Lieberman even more corrupt than I thought, everyone needs to know this

[Bjorn Against]

Everyone who still supports Lieberman should finally take pause after reading this piece by Joe Conason.

Now Mr. Lieberman has long been known to cultivate the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, which provide jobs in his home state and contributions to his campaign fund. But he has literally been sleeping with one of their Washington representatives ever since his wife Hadassah joined Hill & Knowlton last year. The legendary lobbying and P.R. firm hired her as a “senior counselor” in its “health and pharmaceuticals practice.”

<snip>

It would be uplifting to imagine that Hill & Knowlton—after spending the past decade as a defendant in tobacco class-action lawsuits because of its role in propaganda disputing the deadly effects of smoking—is now devoted to improving everybody’s health. More likely, the firm remains devoted to improving the profits of its clientele, which has historically included Enron, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, the Saudis, the Kuwaitis, American International Group and Boeing.

When a Senator’s wife works for one of the capital’s largest lobby shops—and others have—appearances tend to matter. In this case, something happened immediately that didn’t look very good.

Mrs. Lieberman signed up with Hill & Knowlton in March 2005. The firm’s clients included GlaxoSmithKline, the British pharmaceutical giant that manufactures flu vaccines along with many other drugs. In April 2005, Mr. Lieberman introduced a bill that would award an array of new government “incentives” to companies like GSK to produce more vaccines—notably patent extensions on other products, at a cost of billions to governments and consumers.

http://www.observer.com/20060717/20060717_Joe_Conason_politics_joeconason.asp

This would be a terrible case of corruption even if the cost of health care were not so high, but people are literally dying because they can not afford health insurance and then Lieberman puts forth a bill that raises the cost of health care for the benefit of his wife.

If this is not cause to be thrown out I do not know what is.

[Master Mahon]

1. Joe proves what it takes to be a republican

no matter what party you belong to!
It's not political, it's ideological and pathological!

[roguevalley]

26. I wonder if the lieberman apologist that was on a thread a while

ago 'expounding' on a list of points about what a mensch lieberman was will respond to this? I would be interested in their take on his inherent evilness.

[Totally Committed]

2. Proves what I've been saying...

Joe needs to go!

But, it does shed some light on why he will not allow a little thing like the voters voting him out to deter him from running anyway, doesn't it?

TC

[GrumpyGreg]

3. He's a politician. Politicians take care of # one,themselves.

Isn't this the same guy we were all rooting for a short time ago?

[Bjorn Against]

4. I was never rooting for him

He has always been my least favorite Democrat (if he has ever even been a Democrat that is). Being a politician does not excuse corruption. In a just society Joe Lieberman would be in prison for this type of theft of public funds for his own families personal wealth.

[Skelington]

He was the VP candidate not that long ago.

They are ALL politicians, Democrats and Republicans. The all out attack on Joe by Democrats is going to seem odd when he retains his position. Joe Liberman is no newbie to politics, his state will back him because he brings home the bacon. Look hard enough and there is a reason to hate EVERY politician, Democrat and Republican.

[IndianaGreen]

11. Holy Joe "brings home the bacon"? I hope not, he is Orthodox!

But your unintended defense of him is a good example of how Holy Joe has betrayed Democratic values, like a Jew that portrays himself as observant in public but in private "brings home the bacon" in violation of kosher laws.

[Skelington]

5. He was the VP candidate not that long ago.

They are ALL politicians, Democrats and Republicans. The all out attack on Joe by Democrats is going to seem odd when he retains his position. Joe Liberman is no newbie to politics, his state will back him because he brings home the bacon. Look hard enough and there is a reason to hate EVERY politician, Democrat and Republican.

[Bjorn Against]

6. He was a horrible choice for VP

I was mad when Al Gore chose him. Sure they are all politicians, but they do not all give massive perks to a corporation that a member of their own family has a stake in. Some do, and I strongly believe that every politician who engages in this type of corruption should have criminal charges filed against them.

This is white collar crime at it's worst, and at the very least it should cost Lieberman his seat.

[Skelington]

7. Are you sure it's a crime?

really, if it's a crime I'm sure it will come out, however I'm not sure it is. Joe has been bashed on, by DU for a long time now, I wonder what DU will call the people that re-elect him?

I'm sure that Republicans will be blamed for his re-election, but Democrats will keep him in office.

