Americas Worst Ten

[Amazon 7]

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12054520/the_10_worst_congressmen/1

1) DENNIS HASTERT (R-ILL.)

Hastert could well be the weakest House speaker in history. Tapped by Tom DeLay to serve as the mild-mannered frontman for the GOP leadership, the former wrestling coach ceded most of his power to the now-disgraced majority leader, allowing Republicans to treat the Capitol as their private piggy bank. Last year, Hastert got in on the action himself, secretly inserting $207 million into the budget for the "Prairie Parkway" -- a highway that will speed development of 210 acres he owns in Illinois. Before the year was out, Hastert sold part of his land -- soon to be the site of a sprawling subdivision -- for a profit of $2 million.

2)JAMES SENSENBRENNER JR. (R-WIS.)

No politician better embodies the zealotry of the 109th Congress than Sensenbrenner, chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee. His solution to hot-button issues is always the same: Lock 'em up. Sensenbrenner has proposed legislation that would turn 12 million undocumented immigrants into felons, subject any adult selling a joint to a teenager to at least ten years in prison, and incarcerate college kids for failing to narc on their hallmates. He also wants to prosecute anyone who utters an obscenity on the air. Big fines just aren't tough enough for indecent broadcasts: As Sensenbrenner told a group of cable executives last year, "I'd prefer using the criminal process rather than the regulatory process."

In addition to his assault on free speech, Sensenbrenner has also played a major role in curtailing civil liberties. He was the lead House sponsor of the Patriot Act, which gives the government broad powers to spy on Americans. Although the measure was intended to stop terrorists, Sensenbrenner insists it should also be used in routine criminal cases.

3)DON YOUNG (R-ALASKA)

Powerful enough to earn the moniker "Alaska's Third Senator," this seventeen-term congressman and former tugboat captain knows how to haul home the bacon. Thanks in no small part to his efforts, Alaskans receive $1.87 in federal funds for every dollar they contribute in taxes. Last year, Young leveraged his post as chairman of the House Transportation Committee to stuff the highway bill -- "like a turkey," in his own words -- with nearly $1 billion in pork-barrel projects for his home state.

4)WILLIAM JEFFERSON (D-LA.)

While his constituents back home were still reeling from the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, Jefferson was lining his own pockets in Washington. In May, the FBI raided his office after the Louisiana Democrat was caught accepting $100,000 in bribes -- most of which was later discovered in Jefferson's freezer. Vernon Jackson, the CEO of iGate, was sentenced to seven years for bribing Jefferson to push the tech company's products on the U.S. Army.

5)JERRY LEWIS (R-CALIF.)

Aside from future jailbird William "Dollar Bill" Jefferson, the sitting congressman most likely to be indicted is Lewis. As chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Lewis oversees nearly $900 billion a year in federal spending -- but anyone looking for a slice of that money has to deal with his best friend, lobbyist Bill Lowery. "If you want an earmark from Lewis, you have to hire Lowery," says Melanie Sloan of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. "There's a direct exchange." In return for the business, Lowery and his clients made more than $480,000 in contributions to Lewis -- more than a third of the congressman's total campaign money since 2000. Lowery's firm, in turn, tripled its revenue to $5 million -- and his clients pocketed hundreds of millions in federal pork projects from Lewis.

6)TOM TANCREDO (R-COLO.)

The House Immigration Reform Caucus certainly has its share of hard-core xenophobes: One member, Rep. Steve King of Iowa, calls illegal immigration a "terrorist attack on the United States" and wants to erect an electrified fence to control Mexicans like livestock. But the founder of the caucus -- and the undisputed king of Republican bigotry -- is Tancredo, a dark-horse presidential contender for 2008. "He's got the best track record in Congress," raves Gordon Baum, head of the Council for Conservative Citizens, a "pro-white" group that lauds Tancredo for protecting America from a "full-scale invasion" of Latin immigrants.

7)DICK POMBO (R-CALIF.)

No member of Congress has worked harder to savage America's natural resources than Pombo, a Stetson-wearing cattleman who ran for office after a nature trail was slated to run through his family's 500-acre ranch. As chairman of the House Resources Committee, Pombo has waged a career-long campaign to abolish the Endangered Species Act, which he accuses of putting "rats and shellfish" before people. Last year he almost succeeded: His comically titled "Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act" would have phased out all protection for threatened wildlife by 2015. Pombo has also won passage of bills to eliminate habitat protections on 150 million acres of wilderness and to lift a quarter-century moratorium on offshore oil drilling.

8)CURT WELDON (R-PA.)

