics commission. Several years ago, as punishment for a ruling on the use of corporate jets, legislative leaders stripped the ethics panel of the authority to make its own rules, crippling its operation. That power would be restored under the speaker’s proposal.
Unfortunately, the biggest flaw in the Ralston proposal is a doozy and a potential deal-killer. For some unknown reason, the bill redefines “lobbyist” so broadly that a PTA president speaking to a local school board or a neighborhood association leader who testifies before a planning commission would first have to pay $300 to register as a lobbyist. The same would apply to anybody testifying before or sending information to a legislative committee.
That’s unacceptable and unnecessary, a message that legislators say they have received loud and clear. On Thursday, a House subcommittee promised to extensively revise that language by next week, and Ralston echoed that pledge in our interview. There’s simply too much good in this proposal to allow it to fail on such grounds.
– Jay Bookman
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443 comments Add your comment
godless heathen - owner of many things he does not need
February 1st, 2013
10:29 am
Bomb exploded at US Embassy in Turkey. Another bad movie, we suppose.
alex
February 1st, 2013
10:29 am
@ LHU, and I suspect you were 1 of about 5 people who predicted the great recession? sheesh, come on , Unless, you’ve got some inside information and deep pockets , you best stay in an index fund and leave it here for YEARS, read naything by Bogle, read Sil;vers book, read Makiel (sp), don’t pontificate on this blog, read some one who knows this stuff, we as rank amatuers can’t read charts (and they sre rarely helpful anyway). DannyX, watching the daily stockmarket and acying on it is fool’s gold,how many of you know what makes up the DOW?….precisely……..Now, if you have some loose cash, i’ve got some condos in Boca……
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
10:30 am
53% …….. the % of the tax total burden that is considered fair for the top 2%. Obama is not like you – he is in the evil 1%. Obama’s got 4 mansions in 4 different states equipped with gardeners and maids. Even though Obama isn’t like you he likes to take AIR FORCE I on a spin every now and then so he can go slumming with the common folk,
Granny Godzilla
February 1st, 2013
10:30 am
as opposed to suburban warfare…..”The Battle for the Upfront Publix Parking Spot”
Oh the humanity
Jay
February 1st, 2013
10:31 am
” I will leave the whining, hating and gnashing of teeth to you on the far left.”
The lack of self-knowledge by certain posters is downright funny.
td
February 1st, 2013
10:31 am
stands for decibels
February 1st, 2013
10:25 am
I do not use the 20 round clip while hunting but I do have a few of them for self defense purposes.
I made the statement because almost any and all Semi-auto hunting rifles have the capacity to accept very large clips and the 30.06 round is really more lethal then the .223 round used in the AR-15 if both rounds are using the same bullet type.
Road Scholar
February 1st, 2013
10:31 am
td and Stevie Ray: You better look out for Bambo! (Thank you John Stewart!)
Erwin: “sometimes the predator becomes the prey”
Sometimes the predator who cannot hit what they aim at becomes the prey. There, I fixed it for you. Besides you can’t trust a rapid squirrel or rabbit!
Joe Hussein Mama
February 1st, 2013
10:32 am
E. Cat — “akin to shooting a grizzle with almost any caliber…chances are you’re just gonna p!ss him off”
I refer the interested reader to the WWI tale of Corporal Alvin York. Medal of Honor recipient.
During the assault, six German soldiers in a trench near York charged him with fixed bayonets. York had fired all the rounds in his M1917 Enfield rifle, but drew his .45 Colt automatic pistol and shot all six soldiers before they could reach him.
German First Lieutenant Paul Jürgen Vollmer, commander of the First Battalion, 120th Landwehr Infantry, emptied his pistol trying to kill York while he was contending with the machine guns. Failing to injure York, and seeing his mounting losses, he offered in English to surrender the unit to York, who accepted. By the end of the engagement, York and his seven men marched 132 German prisoners back to the American lines. His actions silenced the German machine guns and were responsible for enabling the 328th Infantry to renew its attack to capture the Decauville Railroad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_York#World_War_I
Then again, York’s certainly the exception.