[Greyhound]

8. Those that don't engage in this type of shenanigans are too few and

fast becoming an endangered species. Our (you, me, the collective us) acceptance if this kind of blatant corruption, is inexcusable and we will pay the price for it while at the same time receiving nearly none of the benefits.

[Skelington]

9. is what he has done a crime? Please,

....I don't know and I'm asking.

I assume I will get several personal opnions relating his actions to a crime. However I don't really want to debate the moral implications of his actions, I'm just asking if it really is or is not a crime? Did he break a law or not?

[Bjorn Against]

10. yes it is illegal, however very difficult to prosecute

In order to prosecute you have to be able to prove that the reason he introduced the ammendment was for his own personal monetary gain, and that is very difficult to do no matter how obvious the corruption may seem. That is why so many politicians get away with this type of thing because it is not possible to read their minds and unless they get caught saying something that they shouldn't it is hard to prosecute. Besides members of Congress take care of their own, and they will do anything they can to protect each other from facing corrruption charges. Look at the William Jefferson case, obvious corruption yet neither Republican nor Democratic politicians have really gone after him heavily. Sure there were some calls for him to leave his leadership post, but as far as real ethics investigations many of them have been defending him.

[Skelington]

15. just noticed post #13, which one of you is right?

[Bjorn Against]

18. There is no contradiction

It is illegal, but difficult to prosecute. I never said anywhere that it was legal, and I never said anywhere that it was an easy prosecution.

[Skelington]

29. I know you said it was illegal, post #13 makes me feel a bit

shallow to point fingers when it seems to happen on both sides. I'm off to find out for myself, because I really want to know, and I think you are guessing. That is why I asked which one of you is right, you both cannot be correct, read post #13.

[Greyhound]

12. Doubtful. However, the fact that it isn't is a crime itself.

OTOH would you expect those that make the laws to subject themselves to the law? Not likely. It is more about legalized corruption, and holy joe isn't any worse than the others as far as I know.

If it were clearly illegal, every single member of the * maladministration would be serving lengthy sentences, instead of strolling the halls of power, as they all owe their success to the government, private sector, government, lobby firm, revolving door. Every single one.

[monarch]

14. "Brings home the bacon"

Not a chance! CT is one of the top two "donor" states.

[onenote]

13. hardly unique: Daschle, Harkin among others

Senators with wives that are lobbyists.

[bobbieinok]

16. Ruth Harkin is a lawyer .... what firms is she a lobbyist for??? links???

[onenote]

17. she was head of government relations for UTC for around 8 years

between 1997 and 2005, when she stepped down. By definition, someone who is head of government relations for a company is a lobbyist for that company.

http://www.utc.com/press/releases/2005-01-07.htm


Keep in mind that I'm not suggesting that Ruth Harkin or Linda Daschle did anything wrong. Just that Lieberman's wife working as a lobbyist isn't the first time such a thing has happened.

edited to add link to press release

[bobbieinok]

19. thanks

[Pharaoh]

20. well I'm sure Joe has a good answer

for all this..............:nopity:

[The Count]

21. Phil Graham had to "spend time with family" as the misus was Enron's

mouthpiece and near indictment.

[Straight Shooter]

22. Well, he did say his loyalty was not to the party (paraphrasing).

I guess his loyalty is to Mr. Greenback and all the pretty things that Mr. Greenback can buy.

[BrightKnight]

23. Barbara Boxer and other were right though

If he runs as an independent the seat is lost. Best to hold nose and let it go.

This will not be a popular position but it is probably the best political move.

He does vote Democratic 90% of the time.

[Rose Siding]

24. Even better! Convince him to drop the indy run.

Problem solved. No nose holding.

[BrightKnight]

27. checkmate, we lost - Let it go and fight the full-time Repugs

He will not renounce his independent bid. If he runs as an independent we WILL lose the seat.

Let it go and fight another battle.

[formernaderite]

25. Not just pharma and insurance...

he is supported by companies trading in the metals industry. I built a small addition for a client who was a repub, and told me he and his wife had to donate the maximum money to Liebermans pres primary campaign. I was confused because they were repubs...and he explained that his company pretty much pressured upper management to do so. He chuckled that it meant they didn't have any money left to donate to Bush and Company...so maybe it's not all bad. However, I hope we finally see Lieberman go down.

[samsingh]

28. kick