Weldon might be laughed off as a harmless crank if he weren't vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee. When he doesn't like the intelligence he hears from America's spy agencies, he makes up some of his own. He continues to insist that Saddam Hussein had WMDs -- and smuggled them to Syria prior to the U.S. invasion. He promotes the moonbat theory that a Special Forces unit called "Able Danger" flagged three 9/11 hijackers prior to the attack on the Twin Towers -- a flight of fancy discredited by the 9/11 Commission. He even developed his own super-secret source -- code-named "Ali" -- to provide him with intelligence on Iran. The problem was, Ali turned out to be a pal of Manucher Ghorbanifar, the Iran-Contra go-between rejected by the CIA for fabricating intelligence.

9)HAL ROGERS (R-KY.)

No congressman has single-handedly put America at greater risk than Rogers. As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security, he has placed the interests of his own district ahead of defending the nation from Al Qaeda, prompting even the archconservative National Review to call him a "congressional disgrace."

Since the 9/11 attacks, Rogers has abused his position to steer production of a system designed to enhance airport security to a factory in Corbin, Kentucky. The trouble is, the factory wasn't equipped to produce the tamperproof biometric ID cards favored by security experts. So Rogers forced the government to spend $4 million to test the factory's technology -- steering some of the work to a tiny company that hired his son. When the factory flunked the test, Rogers delayed the process again, demanding that prototypes for new cards be built in Kentucky.

Rogers also steered a no-bid contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars to a trade group with no relevant experience in airport security -- after the group paid for Rogers to take six trips to Hawaii and one to Ireland. "It's as if he grabbed people off the street and said, 'Hey, would you manage a critical homeland-security program? No experience required,' ?says Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste.

10)MARILYN MUSGRAVE (R-COLO.)

Musgrave has made regulating the bedroom behavior of her fellow Americans the focus of her entire career. An evangelical Christian who married her Bible-camp sweetheart, Musgrave does not believe in the separation of church and state. She entered politics in 1990, running for her local school board on a crusade to end sex education as part of the curriculum. By the time her tenure was over, the schools taught "abstinence only" -- and offending passages in health textbooks had been blacked out. During her eight years in the Colorado legislature, Musgrave continued her moralizing, overcoming two vetoes by the governor to pass a state ban on gay marriage.

Once in Congress, Musgrave introduced a constitutional amendment to outlaw gay marriage -- which she calls "the most important issue that we face today" -- nearly a year before a Massachusetts court approved civil unions. "She doesn't like the idea of one gay person," says Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts. "So obviously the idea of two of us hanging out makes her very unhappy." For her opposition to gay marriage -- as well as her push to legalize concealed weapons -- Musgrave received an endorsement from the KKK in May.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi doesn't consider Musgrave's move to rewrite the nation's founding document a laughing matter. "She is trying to taint the Constitution," Pelosi says. "That is a violation of the oath of office." But Frank notes one thing he admires about Musgrave: "If you're going to have someone who's a hater, it's best that she's not very bright. I appeared with her in a couple of forums to debate her bill, but she's totally incapable of even explaining what it says."

[DZJ 0]

And there was me thinking Britain had some crap politicians...


[Incidentally, do I detect an oh-so-subtle anti-Republican theme emerging...?]

[steveorino 7]

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[Incidentally, do I detect an oh-so-subtle anti-Republican theme emerging...?]

D'ya think?

steveOrino

[Amazon 7]

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[Incidentally, do I detect an oh-so-subtle anti-Republican theme emerging...?]

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D'ya think?

Hell they had a Democrat on there that needs to be investigated to the full extent of the law... and if found guilty.. needs to go to jail too.

IT just seems there are far more republicans right now feeding at the PORK trough like the little piggies they are.... all at the expense of the American people in general.

[NCclimber 0]

It is pretty subtle.

Tancredo made it because he opposes our accomodating, subsidizing nature of illegal aliens, but Allan Mollohan gets a pass.

[Amazon 7]

I bet Alan Mollohan is not endorsed by the UPTOWN KLAN... the C of CC

Edited to add.. that when I was growing up there was a little phrase used by my parents and grandparents...

" You will be KNOWN by the company you keep"

[NCclimber 0]

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I bet Alan Mollohan is not endorsed by the UPTOWN KLAN... the C of CC

Edited to add.. that when I was growing up there was a little phrase used by my parents and grandparents...

" You will be KNOWN by the company you keep"

Perhaps you can show where Tancredo has had anything to do with the KKK. Just because they like what he's doing, it doesn't mean it's a two way street.

David Duke wrote a column titled "Why Cindy Sheehan is right."

What's that say about her?

[Amazon 7]

To use a favorite tactic of the righties here.... Do you have a "CITE" for that???