Erwin's cat
February 1st, 2013
10:33 am
Besides you can’t trust a rapid squirrel or rabbit!
but…look at the FANGS!
Lord Help Us
February 1st, 2013
10:33 am
‘@ LHU, and I suspect you were 1 of about 5 people who predicted the great recession?’
You are correct. However, my investing philosophy is simple…buy great companies and hold onto them forever…
Class of '98
February 1st, 2013
10:34 am
Hey Jay, David Brooks wrote a column yesterday calling for more relaxed immigration laws for low-skilled, un-educated migrants from the third-world. As usual, this man simply never strays from mainstream conservative thought.
You must have missed it because you didn’t copy and paste it in it’s entirety in your blog.
alex
February 1st, 2013
10:35 am
@ Doggone, fools gold, only insider with deep pockets should jump around the market with transaction costs and taxes, etc..(your 403b is good for covered calls, though), be a bogle head, Invest in index and forget….
indigo
February 1st, 2013
10:35 am
In other words, this “ethics” bill has loopholes big enough to drive an 18 wheeler thru.
This is exactly what you would expect from The Georgia Legislature.
After all, we have the best Legislature money can buy.
Erwin's cat
February 1st, 2013
10:36 am
Then again, York’s certainly the exception.
saw the Jimmy Stewart movie ages ago
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
10:36 am
DebbieDoRight – Minister Of Propaganda
February 1st, 2013
9:49 am
You were in such a hurry to defend your hero so to miss the point of my post. Nobody should read these developments with negativity. Most economist including the feds suggest no worries since these are typical changes at this time of year as seasonal employees are turned loose and the other issue is that the gains were taken early so this is a predictable outcome at this time.
I still see any suggestion that our government can have a material impact on the economy as minimal. Too bad too much credit is given the the presiding WH dope…things happen under one’s watch that have no direct connection with particular WH dope. For example, BO never would have the opportunity to take the advice of his advisors to take out BL if it werent’ for the increased funding in ME intelligence network which was trashed by congress under Clinton…
Joe Hussein Mama
February 1st, 2013
10:39 am
E. Cat — “saw the Jimmy Stewart movie ages ago”
???
Don’t know that one. Perhaps you mean the Gary Cooper film?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_York
alex
February 1st, 2013
10:40 am
Jay “lack of self knowledge by certain posters….” so right Jay and your a PRIME example of lack of knowledge of your own bias..We agree…now read the book again …you crack me up….
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
10:40 am
td
February 1st, 2013
10:31 am
Self defense? Who exactly is out to get you? Suggest you keep the outside lights on…this is more effective than any theft prevention technique under the sun. Do you post signs outside your home that you possess the capability to wipe out an entire motorcycle gang? Or would you rather wait until they get inside to blow them away?
Why do you feel the need for such self defense and others like me don’t?
Look before I leap...
February 1st, 2013
10:41 am
Ethics reform is window dressing.
And in my more Pollyanna moments, it annoys me to no end that it is even necessary.
If politicians worked as hard to serve their constituencies as they do to line their pockets, this really would be a better country.
That said, lobbyists do perform a useful function – bringing ideas and issues to the attention of our legislators so I am not against the occasional meeting over dinner. But the efforts of lobbyists are rarely without the motive for financial gain. They simply should not be empowered to buy legislation that is beneficial to them, yet screws over John Q. Public.
Put a cap on the largesse, make it completely mandatory and transparent, and make the penalties for abuser swift and harsh (open censureship, removal from committees and chair posts). In other words, make the consequences so distasteful that even the thought of sticking your hand in the cookie jar is scary.
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
10:42 am
“Why do you need anything that shoots 20 rounds?” My in laws might come over…. or the neighbors may want to borrow my lawn mower AGAIN. Who knows when WWIII may start? Violent home invaders on meth. Street gangs seeking revenge. Jehovah’s Witnesses won’t leave when you politely ask them too. Door to door salesmen, Aggravating census takers. Vampires, zombies, etc. etc. etc. Did you need more reasons?
