StreetScooby 5 #1 April 24, 2014 Came across this article today. I thought it was very good, and gave me insight into a powerful politician that I personally don't care for. Incredibly partisan man, IMO, but also one with chops who is not afraid to use his power. Article is a bit long, but well worth the read. Harry Reid's Long, Steady Accretion of Power & Wealth There are many things that could be pointed out in the article, but here are a few selected ones. Reid is a tough guy, who has been in politics at a high level for a long time. Quote Harry Reid has spent more than 40 years in government, starting as a small city’s attorney and eventually becoming the most powerful senator in the country. He has raised tens of millions of dollars in political contributions, established himself as an institution in Nevada politics along the way, and made himself a very wealthy man. His humble roots -- from growing up in a remote desert town to working six days a week as a Capitol police officer while in law school -- are legend in Washington and Nevada. Reid exhibits the toughness of a once destitute boy who completely transformed his life through determination, hard work -- and good luck. Quote But he returned to public life in 1977 when O’Callaghan, still governor, appointed his former second-in-command to be chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission. The job -- seen then as undesirable, difficult, and perhaps dangerous -- further burnished Reid’s reputation as a tough and honorable public servant. While running the Gaming Commission, Reid publicly jousted with mob bosses, tried to choke someone for attempting to bribe him (in front of FBI agents who were filming the sting), and dealt with the aftermath of his wife discovering a bomb attached to the family car. Quote By the time he decided to run for a newly created House seat in 1982, Reid had standing as a politician with uniquely strong integrity -- and guts. He had taken on a powerful telephone company as a freshman in the Nevada Assembly, while also sponsoring innovative air pollution legislation. Nevadans also closely associated him with O’Callaghan, by then a popular former governor nurturing a reformist legacy. Reid’s show of strength and resilience during his Gaming Commission tenure rounded out his picaresque political profile. Still relatively young, he spent just two terms in the House before graduating to the Senate in 1987. He has been there ever since. The end of the article goes into numerous land deals that Reid has made that have made him a millionaire many times over. Seems to me that being an active lawyer for significant portions of his career gave him contacts and insight others may not have. Yes, looks like there was an appearance problem here, and maybe more, also. Either way, I'm taking from this article that Reid is one tough and savvy man. Quote That isn’t the only problematic land deal Reid was involved with at the time. In 2002, he put $10,000 into a pension fund controlled by another friend, Clair Haycock. The payment gave Reid a sizable parcel of land in Bullhead City, Ariz. According to the Los Angeles Times, Reid purchased the land for one-tenth of its estimated value (and one-fortieth of what it had sold for a decade earlier). Two actions created suspicion afterward. First, Reid sponsored an $18 million earmark for a bridge that would connect Laughlin, Nev., and Bullhead City. This bridge would likely increase property values in the area. Reid also introduced legislation that would benefit Haycock’s lubricant company. Reid aides denied that his support for the earmark or lubricant dealer bill was related to the land purchase. By 2011, Reid’s initial $10,000 investment was valued at between $250,000 and $500,000. The property did not appear in his 2012 disclosure. We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #2 April 24, 2014 It appears to me that he used his position and power to fatten his own bank account. Looks like he learned quite a bit as gaming commissioner while dealing with mobsters. Similar to Lansky, Capone and others. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #3 April 24, 2014 It struck me that he was in on the Vegas scene while it was still building. He clearly is not afraid to use his power. Apparently nothing moves politically in Nevada without his say so.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #4 April 24, 2014 Vegas, having been established by mobsters... Reid had to deal with them and it appears, some of that rubbed-off on him. What's the old saying... 'you lay down with dogs you come up with fleas? Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #5 April 24, 2014 Quote 'you lay down with dogs you come up with fleas? LOL!!! We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richravizza 28 #6 April 24, 2014 Funny No mention of "GREEN " Projects and Chinese solar Co.? or His son ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boomerdog 0 #7 April 24, 2014 QuoteFunny No mention of "GREEN " Projects and Chinese solar Co.? or His son ? Not yet at least! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #8 April 24, 2014 Reid is king of the scum sucking politicians. If you are having trouble seeing that here's your white cane.