All Dem Senators are Crooks

[Gravitymaster 0]

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It does seem like the Democrats are much more tolerant of immorality, especially among their elected representatives

Or, perhaps they are less judgmental, and thus less likely to declare that someone is immoral.

That's like saying if we had fewer laws, there would be fewer criminals.

Hard to argue with that. We could almost empty our jails if we abandoned the idiotic cannabis laws laws.

No argument there.

[dweeb 0]

It's too bad the righties want to grasp at straws.

The latest Reid hit piece

he AP's John Solomon, the go-to guy at the Associated Press for any anti-Democratic efforts, and this piece is absolute crap. The crux of the claim:

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid collected a $1.1 million windfall on a Las Vegas land sale even though he hadn't personally owned the property for three years, property deeds show.

Actually, he did own that land. It just so happened that three years ago, he transfered the property from his own personal name to that of an LLC.

It'd be kind of like me selling Daily Kos, and someone claiming I reaped a windfall from it because I "sold it three years ago". I didn't. Daily Kos became an LLC. As did Reid's piece of land.

And btw, this was all disclosed to the ethics committee. The place were things got sloppy is that Reid continued to disclose ownership of the land as a personal asset rather than ownership in the LLC which owned the land. But that's it. Fact is, the LLC had no other assets other than this piece of land, and Reid disclosed ownership of the piece of land.

Solomon is either being dishonest or an idiot. But watch the wingers and GOP try to gain traction off this story to divert from their coddling of a sexual predator.

Update: Note that there is no charge or evidence or anything that would suggest that Reid used his position of authority to boost the value of the land. That would be troublesome. As it is in NC-11 where Rep. Charles Taylor (R) used earmarks to line his pockets:

New Report Shows Taylor's Earmarks Benefit Land he Owns. According to a new report by the Wall Street Journal, Charles Taylor, a wealthy businessman and banker, was able to get millions of dollars in earmarks for his district to improve land where Taylor owns thousands of acres and where he has even developed. The report shows that Taylor owns at least 14,000 acres of prime land in his district, some of which is near the main highway in Maggie Valley which, last year, received $11.4 million in federal dollars. Taylor's companies own thousands of acres near the highway and had already developed a subdivision called Maggie Valley Leisure Estates. Another earmark last year sent $4.8 million to widen a highway through timber tracts that Taylor's companies own. He also got millions for a loan for long-time contributors and millions more for improvements to a park that sits directly in front of his flagship bank in the district.

Or, let's shoot even higher:

House Speaker Dennis Hastert denied Thursday that he pushed for federal funding for a proposed highway in northeastern Illinois so he and his wife could reap about $1.8 million from land deals near their home in Kendall County.

The Sunlight Foundation, a newly created group whose declared aim is to inform the public about what members of Congress do, has accused Hastert of not divulging connections between the $207 million earmark he won for a highway, the Prairie Parkway, and an investment he and his wife made in nearby land.

There are others -- Reps. Jerry Lewis, Richard Pombo, and Gary Miller for starters. This isn't a case of "everyone does it". It's a case of projection -- accusing Reid of doing something Republicans have made a habit of doing.

That they got the gullible or ideologically compromised Solomon to bite on the non-story was a nice touch, but has no bearing on the reality of the matter.

Update II: To refresh your memories, Solomon is this guy:

Associated Press writer John Solomon reported that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (NV) had attended three Las Vegas boxing matches as the guest of the Nevada Athletic Commission while the agency "was trying to influence him on federal regulation of boxing." But Solomon failed to inform readers that, rather than taking any actions favorable to the NAC, Reid allowed the specific legislation that the agency had opposed to pass.*

Subsequent info made Solomon's story even more ridiculous:

The Las Vegas Journal-Review and TPM Muckraker reported several facts that appear to undermine the thrust of John Solomon's Associated Press article suggesting that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) acted improperly by accepting free tickets from the Nevada Athletic Commission to, as Solomon claimed, three boxing matches at a time when the agency "was trying to influence him on federal regulation of boxing."

Some of those facts? The fact that state law prohibited Reid from reimbursing the commission for those fight tickets.

And that's not all. There's much more.

Update III: A tax lawyer reader writes:

FYI, I am a tax attorney. A single member LLC (i.e. an LLC owned 100% by a single person) is treated by the IRS as non-existent for tax purposes. The LLC owner continues to treat himself as the direct owner of the property for tax purposes as if the property were never transferred to the LLC. That could explain why someone might continue to consider himself the owner of property which he has transferred to a single member LLC.