[NCclimber 0]

http://www.davidduke.com/index.php?p=350

Dayum - this must mean Cindy Sheehan supports the Klan.

From what I've heard, she's a big fan of porn chat rooms.

[Amazon 7]

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Dayum - this must mean Cindy Sheehan supports the Klan.

From what I've heard, she's a big fan of porn chat rooms.

Great way to support a GOLD STAR mother....just because she does not agree with your NEO-CON PNAC view of the world...it seems the right does just about anythign to run her down.....

Its an opinion piece.. on a KKK Website.. normally I dont get to read those too often...I am not surprised others here DO read them though..

[lawrocket 3]

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And there was me thinking Britain had some crap politicians...

Well, Britain DID have the recent one who literally was a "crap" politician after dropping Cleveland Steamers on prostitutes. Or were they dropping them on him?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[NCclimber 0]

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Dayum - this must mean Cindy Sheehan supports the Klan.

From what I've heard, she's a big fan of porn chat rooms.

Great way to support a GOLD STAR mother....just because she does not agree with your NEO-CON PNAC view of the world...it seems the right does just about anythign to run her down.....

Sorry about cooking one of your sacred cows. I was just using the same kind of tacit endorsement you employed.

Why do you think I'm a NEO-CON? I've opposed the idea of invading Iraq since February 2003.

[lawrocket 3]

To go back to the original post, there's plenty of stuff that I see as mere puffery.

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi doesn't consider Musgrave's move to rewrite the nation's founding document a laughing matter. "She is trying to taint the Constitution," Pelosi says. "That is a violation of the oath of office."

Come on!!! The Equal Rights Amendment was an attempt to rewrite the Constitution. Article V of the Constitution reads in part, "The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution..."

To suggest that following Constitutional procedure is a violation of the oath of office is silly.

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No member of Congress has worked harder to savage America's natural resources than Pombo, a Stetson-wearing cattleman who ran for office after a nature trail was slated to run through his family's 500-acre ranch.

Some of us object wholeheartedly to any attempt to take private land for public use. I wouldn't want my swimming pool to be considered a public beach.

Stuff like this is just plain silly.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Gravitymaster 0]

They gave this Porker a pass too.

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CAGW Names Rep. David Price Porker of the Month
Washington, D.C. Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today named Rep. David Price (D-N.C.) Porker of the Month for requesting a $750,000 federal earmark that helped pay for electronic arrival-time signs now being deployed at several bus stops in his district in Chapel Hill.


The satellite tracking system, unveiled in late September, also lets riders check bus arrival times on their computers and cell phones, saving them the trouble of relying on printed schedules like millions of other commuters around the country.

The project’s total cost is estimated to be about $950,000; with 14 bus stops, that’s roughly $67,857 per sign. The same company that is installing the Chapel Hill system won a contract with Alameda-Contra Costa Transit in California that included 100 signs for $1,031,079, or $10,310.79 per sign.


The Chapel Hill Transit bus system, already partially subsidized by federal money, is fare-free for riders. If the transit system introduced a modest $0.16 charge per ride, its 6 million annual commuters could pay for the signs within twelve months.


The project was included in CAGW’s 2003 Congressional Pig Book for fulfilling several pork criteria: not requested by the President; requested only by the House, and serving a local or special interest. Rep. Price sits on the House Appropriations Committee, infamous for earmarking the lion’s share of pork for its members’ districts.


Rep. Price made it a federal priority that public commuters in a single town can know the exact minute their bus is arriving. If Chapel Hill commuters are unwilling cough up a few dimes for this luxury, federal taxpayers certainly should not be forced to oblige them.


What taxpayers really need is a sign to let them know how long it will take for Congress to bankrupt the federal government. For adding to the deficit with an unnecessary and ridiculous pork project, using the federal Treasury to make a free ride even easier for his constituents, and typifying the wastefulness of congressional appropriators, CAGW names Rep. David Price the October 2006 Porker of the Month.

Not defending Republicans either. I think it's an outrage by both Parties.

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[Amazon 7]

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Why do you think I'm a NEO-CON?

I guess the constant posts about supporting right wing positions here since you signed up.. MIGHT just have led me to believe you were....

[Amazon 7]

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Some of us object wholeheartedly to any attempt to take private land for public use. I wouldn't want my swimming pool to be considered a public beach.