Erwin's cat
February 1st, 2013
10:42 am
Cooper is correct..
Jay
February 1st, 2013
10:45 am
Brooks was endorsing increased LEGAL immigration, Class. Supposedly, conservatives are only opposed to ILLEGAL immigration. Supposedly, they don’t have a problem if it’s done within the law, correct?
Or do conservatives now oppose immigration in general, to keep “those people” out? Is that what you’re saying?
skipper
February 1st, 2013
10:46 am
Morality,
As one said before. “What do I do now?”
Leave out the Jehovah’s Witnessess……you can just invite them in. They will not know what to do, since that never happens!!!!!!
indigo
February 1st, 2013
10:47 am
td – 10:31
I hope you live out in the country far away from any other houses.
Otherwise, is you unload 20 rounds in your house shooting at the bad guys, you’ll probably kill them AND your next door neighbors.
indigo
February 1st, 2013
10:48 am
Morality – 10:30
Another mindless comment.
Well, at least you’re consistent.
Jay
February 1st, 2013
10:49 am
Morality, you left out “stranger accidentally pulling into my driveway”.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
10:50 am
JAY
Which should come first, increased border security or whatever “amnesty” like provision? IMO, if you do the latter first, the former will never happen…similar to Reagans outcome.
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
10:50 am
10:03 – “Buy & Hold”……. famous last words. Anyone investing in THIS market needs stop losses in place and a target price to sell. Just yesterday a friend said ” I bought America Online and still have it. GOT TO HAVE A PLAN TO SELL riding a stock all the way up and back down is for losers. GTD.
Lord Help Us
February 1st, 2013
10:51 am
‘Morality, you left out “stranger accidentally pulling into my driveway”.’
How about, ‘kid walking back from store while kullurred.’
DownInAlbany
February 1st, 2013
10:51 am
Erwin’s cat
February 1st, 2013
10:36 am
Then again, York’s certainly the exception.
saw the Jimmy Stewart movie ages ago
Gary Cooper
alex
February 1st, 2013
10:52 am
@ Look, agree with your comments, but look at abrahoff(?) a lot of damage can be done before they are caught..
Erwin's cat
February 1st, 2013
10:53 am
Morality, you left out “stranger accidentally pulling into my driveway”.’
How about, ‘kid walking back from store while kullurred.’
hmmm….so now we’ve gone beyond assault rifles…who would have predicted that?
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
10:53 am
C’mon Jay..don’t you realize that at times, it is simply necessary to put a cap in anothers head? What did that guy use? A vintage tommy gun? I understand a missle lauching tube was surrendered in California as part of a cash for guns thingy..stinger missles I think…
Thats what I call perimeter security…drones? no worries.
getalife
February 1st, 2013
10:53 am
Throwing more billions away to secure the border more is extreme waste.
Look at the facts.
Illegal crossings are way down.
Deportations are way up.
Citizen of the World
February 1st, 2013
10:54 am
I see the discussion has already gone from long-overdue ethics reform to long-overdue gun control reform. There are a lot of areas that need reforming, and the main thing that keeps this from happening is the corrupting influence that money has on our politics. Bring on ethics reform and campaign finance reform!
barking frog
February 1st, 2013
10:54 am
Undocumented aliens comprise a population easily exploitable
by unscrupulous businesses and individuals. Good for the
economy just like the drug trade.
Redcoat
February 1st, 2013
10:56 am
No gifts, nothing of value allowed. Stick to business read and listen to any and all on issues……make a decision……push term limits.
meanwhile…….Arm security saves the day at Atlanta middle school.
RB from Gwinnett
February 1st, 2013
10:56 am
LHU, “Yea, cuz the first few years when he turned surpluses into deficits, got us into Iraq, mismanaged Afghanistan, pushed a huge new entitlement through were so cool…”
Oh, I thought we were talking about the economy. So, now you want to ignore the economy (because it doesn’t make Obama look good) and talk about other stuff. So would you like to talk about Gitmo still being open, the mess the middle east continues to be even though Obama promised to fix it all, Benghazi and a few dead Americans and the Youtube video lie, troops being sent into Libya without congressional approval, and we could go on…
And just so you don’t think we’re ignoring Bush’s spending habits, we’re not happy about it either. He spent like a drunken democrat.