A multiple member LLC is treated as a partnership for tax purposes. Again, if an existing partnership transfers property to an LLC owned by the same partners in the same percentages, the LLC will usually be treated as the same entity as the orignal partnership, and again an individual might reasonably believe that no transfer has taken place.

The latter paragraph is relevant to this discussion. Reid owned a 75 percent interest in two plots of land, his partner 25 percent. They created the LLC in the same exact percentages.

Ultimately, there might be a technical violation of Senate rules -- Reid has asked for clarification from the ethics committee. But bottom line is that Reid followed the spirit of the law. He disclosed his ownership of the land -- down to the exact plots -- which would allow for watchdogs to monitor any potential conflicts of interest. That is better than disclosing ownership in a shadowy private LLC, with no public access to its assets. (Which is, btw, essentially what Hastert did.)

[livendive 8]

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Republicans tend to believe in personal resposibility.

Thus the war on drugs...

Here's a hint, NEITHER of the major parties believe in personal responsibility. They both want to tell us how to live our lives.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[rushmc 23]

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To follow the Foley crap:

This will really backfire on the GOP, once it's revealed which GOP senators intentionally covered up a crime so they could spring it just before the election. Which GOP senators knew? Which ones should go to jail? (not saying any are actually guilty of course.) Once the truth comes out, the public will see what hypocrites the republicans are!

So, the persons that had the IM's until better timing politically are not?

Anyway, I am going to hold on to this one billvon

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Lucky... 0]

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THERE IS A DIFFERENT STANDARD

Some might even call it a double standard.

Sure, and if the Dems become conservative on issues, I hold them MORE accountable than I would if the Repubs do something very consevative.

It is double, but proportionate. When you act out of character, the same character you advertise, then people will call you a hypocrite and be very much more harsh with you than if someone did X that has been advocating those things, or at least not prohibiting them.

[Lucky... 0]

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THERE IS A DIFFERENT STANDARD

That seems pretty apparent around here.

Whether that's appropriate is the whole point of all this redundant discussion isn't it?

Not around here, but in the general spectrum of things/politics. What is also apparent is that the republican members here and in general are defending Foley, but the libs police their own, as with Lieberman. Have you noticed that, the Dems police their own, but the Repubs back their own and probably adminish in private? That's the difference here, but the double standard works both ways.

Face it, and if someone would even addess it, when you advocate the homophobe amendment you are on thin ice if you even discuss the possibility of a homosexual relationship, let alone be one.

[billvon 3,116]

>So, the persons that had the IM's until better timing politically are not?

Sorry you missed the implied smiley! That post employed sarcasm, a literary device often used here.

[idrankwhat 0]

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Yes, we have, but it has such a nice ring to it.

Actually, I keep thinking about a Saturday Night Live fake commercial for a dating service, it was for people that were not so attractive, I think it was called Lowered Expectations

When it comes to lowered expectations I keep thinking of a group of people who rally around a person who can't speak in complete sentences in his native language and who has a record of repeated failures, insisting that this is something that we should emulate and use as an example for leadership around the world

[idrankwhat 0]

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It's too bad the righties want to grasp at straws.

The latest Reid hit piece

he AP's John Solomon, the go-to guy at the Associated Press for any anti-Democratic efforts, and this piece is absolute crap.

Thanks for posting this. But don't expect many people to reply. They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth". I was listening to the report about this on the way home today and I still wasn't sure what he did that was so wrong. I guess this is strike four or five for Solomon. Not bad for one year.

[rushmc 23]

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>So, the persons that had the IM's until better timing politically are not?

Sorry you missed the implied smiley! That post employed sarcasm, a literary device often used here.

Sorry I did not see that was obvious. Guess you are just better at it...... at least I believe you think you are.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Gravitymaster 0]

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They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth".

Or maybe many of us just see it as a distraction from the real issues in this election. Just like the non-story about Foley which will disappear from the headlines after the election.

Too bad these stories aren't getting as much coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220145,00.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15220076

[jcd11235 0]

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They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth".

Or maybe many of us just see it as a distraction from the real issues in this election. Just like the non-story about Foley which will disappear from the headlines after the election.

Too bad these stories aren't getting as much coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220145,00.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15220076

The Dow generally has positive growth. Record highs are fairly common under either party's control.

