Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:09:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2017 0:12:39 GMT
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First the Republicans in the House, in a secret meeting, tried to gut the Independent Ethics Office. That is until the public let them know it wasn't a good idea. Then they brought back some law or whatever it is, from 130 years ago that allows Congress to drop a civil employee's salary to $1 if they don't like what they are working on. Now the Republicans in the Senate are pushing the confirmation hearings for trump's nominees without waiting for all the background checks to be completed as outlined in the attached letter from Walter Shaun, director of the Office of Government Ethics to Senators Warren and Schumer with a cc to old Mitch. What is it with Republicans in Congress and ethics? Why do they think it's a good idea to push through trump's nominees if all the background checks haven't been completed? The reason? They won so they don't care! When the Republicans got the majority in the Senate they wanted the American people to see how well the Republican controlled Congress could govern. Well so far I think if this is kind of stuff the Republicans are going to do then it's time to throw the bums out. This is just disgraceful.
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Post by librarylady on Jan 8, 2017 0:15:13 GMT
Maybe they have no ethical behavior is the response--IDK.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jan 8, 2017 0:19:06 GMT
They seem to be fast tracking everything --so quickly that it happens before anyone realizes what's going on.
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Post by pierkiss on Jan 8, 2017 0:20:01 GMT
Maybe they are planning on impeaching trump shortly after he is inaugurated, but they want his Supreme Court nominee to stick? (I don't actually think this, but I figure it can't be any weirder than their actual rationale!). I have no flipping idea what they are up to with all this, but it they seem like really weird moves, even if they are doing it because "we won". Or maybe they have no ethics.  |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:09:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2017 1:06:30 GMT
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I guess we had better get use to conflicts of interests and the lack of ethics. Who knows how trump is going to spin the handling of his businesses and that "blind trust" in his news conference on the 11th. My guess he will try and fool the people into believing he won't be involved by a slight of hand. We know he owes a fair amount of money but because he refuses to release his tax returns we don't know who holds his debt. Now I see his choice for Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council Monica Crowly wrote a book. A book that contains 50 examples of plagiarism. When this was pointed out to the trump transition team they just shrugged. I wish I could be like some and shrug and stick my head in the sand but this stuff, forget the differences in policy, really bothers me. I use to think this country was better than this. I guess not.
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,690 
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Post by RosieKat on Jan 8, 2017 1:10:17 GMT
I got nothin'. Does anyone (here) know if there's an actual requirement to have the ethical stuff cleared before Senate confirmation, or if it's "just" one of those things that makes sense and is traditional?
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jan 8, 2017 1:54:21 GMT
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I guess we had better get use to conflicts of interests and the lack of ethics. Who knows how trump is going to spin the handling of his businesses and that "blind trust" in his news conference on the 11th. My guess he will try and fool the people into believing he won't be involved by a slight of hand. We know he owes a fair amount of money but because he refuses to release his tax returns we don't know who holds his debt. Now I see his choice for Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council Monica Crowly wrote a book. A book that contains 50 examples of plagiarism. When this was pointed out to the trump transition team they just shrugged. I wish I could be like some and shrug and stick my head in the sand but this stuff, forget the differences in policy, really bothers me. I use to think this country was better than this. I guess not. I just read this! Incredibly disappointing. Tells me that republicans are willing to cheat, lie, steal to get what they want. This part is the biggest bullshit: "Trumpâs transition team is standing by Crowley. "Monicaâs exceptional insight and thoughtful work on how to turn this country around is exactly why she will be serving in the Administration," a statement from a transition spokesperson said. "HarperCollinsâone of the largest and most respected publishers in the worldâpublished her book which has become a national best-seller. Any attempt to discredit Monica is nothing more than a politically motivated attack that seeks to distract from the real issues facing this country." Unfuckingbelievable. I think the real issues are the asshat idiots in office who think it's okay to lie, cheat, steal. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:09:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2017 3:01:20 GMT
An author I like tweeted:
Aylet Waldman. "Republicans seem to be saying, "Look, you know we're all a bunch of thieves and liars. Why bother vetting us?"