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
10:56 am
Indigo – My comments are only consistently mindless to those that are incapable of comprehended the complex.
getalife
February 1st, 2013
10:58 am
“And just so you don’t think we’re ignoring Bush’s spending habits, we’re not happy about it either. He spent like a drunken democrat.”
And you cheered him on so you have zero credibility.
td
February 1st, 2013
10:58 am
indigo
February 1st, 2013
10:47 am
td – 10:31
I hope you live out in the country far away from any other houses.
Otherwise, is you unload 20 rounds in your house shooting at the bad guys, you’ll probably kill them AND your next door neighbors.
The 20 round clips are in case we have riots or a natural disaster or WW3 and people are coming from outside. If someone breaks into my house then the 12 gauge Semi auto with 00 buck will be waiting for them and if that does not work then 44 mag comes out.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
10:59 am
getalife
February 1st, 2013
10:53 am
Has much to do with existing border security as much as down jobs market here..imagine if amnesty is provided first how that incentive will encourage more illegals, despite labor market…
We will simply have another million(s) of illegals in no time. I’m all for amnesty with subjectivities of course, but we need to better control the border…also, deporting any illegals in prisons (a cost of 50K per year) back to where they came from is another good disincentive.
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
10:59 am
Jay 10:49 – I don’t get strangers in my driveway – must be the “enter at your own risk signs” and “beware the dog”.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 1st, 2013
10:59 am
Jay:
On this one we can agree.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
11:00 am
RB from Gwinnett
February 1st, 2013
10:56 am
Lest ye forget the promises to bring criminal actions against wall streeters and telecom operators…he took the money instead.
getalife
February 1st, 2013
11:00 am
SR,
There is no amnesty if you listen to our President which cons never do..
They get to the back of the line after paying fines and taxes.
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
11:02 am
Jay – 10:59 – If it’s not the signs it could be the moat full of crocs and the draw bridge that makes strangers shy away.
appleseed
February 1st, 2013
11:02 am
I just hope Obama never gets to the lives lost under Bush.Prosperity measured in lives,injuries,falsification.
Lord Help Us
February 1st, 2013
11:02 am
‘Oh, I thought we were talking about the economy.’
Yes, we were. Bush’s tax cuts, coupled with a couple trillion dollars of wasted military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan and a huge new entitlement program turned huge surpluses into deficits. Once the Great Recession hit (six years into Bush’s admin) he left Obama with Trillion dollar deficits…remember?
‘He spent like a drunken democrat.’
Did you vote twice for a drunken democrat? For shame…
DannyX
February 1st, 2013
11:03 am
“And just so you don’t think we’re ignoring Bush’s spending habits, we’re not happy about it either. He spent like a drunken democrat.”
rb, Getalife is right. You cheered and defended every Bush move right here on this blog. You were one of his biggest defenders.
Jay
February 1st, 2013
11:03 am
We already have increased border security, Stevie Ray. We’ve got more than twice as many Border Patrol agents on duty as we did in 2004. Deportations set all-time highs every year. We now have more than 80,000 people in federal immigration enforcement.
“Increased border security” is an ever-shifting goal post, because no matter how much you increase it, you can increase it more.
td
February 1st, 2013
11:03 am
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
10:42 am
“Why do you need anything that shoots 20 rounds?” My in laws might come over…. or the neighbors may want to borrow my lawn mower AGAIN. Who knows when WWIII may start? Violent home invaders on meth. Street gangs seeking revenge. Jehovah’s Witnesses won’t leave when you politely ask them too. Door to door salesmen, Aggravating census takers. Vampires, zombies, etc. etc. etc. Did you need more reasons?