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #10 April 25, 2014 Quote Funny No mention of "GREEN " Projects and Chinese solar Co.? or His son ? Not yet at least! That's the next article in this series... (seriously...) We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boomerdog 0 #11 April 25, 2014 Yea...I know, I read the article myself. Reid and son need to look over their shoulders. Ya don't achieve what he's achieved without leaving bodies in the wake. Here's the problem; one or some of those bodies are going to rise up and "drop a dime on them." Ooops...I erred. Adjusting for inflation, they'll have to drop a dollar on them...but it'll be a dollar well spent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #12 April 25, 2014 Reid, like many others in politics, have been in their positions too long. Reid has used his position and power for his personal agenda and has ignored why the voters put him there. Yet, people keep voting him in. Washington needs a good 'house cleaning' and they need to start with Harry Reid. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #13 April 25, 2014 From article: QuoteReid exhibits the toughness of a once destitute boy who completely transformed his life through determination, hard work -- and good luck. I've been hearing that a lot lately... People now seem to attribute their success to good luck. In the past, it never seemed necessary to add the disclaimer of one also needing good luck when describing the "American Dream." If the American dream comes down to good luck, then it sounds more like a nightmare to me - having to put forth all that work only to have it rest on the flip of a coin....and like they say, the House always wins. One is probably better off just sticking to online poker, but then again, even that is illegal in the land of the free...Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #14 April 25, 2014 CoreeceFrom article: QuoteReid exhibits the toughness of a once destitute boy who completely transformed his life through determination, hard work -- and good luck. I've been hearing that a lot lately... People now seem to attribute their success to good luck. I think some people realize that a lot of life actually is pretty random (luck based). Sure, it also takes hard work, but there is a HUGE amount of luck also involved. Think about the success of people like the Koch brothers, John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, John Kerry. All of them were born winning the lottery. In the case of Kennedy, it might be said that the only reason he became president was because his older brother died in the war. Bad luck of the brother, good luck for John F. Think about a lot of the sports stars or super models you know. A LOT of their success comes from winning the genetic lottery which gave them physical prowess or beauty. Hard work, in and of itself, is no guarantee of success. It's nice to believe it is, but it's a flat out lie. One of the largest lies society perpetrates upon itself. Random chance (aka luck) is involved. Those people who acknowledge that are in my opinion showing a certain amount of humility. Those people who don't, a certain amount of arrogance.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #15 April 25, 2014 masterrigIt appears to me that he used his position and power to fatten his own bank account. Looks like he learned quite a bit as gaming commissioner while dealing with mobsters. Similar to Lansky, Capone and others. Chuck I wonder what his net worth was before he took office, and what it is now. I wonder the same about Obama.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #16 April 25, 2014 quadeThose people who acknowledge that are in my opinion showing a certain amount of humility. Yes, that's what I sensed as well when listening to the stories. I suppose it's no different then someone thanking God.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #17 April 25, 2014 turtlespeed ***It appears to me that he used his position and power to fatten his own bank account. Looks like he learned quite a bit as gaming commissioner while dealing with mobsters. Similar to Lansky, Capone and others. Chuck I wonder what his net worth was before he took office, and what it is now. I wonder the same about Obama. You too? What gets me is, these guys run for office on 'campaign donations' and in two or four years, they're filthy rich. That certainly is not from their paycheck as a politician. Connections, connections... The only requirement is out-bull-shit your opponent. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #18 April 26, 2014 masterrig ******It appears to me that he used his position and power to fatten his own bank account. Looks like he learned quite a bit as gaming commissioner while dealing with mobsters. Similar to Lansky, Capone and others. Chuck I wonder what his net worth was before he took office, and what it is now. I wonder the same about Obama. You too? What gets me is, these guys run for office on 'campaign donations' and in two or four years, they're filthy rich. That certainly is not from their paycheck as a politician. Connections, connections... The only requirement is out-bull-shit your opponent. Chuck And not just them .. . Bill Flores, Beoner, Pelosi, most of them.