I guess she's right.
Another tweet. This time from Norm Eisen an ethics guy from the Brookings Institute.
"The poor ethics tone at the top from Trump is creeping into every aspect of his administration and many of his picks."
Can't argue with that. I would add it's creeping through the ranks of Republicans in Congress as well.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 8, 2017 3:24:03 GMT
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I guess we had better get use to conflicts of interests and the lack of ethics. Who knows how trump is going to spin the handling of his businesses and that "blind trust" in his news conference on the 11th. My guess he will try and fool the people into believing he won't be involved by a slight of hand. We know he owes a fair amount of money but because he refuses to release his tax returns we don't know who holds his debt. Now I see his choice for Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council Monica Crowly wrote a book. A book that contains 50 examples of plagiarism. When this was pointed out to the trump transition team they just shrugged. I wish I could be like some and shrug and stick my head in the sand but this stuff, forget the differences in policy, really bothers me. I use to think this country was better than this. I guess not. I just read this! Incredibly disappointing. Tells me that republicans are willing to cheat, lie, steal to get what they want. This part is the biggest bullshit: "Trumpâs transition team is standing by Crowley. "Monicaâs exceptional insight and thoughtful work on how to turn this country around is exactly why she will be serving in the Administration," a statement from a transition spokesperson said. "HarperCollinsâone of the largest and most respected publishers in the worldâpublished her book which has become a national best-seller. Any attempt to discredit Monica is nothing more than a politically motivated attack that seeks to distract from the real issues facing this country." Unfuckingbelievable. I think the real issues are the asshat idiots in office who think it's okay to lie, cheat, steal. That sounds like a Kelley Anne comment. Ridiculous. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:09:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2017 4:11:27 GMT
Something I was just reading suggested the reason the Republicans are rushing trump's cabinet picks through without waiting for them to be fully vetted is because they are afraid if one is rejected trump will go "rouge" on them.
In other words they are afraid of what trump will do if he doesn't get his way. We have all see how vengeful he can be.
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lizacreates
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by lizacreates on Jan 8, 2017 4:34:37 GMT
Letâs not forget threatening to cut funds for our embassiesâ security unless Trump moves US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Thatâs the handiwork of Rubio, Cruz and Heller.
How about Steven Mnuchin, Master of the Universe, Trump's nominee for treasury secretary. He was OneWest Bankâs boss, and under his leadership, repeatedly broke California foreclosure laws for six years.
âAfter years peddling the kind of dangerous mortgage-backed securities that eventually blew up the economy, Mnuchin swooped in after the crash to take a second bite out of families by aggressively â and sometimes illegally â foreclosing on their homes,â Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a statement last month. Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, warned: âGiven Mr. Mnuchinâs history of profiting off the victims of predatory lending, I look forward to asking him how his Treasury Department would work for Americans who are still waiting for the economic recovery to show up in their communities.â
The consistent violations of California foreclosure processes outlined in the memo would indicate that Mnuchinâs bank didnât merely act callously, but did so with blatant disregard for the law.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jan 8, 2017 13:02:37 GMT
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Post by librarylady on Jan 8, 2017 20:47:38 GMT
Will we have a nation in 12 months, let alone 4 years?
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Post by Sam on Jan 8, 2017 21:05:31 GMT
Well, you know, politics and career politicians - BOTH sides. When being entrusted with the well-being of an entire nation becomes a 'game', it's an issue...just look at the blocking of the budget over the years and it becomes apparent that this type of crap has been going on for a long time...and played by both sides. It's just that, in this game play, pretty much everyone brought in the wrong player.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,415
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Jan 8, 2017 22:06:31 GMT
Well those are two words you don't see in a sentence very often, Republicans and ethics.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jan 9, 2017 0:44:32 GMT
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I guess we had better get use to conflicts of interests and the lack of ethics. Who knows how trump is going to spin the handling of his businesses and that "blind trust" in his news conference on the 11th. My guess he will try and fool the people into believing he won't be involved by a slight of hand. We know he owes a fair amount of money but because he refuses to release his tax returns we don't know who holds his debt. Now I see his choice for Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council Monica Crowly wrote a book. A book that contains 50 examples of plagiarism. When this was pointed out to the trump transition team they just shrugged. I wish I could be like some and shrug and stick my head in the sand but this stuff, forget the differences in policy, really bothers me. I use to think this country was better than this. I guess not. Who are you kidding? There isn't going to be any announcement or news about that on the 11th. He has not kept his word at all. |
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,248
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Jan 9, 2017 2:40:40 GMT
As frustrated as I am with the current political climate, I couldn't work up too much outrage over this. It's not like they were scuttling a longtime practice--this oversight has only been in existence since 2008. It served as an advisory group only and had no real power to do anything. There is no similar structure in place for the Senate.