Here is the best reason: It is none of anyones business because it is a Constitutionally protected individual right.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 1st, 2013
11:03 am
Stevie is clueless as to what is currently happening on the border or how much we are spending. My suggestion would be to review the prior thread get information instead of repeating the same tired arguments previously disproven. Tell us how much more you want to spend to hit the 100% secure border. Exact numbers please.
getalife
February 1st, 2013
11:04 am
“Did you vote twice for a drunken democrat? For shame…”
He did like the other cons.
We needed a tea party for w.
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
11:06 am
getalife – “They get at the back of the line after they pay taxes and fines”. Like I said “immigration reform” is all about politicians getting themselves reelected and the Fed gub’ment scratching for every dime they can bleed from these poor immigrants.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
11:07 am
The shooter from Price Middle should be punished severely….like putting his parents behind bars if it was their unsecured gun..that will get attention across the country..
Look before I leap...
February 1st, 2013
11:07 am
Funny how this thread got hijacked within minutes.
The cons seem much more interested in talking about guns and immigration than ethics.
I find that interesting and a bit sad.
appleseed
February 1st, 2013
11:08 am
what happend to the #8 buck???????
getalife
February 1st, 2013
11:09 am
no morals,
For the gop, it is to try to get some of the Latino votes.
For the Dems, it has always been a goal.
For our President, it is payback for the Latino votes that helped him win twice.
mm
February 1st, 2013
11:09 am
It’s pretty telling that these bozos need a “plan” for ethics.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 1st, 2013
11:09 am
I don’t get strangers in my driveway – must be the “enter at your own risk signs” and “beware the dog”.
Deflection. Do you believe that a homeowner has the right to kill a stranger who pulls into their driveway by mistakes? Or knocks at the wrong door by mistake?
Living With Open Eyes
February 1st, 2013
11:09 am
1)The stock market rose because big business has put the fix in for an unlimited cheap labor supply with their good old boy lobbyists in dc.
2)Lobbyists should be prohibited from any contact with legislators anywhere except on the floor of the legislative branch, during session, and on open public record. To accept any other interactions only encourages corruption.
Look before I leap...
February 1st, 2013
11:10 am
“rb, Getalife is right. You cheered and defended every Bush move right here on this blog. You were one of his biggest defenders”
Well that certainly explains RB’s chronic bitterness. And here I thought it was due to being constipated.
getalife
February 1st, 2013
11:12 am
cons never cared about ethics or campaign reform.
They slobber on the wealthy that do not need their help.
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
11:12 am
Got to go now so HAVE A GOOD DAY! That means everyone as I do discriminate against anyone regardless of race, sex, age, handicap, sexual orientation, intelligence or criminal back ground. (smiley face patent applied for).
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
11:12 am
Jay
February 1st, 2013
11:03 am
Those are good indicators for sure but despite these efforts, do we know how many illegals actually got past the increased border security?
I don’t disagree with you but I worry that we will simply be in the same position in no small amount of time if we provide more incentive…everybody knows this makes illegal immigration more attractive…and profitable.
Jay
February 1st, 2013
11:13 am
“And just so you don’t think we’re ignoring Bush’s spending habits, we’re not happy about it either. He spent like a drunken democrat.
This always amuses me. It completely ignores the fact that during most of his presidency, Bush also had both a Republican House and a Republican Senate, where people such as McConnell, Boehner, Ryan and others were voting in support of the big spending supposedly perpetrated by this Bush fellow alone.
kayaker 71
February 1st, 2013
11:14 am
Funny email yesterday…… Bozo and Bozoette walking down some street in DC at the Inauguration Ceremony surrounded by a gazillion SS agents, each no doubt with a weapon….. caption at the bottom….quote courtesy of Bozo…..”You don’t need a gun to protect yourself”.