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #19 April 26, 2014 masterrig ******It appears to me that he used his position and power to fatten his own bank account. Looks like he learned quite a bit as gaming commissioner while dealing with mobsters. Similar to Lansky, Capone and others. Chuck I wonder what his net worth was before he took office, and what it is now. I wonder the same about Obama. You too? What gets me is, these guys run for office on 'campaign donations' and in two or four years, they're filthy rich. That certainly is not from their paycheck as a politician. Connections, connections... The only requirement is out-bull-shit your opponent. Chuck Do you guys wonder about these guys??? 1.Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) $294.21 Million 2.Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) $220.40 Million Poor ole Harry did not even crack the top 50... [url "http://www.rollcall.com/50richest/the-50-richest-members-of-congress-112th.html" ]The 50 Richest Members of Congress (2011) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #20 April 26, 2014 turtlespeed *********It appears to me that he used his position and power to fatten his own bank account. Looks like he learned quite a bit as gaming commissioner while dealing with mobsters. Similar to Lansky, Capone and others. Chuck I wonder what his net worth was before he took office, and what it is now. I wonder the same about Obama. You too? What gets me is, these guys run for office on 'campaign donations' and in two or four years, they're filthy rich. That certainly is not from their paycheck as a politician. Connections, connections... The only requirement is out-bull-shit your opponent. Chuck And not just them .. . Bill Flores, Beoner, Pelosi, most of them. Yup! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #21 April 26, 2014 Amazon *********It appears to me that he used his position and power to fatten his own bank account. Looks like he learned quite a bit as gaming commissioner while dealing with mobsters. Similar to Lansky, Capone and others. Chuck I wonder what his net worth was before he took office, and what it is now. I wonder the same about Obama. You too? What gets me is, these guys run for office on 'campaign donations' and in two or four years, they're filthy rich. That certainly is not from their paycheck as a politician. Connections, connections... The only requirement is out-bull-shit your opponent. Chuck Do you guys wonder about these guys??? 1.Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) $294.21 Million 2.Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) $220.40 Million Poor ole Harry did not even crack the top 50... [url "http://www.rollcall.com/50richest/the-50-richest-members-of-congress-112th.html" ]The 50 Richest Members of Congress (2011) We too have some real 'winners'. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #22 April 26, 2014 Quote I've been hearing that a lot lately... People now seem to attribute their success to good luck. In the past, it never seemed necessary to add the disclaimer of one also needing good luck when describing the "American Dream." If the American dream comes down to good luck, then it sounds more like a nightmare to me - having to put forth all that work only to have it rest on the flip of a coin....and like they say, the House always wins. Good point, +1We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #23 April 26, 2014 Quote I think some people realize that a lot of life actually is pretty random (luck based). Sure, it also takes hard work, but there is a HUGE amount of luck also involved. No, the word your looking for is HUGE amount of perseverance. Big difference. It also implies you don't quit, and learn from your mistakes. Quote Hard work, in and of itself, is no guarantee of success. It's nice to believe it is, but it's a flat out lie. One of the largest lies society perpetrates upon itself. Random chance (aka luck) is involved. Liberal think-speak at its best. Could not disagree with you more. So, tax people who "hit the lottery" and give it to those who don't want to work hard. What kind of society does that get you? Quote Those people who acknowledge that are in my opinion showing a certain amount of humility. Those people who don't, a certain amount of arrogance. Utter nonsense... So, the "man" has got you, huh? Don't even bother trying? Just live with the "luck" you've got, vote Democratic, and get handouts from the government. Is that what you're saying?We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #24 April 26, 2014 StreetScoobyQuote I've been hearing that a lot lately... People now seem to attribute their success to good luck. In the past, it never seemed necessary to add the disclaimer of one also needing good luck when describing the "American Dream." If the American dream comes down to good luck, then it sounds more like a nightmare to me - having to put forth all that work only to have it rest on the flip of a coin....and like they say, the House always wins. Good point, +1 If it were true, but according to Obama, you can't realise success. Only the government can give you success. You can't build a business and succeed. Someone has to do that for you.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #25 April 26, 2014 Quote Only the government can give you success. You can't build a business and succeed. Someone has to do that for you. You and I both know this isn't close to the truth, and is the antithesis of what this country is about.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