Those of us that remember the record budget surpluses from before W. aren't very impressed with a $248 billion dollar budget deficit. It always amazes me that the party that claims they stand for personal responsibility can't seem to balance a budget by themselves.

Or maybe we could talk about how well things are going in Iraq?

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[Gravitymaster 0]

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Or maybe we could talk about how well things are going in Iraq?

I don't blame you for wanting to change the subject. Obviously the tax cuts are working so it's best to go back to a tried and true distraction from the important issues in the upcoming election.

I'd try chatting it up about Foley some more too, since that tactic is starting to turn off voters who see it as the election year ploy it is.

[jcd11235 0]

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Or maybe we could talk about how well things are going in Iraq?

I don't blame you for wanting to change the subject. Obviously the tax cuts are working so it's best to go back to a tried and true distraction from the important issues in the upcoming election.

Way to take my words out of context.

A $248 billion dollar deficit does not imply the tax cuts are working. It implies the government is planning to spend $248 billion dollars they do not have. That's over $825 for every man, woman and child in America in a single year.

Yeah. The Republican Congress and Whitehouse are just doing a bang up job.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[Royd 0]

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I mean a fair job paying fair wages, against the concept of Bush's rewriting of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, I mean the constant shooting down of the minimum wage increases that the Reps do to the extent individual states have upped it on their own, I mean providing health insurance to those that can't afford it. All these things the Repblicans try to make exclusive via their flowery term, "Personal responsibility.

I work for myself as a carpenter doing repairs and small renovations. I am never out of work. If I'm not in motion, I'm not making money.

If employees learned this principle, instead of thinking that an employer owes them something just for being, then more money would be made, thus increasing their chance of a raise.

I dare say that the average employee barely works six out of the eight hours that they are paid for, government workers excluded. They're lucky to do four out of eight, thus cheating their employers[you and me] out of their money.

If you are 30 yrs. old, and still only earning minimum wage, that really is a personal problem.

Improvment at any given skill can only be acheived by the person involved. No one can open your head and pour it in.

In the end it all does come down to personal resposnibility.

I notice a lot of posts, especially in Bonfire, made by people who are supposedly at work.

Look at it this way. If you are making $10 an hour, and only producing 4 hr. a day, you're actually making $20 an hr.You're also cutting you company's profits by that much.

[Gravitymaster 0]

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They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth".

Or maybe many of us just see it as a distraction from the real issues in this election. Just like the non-story about Foley which will disappear from the headlines after the election.

Too bad these stories aren't getting as much coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220145,00.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15220076

The Dow generally has positive growth. Record highs are fairly common under either party's control.

Those of us that remember the record budget surpluses from before W. aren't very impressed with a $248 billion dollar budget deficit. It always amazes me that the party that claims they stand for personal responsibility can't seem to balance a budget by themselves.

Or maybe we could talk about how well things are going in Iraq?

Tax revenues increased 11.8% while spending only increased 7.4% and somehow you view that as bad? WOW!!!

[NCclimber 0]

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The Dow generally has positive growth. Record highs are fairly common under either party's control.

You seem to be overlooking that we just went through the second largest recession since the Great Depression. It came after the greatest bull market in history. Yes, taking out the highs from 2000 is a big deal. And let's not overlook how the economy done over the last four years. From what I see, it's doing great.

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Those of us that remember the record budget surpluses from before W. aren't very impressed with a $248 billion dollar budget deficit. It always amazes me that the party that claims they stand for personal responsibility can't seem to balance a budget by themselves.

What always amazes me is how much Clinton's "budget surpluses" get tossed around. Those are essentially made up numbers... pretend surplus... that were never realized. Pro formas are great, but what matters are the actual results.

[NCclimber 0]

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What is also apparent is that the republican members here and in general are defending Foley, but the libs police their own, as with Lieberman. Have you noticed that, the Dems police their own, but the Repubs back their own and probably adminish in private? That's the difference here, but the double standard works both ways.

Earth to Lucky... Earth to Lucky... Come in Lucky.

"the republican members here and in general are defending Foley"? You've got to be kidding! Several people have tried to clarify what he did, in contrast to the dishonest condemnations made by others. I can't recall any instance where someone has actually defended him.

Your comparison using Lieberman is laughable. He is not being policed for unethical behavior. He's being attacked for not toeing the party line.

[idrankwhat 0]

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They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth".