DownInAlbany
February 1st, 2013
11:15 am
Topics crossed off Jay’s list of possble subjects:
IRS: Cheapest Obamacare Plan Will Be $20,000 Per Family
Stall: Unemployment Ticks Up to 7.9%
Menendez Prostitution Scandal: Donor Melgen’s Political Contributions Exploded After IRS Filed Tax Lien
Dominican Flights Cost Menendez Up to 18 Percent of Net Worth
Hagel: Iran Has ‘Legitimate’ Gov, I Mean ‘Recognizable’
8.5 Million Americans Left Labor Force In Obama’s First Term
Newtown Calls for Armed School Officers
MSNBC Airs Sandy Hook Father’s Unedited Testimony After Critics Complain
CNN: Senators ‘Shocked’ at How Ill-Prepared Hagel Is
getalife
February 1st, 2013
11:16 am
Yes, if you really want to see outrageous spending every single day, go back and look at w’s rubber stamp congress.
I don’t think our President’s rubber stamp congress after 14 will even come close to that outrageous waste of your money.
stands for decibels
February 1st, 2013
11:17 am
surrounded by a gazillion SS agents, each no doubt with a weapon….. caption at the bottom
Seriously, how much glue does one have to sniff to find something like that^^ anything but pitiful and sad?
It reminds me of Scout’s stupid “BUMPER STICKER!!” posts. I really wonder how these overgrown children function.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 1st, 2013
11:17 am
That’s some ego K71. You truly believe that you are as big of an assassination target as the President?
stands for decibels
February 1st, 2013
11:17 am
I am glad that td cleared it up for us that the 20 round clip was for huntin’ kuhllurds, and not deer.
Granny Godzilla
February 1st, 2013
11:18 am
100% secure border?
and some say there are no dreamers left in our nation.
Lord Help Us
February 1st, 2013
11:18 am
‘Funny email yesterday……’
Did you get the one about the vote fraud where 100+ voters voted in some precincts? Or, the one about 79% of GM business coming from the US gov’t?
kayaker 71
February 1st, 2013
11:18 am
Down in Albany, 11:15,
You might add a growth rate of point one percent, the most abysmal growth that this country has seen in half a century.
Lord Help Us
February 1st, 2013
11:19 am
‘ the most abysmal growth that this country has seen in half a century.’
That one is a hoot…
Jay
February 1st, 2013
11:19 am
“Here is the best reason: It is none of anyones business because it is a Constitutionally protected individual right.
No, td, it is NOT a constitutionally protected right to possess a 20-round magazine. Or an assault weapon, for that matter.
California, for example, bans magazines of more than 10 rounds. It also bans assault weapons. Those restrictions have been on the books, and enforced, for decades now. If those laws were unconstitutional, they would have been challenged and overturned by now.
They have not.
getalife
February 1st, 2013
11:20 am
kay,
Show me great growth after a collapse.
kayaker 71
February 1st, 2013
11:20 am
Keep, 11:17,
It only takes one animal crashing through your front door and the odds are even.
Granny Godzilla
February 1st, 2013
11:20 am
k71 an assassination target?
can a man be “taken out” with a tossed banana cream pie?
DownInAlbany
February 1st, 2013
11:23 am
Jay
February 1st, 2013
11:19 am
How often does something legal to own / possess today, become illegal tomorrow?
Erwin's cat
February 1st, 2013
11:23 am
California, for example, bans magazines of more than 10 rounds. It also bans assault weapons. Those restrictions have been on the books, and enforced, for decades now.
and yet still has the 4th highest murder by gun rate per capita in the nation…it may be constitutional, but it ain’t effective
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_violence_in_the_United_States_by_state
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 1st, 2013
11:23 am
Really K71? So you are afraid of a squirrel? How many people holding your job have been assassinated? Please do tell us why you deserve a Secret Service team. I did not hear you complain once when the GOP candidates received SS protection.
kayaker 71
February 1st, 2013
11:24 am
The interpretation of what the second Amendment says regarding magazines, types of weapons, who can own what….. none of that was specified in the second amendment. All of these ‘interpretations” have been made by some person with an opinion….. and that is sort of like the other thing we all have in common.