THere is a difference between what he has done.. and things like the 400 ft of river frontage I own that I cant develop AT ALL...because after getting ALL of the permits from the City.. the county.. and the STATE... the Corps of Engineers stopped my project to replace the pilings on my property.. and build a 50' dock at which I wanted to be able to tie my boat up at..... and why????? They stated that the 50' dock posed a threat of a hiding place for the Northern Pike Minnow( AKA Squawfish) to predate on the numerous salmonid smolts migrating to the Pacific Ocean down the Columbia River. Now.. I have fished the Columbia River for years.. and have owned this land on the slough since 1992...I have fished on the slough and NEVER even seen a salmon.. they stick to the main stem of the Columbia.. During that time.. the assessed value has gone from $19000 to $92500.... with the attendant increase in property taxes... going from $190 per year to WELL over $1000 per year for property I cant do a friggin thing with other than to drive down there .. park on the side of the road.. and look at the wall to wall blackberry bushes( a non native species) that I am not allowed to friggin cut because its in a FUGGING WETLAND that the Corp controls

On the OTHER hand..your poster boy for gutting the environment.. on REAL issues that affect a hell of a lot of us.. is well documented...I guess we ALL deserve air and water quality likte so many places in CA.. and or TEXAS....ever flown into Houston??? YUCK.

Edited to add...
http://www.votepomboout.org/

Named one of 13 most corrupt members of Congress.

Close associate of indicted Rep. Tom DeLay and lobbyist Jack Abramoff

Working vigorously to overturn environmental laws and destroy our natural heritage

A right-wing zealot in charge of the House Resources Committee




Pombo's agenda: overturn the Endangered Species Act, restart commercial whaling, sell off our public lands to mining companies, see intensive logging of our national forests, gut the Clear Air and Clean Water acts and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore regions, prevent any increase in fuel efficiency standards, overturn bans on highly toxic pesticides, and take no action regarding global warming.

Meanwhile, the 11th District suffers from polluted air, high rates of asthma, tainted water, poverty, high infant mortality, substandard schools, workers struggling harder and commuting longer, high housing costs, and an overloaded transportation system. Pombo has been in office since 1993, and he has done little to benefit his district while pursuing his hard-right, anti-environmental agenda and enriching his friends, family, and cronies through corrupt campaign financing practices.

[akarunway 1]

So. All the precious land can be bought up by the wealthy w/ no concern to the common citizen? Kinda reminds me of all the beachfront property in Ca. that was subsized by the govt. Homeowners promised access and reneged. Pardon the spelling. I'm drunk. and have Ca OSHA on the other line

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[NCclimber 0]

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Why do you think I'm a NEO-CON?

I guess the constant posts about supporting right wing positions here since you signed up.. MIGHT just have led me to believe you were....

Challenging left wing positions and assertions isn't the same as supporting right wing positions.

The world is pretty gray.

[dorbie 0]

A couple of nasty characters in there but mostly it's flagrant political bias. It's one thing to criticise someone for corruption, but it's quite shameful to equate representatives with criminals because of the policy they espouse, as is the case with most of the anti-republican criticism here.

The the only obviously criminal behavior in the entire thing is the Democrat stuffing cash in his freezer and his entire party (heck the entire congress) rallied behind him to obstruct a legal search of his office conducted under a court issued warrant.

There's no mention in here of Cynthia McKinney for example who is the other obviously criminal congresswoman. The whole thing is biased and highly selective and throws a token Democrat out there more to smear the Republicans by association with genuinely criminal behavior.

[Amazon 7]

I guess you missed the part about family members.. who got to slobber at the PORK Trough too.. last I checked that sort of thing was ilegal in most places.

[NCclimber 0]

Amazon,

I don't think anyone can honestly defend the self-serving practices of the Republicans in that article. Still, the article looks fairly biased considering it attacks Tancredo and that "church lady" (I forget her name), while excluding people like Mollohan.

[Amazon 7]

Hell I want them all gone...fire all of them.. if they are not supporting the people who elect them....get rid of them.. D or R....

And get rid of the 18th century landowners special... the Electoral College as well.. if we are going to support democracy.. then lets get on with it and have one here at home.

[rehmwa 2]

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Hell I want them all gone...fire all of them.. if they are not supporting the people who elect them....get rid of them.. D or R....
And get rid of the 18th century landowners special... the Electoral College as well.. if we are going to support democracy.. then lets get on with it and have one here at home.

worth seeing again

...
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

[jcd11235 0]

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Hell I want them all gone...fire all of them.. if they are not supporting the people who elect them....get rid of them.. D or R....

And get rid of the 18th century landowners special... the Electoral College as well.. if we are going to support democracy.. then lets get on with it and have one here at home.

I agree.

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

[DZJ 0]

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And there was me thinking Britain had some crap politicians...

Well, Britain DID have the recent one who literally was a "crap" politician after dropping Cleveland Steamers on prostitutes. Or were they dropping them on him?

Must have missed that one. What was it about?