However, given the whole "drain the swamp" narrative, the House Republicans came off as extremely "tone deaf" to what their constituents expect.
ETA: I just realized I posted this on the wrong thread!đĄ. I thought I was responding to a post elsewhere that was just talking about the dismantling of the outside ethics review, but I must have had multiple pages open. Sometimes
I hate peaing on my phone!
I am disturbed by the the other items on the list.
The $1 thing is just going to be used to retaliate against anyone who doesn't toe the line.
The vetting process is just going to be a joke, although Marco Rubio has injected a bit of hope for me with his pushback on the SOS nominee.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:09:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2017 2:44:14 GMT
As frustrated as I am with the current political climate, I couldn't work up too much outrage over this. It's not like they were scuttling a longtime practice--this oversight has only been in existence since 2008. It served as an advisory group only and had no real power to do anything. There is no similar structure in place for the Senate. However, given the whole "drain the swamp" narrative, the House Republicans came off as extremely "tone deaf" to what their constituents expect. Actually this vetting process has been happening for over 40 years. And the information turned up in this process could sink a potential cabinet nominee. There is even more of a reason for most of trump's nominees to be vetted. They have never run for public office and therefore never been publically vetted. Several come from a business background, which because of the positions they held, could lead to major conflicts of interest. The two Senators trump has picked have their own set of problems that need a closer look at in the vetting process. Sessions has been accused of racial actions as well as lying about what he actually did back in the day. Tom Price, his choice HHS, has been accused of taking huge "donations" from those in the medical industry. But the Republicans want to rush these confirmations through without doing the vetting other past cabinet picks had to go through. I suspect the reason is they know they could be problematic and don't want the distraction of potentially disastrous cabinet picks that would set off a twitter melt down from trump. The Republicans in Congress have an agenda and they don't want anything to distract them, like ethics and conflicts of interesting, from achieving that agenda. |
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Post by lovetodigi on Jan 10, 2017 2:53:38 GMT
Something I was just reading suggested the reason the Republicans are rushing trump's cabinet picks through without waiting for them to be fully vetted is because they are afraid if one is rejected trump will go "rouge" on them. In other words they are afraid of what trump will do if he doesn't get his way. We have all see how vengeful he can be. Just a suspicion, but perhaps the Russians also hacked the Republicans and are using whatever they found to have power over the ones in Congress. It would be to Putins advantage to have the flunkies that Trump has chosen, in control of whatever they were chosen for. Our country is about to be destroyed from the inside out. I do hope that I am wrong about the Russians controlling Congress and there are plans to remove Trump from office and put Pence in. It is our only hope. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:09:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2017 16:19:43 GMT
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Rather than start a new thread everytime trump or the Republicans in Congress display questionable actions I decided to recycle my "Republicans and Ethics " to include of trump and companies "misdeeds". First up is this op ed of how the Republicans in the House will not allow the CBO from reporting how much the ACA repeal will increase the deficit. In the article the author includes the part where the CBO will work up cost of any bill except the repeal of ACA. The reason I find this somewhat newsworthy is because how many times those on the right made it a BIG DEAL on how much President Obama's actions increased the deficit. Yet here is an example of the Republicans actions increasing the deficit and they are trying to hide it. Seems to me Bush did the same thing with the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Is this a Republican thing where they preach being "fiscally responsible" and then hide the fact when their actions "blow up the deficit"? From the article. âThe Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall, to the extent practicable, prepare an estimate of whether a bill or joint resolution reported by a committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations), or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, would cause, relative to current law, a net increase in direct spending in excess of $5,000,000,000 in any of the 4 consecutive 10 fiscal year periods beginning with the first fiscal year that is 10 fiscal years after the current fiscal year.â There is really nothing new in those instructions except for one new Republican âlimitationâ that says: âThis subsection shall not apply to any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereonâ (A) repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and title I and subtitle B of title II of the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010; (B) reforming the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.â (author bold)
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Post by lucyg on Jan 14, 2017 16:44:56 GMT
Doomed.