Or maybe many of us just see it as a distraction from the real issues in this election. Just like the non-story about Foley which will disappear from the headlines after the election.

Too bad these stories aren't getting as much coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220145,00.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15220076

It's true. I'd rather talk about these sorts of issues in an election year than the typical crap that fills the airwaves. Unfortunately I can't spend much time on it today. But I will say that on the deficit issue that that argument for things "going well" is based on fuzzy math.

[idrankwhat 0]

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They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth".

Or maybe many of us just see it as a distraction from the real issues in this election. Just like the non-story about Foley which will disappear from the headlines after the election.

Too bad these stories aren't getting as much coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220145,00.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15220076

The Dow generally has positive growth. Record highs are fairly common under either party's control.

Those of us that remember the record budget surpluses from before W. aren't very impressed with a $248 billion dollar budget deficit. It always amazes me that the party that claims they stand for personal responsibility can't seem to balance a budget by themselves.

Or maybe we could talk about how well things are going in Iraq?

Tax revenues increased 11.8% while spending only increased 7.4% and somehow you view that as bad? WOW!!!

Do you realize that the current accounting counts the "extra" money coming in from social security as "income". That's one example.

[rehmwa 2]

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We could almost empty our jails if we abandoned the idiotic cannabis laws laws.

No argument there.

I, for one, am opposed to cannibalism and I can't believe you guys are defending Hannibal Lector.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Gravitymaster 0]

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They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth".

Or maybe many of us just see it as a distraction from the real issues in this election. Just like the non-story about Foley which will disappear from the headlines after the election.

Too bad these stories aren't getting as much coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220145,00.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15220076

The Dow generally has positive growth. Record highs are fairly common under either party's control.

Those of us that remember the record budget surpluses from before W. aren't very impressed with a $248 billion dollar budget deficit. It always amazes me that the party that claims they stand for personal responsibility can't seem to balance a budget by themselves.

Or maybe we could talk about how well things are going in Iraq?

Tax revenues increased 11.8% while spending only increased 7.4% and somehow you view that as bad? WOW!!!

Do you realize that the current accounting counts the "extra" money coming in from social security as "income". That's one example.

As it was in the 1990's but the Dems didn't seem to have a problem with counting it then.

What is significant is the deficit is only 1.9% of GDP whereas the last 40 years it has averaged 2.3%. When you factor in the money spent after Katrina, I'd say that's quite remarkable.

[kallend 2,148]

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Yes, we have, but it has such a nice ring to it.

Actually, I keep thinking about a Saturday Night Live fake commercial for a dating service, it was for people that were not so attractive, I think it was called Lowered Expectations

When it comes to lowered expectations I keep thinking of a group of people who rally around a person who can't speak in complete sentences in his native language and who has a record of repeated failures, insisting that this is something that we should emulate and use as an example for leadership around the world

politicalhumor.about.com/library/blbushism-foolme.htm

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kallend 2,148]

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They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth".

Or maybe many of us just see it as a distraction from the real issues in this election. Just like the non-story about Foley which will disappear from the headlines after the election.

Too bad these stories aren't getting as much coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220145,00.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15220076

The Dow generally has positive growth. Record highs are fairly common under either party's control.

Those of us that remember the record budget surpluses from before W. aren't very impressed with a $248 billion dollar budget deficit. It always amazes me that the party that claims they stand for personal responsibility can't seem to balance a budget by themselves.

Or maybe we could talk about how well things are going in Iraq?

Tax revenues increased 11.8% while spending only increased 7.4% and somehow you view that as bad? WOW!!!

Must account for this .

and this.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Gravitymaster 0]

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They're happy enough that they can use the headline today and maybe throw it into an argument later regardless of the fact that its has little to no "teeth".

Or maybe many of us just see it as a distraction from the real issues in this election. Just like the non-story about Foley which will disappear from the headlines after the election.

Too bad these stories aren't getting as much coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220145,00.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15220076

The Dow generally has positive growth. Record highs are fairly common under either party's control.

Those of us that remember the record budget surpluses from before W. aren't very impressed with a $248 billion dollar budget deficit. It always amazes me that the party that claims they stand for personal responsibility can't seem to balance a budget by themselves.

Or maybe we could talk about how well things are going in Iraq?

Tax revenues increased 11.8% while spending only increased 7.4% and somehow you view that as bad? WOW!!!

Must account for this .

and this.

Get back to us when you check out the deficit as a % of GDP.