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
11:24 am
11:09 Payback, kickback, payoff – and I guess he is “our” Prez (unfortunately). Yes the Repubs will go along to get reelected – but it won’t be by my vote. The Dems are out to “payback” those that voted for them and Obama and “contributed” (kickbacks,payoffs, etc) to their coffers. They won’t get my vote either. I am tired of these long term at the Fed gub’ment trough PARTY LOYALIST politicians that put PARTY before the FISCAL future of the USA. Do we need immigration reform. YES. Will it be observed? Are the CURRENT immigration regulations being observed by Obama? NO. Same old same on from the backboneless politicians. TERM LIMITS for Congress.
barking frog
February 1st, 2013
11:24 am
kayaker71
I sincerely hope you are not spending your golden years
crouched in your home surrounded by weapons awaiting
some animal to crash through your door.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
11:24 am
Living With Open Eyes
February 1st, 2013
11:09 am
“unlimited cheap labor” is a minute, arguable irrelevant issue at hand. Technology and our evolution to a service based economy are the major culprits..Oh yeah, the need to compete globally is no small issue either..
The last I saw, in 2001 to 2011, we lost 2.7 million jobs overseas…about 80% were manufacturing. We have 12.3 million currently our of work…I don’t think that includes those giving up, so over a decade we lost on average 270K jobs per annum. Additionally, do you realize that high tech companies started doing this in the mid 80’s? Check and see how many Apple, Seagate, HP, Intel, Dell and the likes employ or outsource overseas..the libs get all dramatic but this really isn’t the real reason behind unemployment levels..
Due to technology, need to compete globally, and move to serice economy…this is inevitable but gets all the play from left due to allegiance to an ever shrinking union population.
dbm
February 1st, 2013
11:24 am
Jay
February 1st, 2013
9:59 am
In a past thread you seemed to imply a different definition. As I understand you from that thread, an assault weapon is a weapon that looks and acts enough like a military weapon to play into the deadly fantasies of potential mass shooters. This is why it is appropriate to include cosmetic features in the legal definition. Can you clarify?
Granny Godzilla
February 1st, 2013
11:25 am
Good News
Dems say the got 60 votes on VAWA…..
Thanks to the thoughtful Republicans who are standing up for what’s right,
kayaker 71
February 1st, 2013
11:25 am
Keep, 11:23,
I do not want nor do I need a SS team to protect me and my family. My 12ga will do just fine. Just leave it alone.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
11:26 am
I see that CHU is leaving his post as energy secretary.
I’m laying less than even odds he goes directly to green fund or green lobbying firm…they owe him no small amount of favor…
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 1st, 2013
11:27 am
Senator Rivera?
With that mustache? Of course, the Senate would be a great place for him to utilize all that experience obtained while hunting for Capone’s lost treasure?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 1st, 2013
11:28 am
I see K71. So you are not an assassination target. So your little failed joke has nothing to do with reality. You can admit that now right?
stands for decibels
February 1st, 2013
11:28 am
and yet still has the 4th highest murder by gun rate per capita in the nation…it may be constitutional, but it ain’t effective
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Last I checked, we weren’t patting down people as they cross state borders.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 1st, 2013
11:29 am
If you NEED a 12 gau to protect you and your family, maybe you aren’t quite living the good life??
Maybe start socializing with a better group of people? Maybe move to a better part of town?
Morality?
February 1st, 2013
11:30 am
11:09 – Alright already – Just for YOU – no I don’t condone shooting someone that accidentally enters my driveway or knocks on my door. No “deflection” was intended.
getalife
February 1st, 2013
11:30 am
That is good news Mrs. G.
Finally.
rivera is proof our country is out of leaders.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 1st, 2013
11:31 am
Jay, Randy Travis was caught with a breathalizer reading 2x legal limit. Do we get another one of his songs today?
At least he wasn’t in a ditch…..naked….again.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
February 1st, 2013
11:32 am
FINN
I don’t own and never will own a gun. I’m getting the idea that by not doing so, I’m less at risk from needing weaponry for self defense as it seems that those with guns seem to have the highest risk..at least you can deduce that from all the comments here.