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Post by peano on Jan 14, 2017 16:59:27 GMT
I just read this! Incredibly disappointing. Tells me that republicans are willing to cheat, lie, steal to get what they want. This part is the biggest bullshit: "Trumpâs transition team is standing by Crowley. "Monicaâs exceptional insight and thoughtful work on how to turn this country around is exactly why she will be serving in the Administration," a statement from a transition spokesperson said. "HarperCollinsâone of the largest and most respected publishers in the worldâpublished her book which has become a national best-seller. Any attempt to discredit Monica is nothing more than a politically motivated attack that seeks to distract from the real issues facing this country." Unfuckingbelievable. I think the real issues are the asshat idiots in office who think it's okay to lie, cheat, steal. That sounds like a Kelley Anne comment. Ridiculous. Plagiarism is apparently nothing new for her. link
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,248
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Jan 14, 2017 16:59:56 GMT
As frustrated as I am with the current political climate, I couldn't work up too much outrage over this. It's not like they were scuttling a longtime practice--this oversight has only been in existence since 2008. It served as an advisory group only and had no real power to do anything. There is no similar structure in place for the Senate. However, given the whole "drain the swamp" narrative, the House Republicans came off as extremely "tone deaf" to what their constituents expect. Actually this vetting process has been happening for over 40 years.  And the information turned up in this process could sink a potential cabinet nominee. There is even more of a reason for most of trump's nominees to be vetted.  They have never run for public office and therefore never been publically vetted.  Several come from a business background, which because of the positions they held, could lead to major conflicts of interest. The two Senators trump has picked have their own set of problems that need a closer look at in the vetting process.  Sessions has been accused of racial actions as well as lying about what he actually did back in the day.  Tom Price, his choice HHS, has been accused of taking huge "donations" from those in the medical industry. But the Republicans want to rush these confirmations through without doing the vetting other past cabinet picks had to go through.  I suspect the reason is they know they could be problematic and don't want the distraction of potentially disastrous cabinet picks that would set off a twitter melt down from trump. The Republicans in Congress have an agenda and they don't want anything to distract them, like ethics and conflicts of interesting, from achieving that agenda. thanks for responding. I had not realized I had posted to the wrong thread. See my edit above. |
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Jan 14, 2017 19:13:42 GMT
Well, you know, politics and career politicians - BOTH sides. When being entrusted with the well-being of an entire nation becomes a 'game', it's an issue...just look at the blocking of the budget over the years and it becomes apparent that this type of crap has been going on for a long time...and played by both sides. It's just that, in this game play, pretty much everyone brought in the wrong player. I absolutely agree! |
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huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,086
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Post by huskergal on Jan 14, 2017 19:35:39 GMT
They will have no one to blame but themselves. Rally the forces for midterms in 2 years.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jan 17, 2017 3:28:17 GMT
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:09:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 4:50:50 GMT
WaPo article about why Trump doesn't get respect: "To Trumpâs many self-assigned superlatives, he can now add another: the sorest winner. With charity for none and with malice toward all but his supporters, he has in the past two months set a new standard for gracelessness in victory.... His behavior during this time has not been what one typically calls presidential. He has echoed both VladiÂmir Putin and WikiLeaksâ Julian Assange on Twitter and blasted away in all caps. He attacked Vanity Fair magazine editor Graydon Carter after an unfavorable review of a Trump Tower restaurant. His attack on a local steelworkers union president resulted in death threats."
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