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politics
Obama Bans All Lobbyists! (Except Ones He Likes)
Within mere seconds of becoming the world's most powerful person, Barack Obama defied Washington politics by issuing an all-powerful executive order that bans recent lobbyists from working in the White House. And then he asked a lobbyist to be his deputy defense secretary.
(In 2004, we would call this a flip-flop.)
The idea behind the "revolving door" ban is to ensure a higher standard of ethics, forbidding private-interest experts on certain subjects (like military contracting, labor or education) from enacting official policy that could benefit their former employers. It's one of those cleaning-up-Washington promises that is just so attractive to voters.
So naturally, a few people on The Hill have some qualms about Obama's nominee for the Pentagon's No. 2 spot, William Lynn, a former Raytheon lobbyist who said he will sell his stock in the military contracting company.
One of the peeved is again-senator John McCain. "Before I can determine whether to support his nomination as deputy secretary of defense, I intend to ask him to clarify for the record what matters and decisions will require his recusal," the maverick said in a statement.
Raytheon got $18.3 billion in government contracts in 2007. When Lynn was a lobbyist, he helped craft U.S. policy for contracts, missiles and radars. The general argument against lobbyists working for the government is that they know exactly how to benefit their old companies by creating laws specifically catered to the policies they once helped write.
Obama's people, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, say that if Lynn had to limit his work because of his old job, he wouldn't be a very effective deputy. Meanwhile, CNN's Ed Henry says new White House spokesman Robert Gibbs avoided his question about why Lynn is an appropriate exception. Gibbs dodged the toughy and said that if Lynn ever leaves the White House, "he'll never, as the president said, be able to lobby this administration as it relates to the work that it does for the length or entirety of that administration."
Executive exceptions, like presidential pardons, seem to carry a we-know-better-than-you scent of hypocrisy. Maybe change only comes in small doses.
(In 2004, we would call this a flip-flop.)
The idea behind the "revolving door" ban is to ensure a higher standard of ethics, forbidding private-interest experts on certain subjects (like military contracting, labor or education) from enacting official policy that could benefit their former employers. It's one of those cleaning-up-Washington promises that is just so attractive to voters.
So naturally, a few people on The Hill have some qualms about Obama's nominee for the Pentagon's No. 2 spot, William Lynn, a former Raytheon lobbyist who said he will sell his stock in the military contracting company.
One of the peeved is again-senator John McCain. "Before I can determine whether to support his nomination as deputy secretary of defense, I intend to ask him to clarify for the record what matters and decisions will require his recusal," the maverick said in a statement.
Raytheon got $18.3 billion in government contracts in 2007. When Lynn was a lobbyist, he helped craft U.S. policy for contracts, missiles and radars. The general argument against lobbyists working for the government is that they know exactly how to benefit their old companies by creating laws specifically catered to the policies they once helped write.
Obama's people, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, say that if Lynn had to limit his work because of his old job, he wouldn't be a very effective deputy. Meanwhile, CNN's Ed Henry says new White House spokesman Robert Gibbs avoided his question about why Lynn is an appropriate exception. Gibbs dodged the toughy and said that if Lynn ever leaves the White House, "he'll never, as the president said, be able to lobby this administration as it relates to the work that it does for the length or entirety of that administration."
Executive exceptions, like presidential pardons, seem to carry a we-know-better-than-you scent of hypocrisy. Maybe change only comes in small doses.
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nick
10:12AM 10:12AM Jan 24th 2009
Here we go again the moron is going back on his word about hairing guys who are expert lobby guys. This fuller brush guy and used car saleman is a joke. Some different when he was on his knees out their sucking up to the folks for votes. Now he is all for killing little babys at anytime that the mother wants to kill the child, told the Spainish vote to get over it, he is the savior and he makes the rules. Now he is talking about screwing the old folks on their social security to pay for his project bros and sisters. This guy just loves spending the tax payers money. I can't wait tell one of the ass holes get out of the camp in Cuba and blow something up in the US. What will obama boy rpt boy say then?
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Connie
10:48AM 10:48AM Jan 24th 2009
So far he has turned a blind eye and even made excuses for the person he picks as Treasury Sec! And now this! Moral of the story, if you don't pay your taxes, you can qualify to be Treasury Sec and head the IRS! And if you lobby washington hard enough and get the biggest contracts, you qualify to be Deputy Defense Secretary! Anyone else seeing a pattern here?
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Willet
11:18AM 11:18AM Jan 24th 2009
It's only going to get better Matt.
"Live from Washington D.C...IT'S DEMOCRATS IN POWER"
Starring The Ready for America in Transition Players: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, HILLIARY CLINTON, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Al Franken and John McCain.
Featuring expert commentary on: How to create billions of dollars in toxic assets in America's financial sector by Barney Franks and Chris Dodd; tax evasion tips by Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner and pardons for fugitives from the law by AG Eric Holden.
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Tammie
7:58PM 7:58PM Jan 27th 2009
Yall are ALL idiots the man has been in office for a wk.already complaining. It's AMAZING the complaining was NOT this much when our previous president put us in this situation
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Addie
11:46AM 11:46AM Jan 24th 2009
WHAT DID THAT REV. WRIGHT SAY.."the chickens have come home to roost"..NOW its pay-back time..and the OBAMA-HIGH PRIEST is banning SOME loobbyist....HMMM...didn't the Kennedys do that with the MAfia...??????
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Dennis
12:28PM 12:28PM Jan 24th 2009
Lynn had been undersecretary of defense (comptroller) for four years and before that had been director of program analysis and evaluation in the office of the secretary of defense, where he oversaw the department's strategic planning process. Prior to his Pentagon jobs, Lynn had been Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's liaison to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Mr Lynn is an excellent choice. IN my days at the Pentagon he was veiwed as smart objective and fair - all qualitities need to harnass that place. His recent experience with the defense industry only adds to his capability to make the changes needed. Does not taint him as previous comment implies.
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Richard
2:16AM 2:16AM Jan 26th 2009
That is pure bullcrap and you know it. How do you keep a straight face while spewing this crap???
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grant
1:32PM 1:32PM Jan 24th 2009
He hasn't been in office more the a week and he is stuffing the ballot boxes again, With Reed and Polosi keeping him in check, we should get things done?????
This Post Turtle is worried more about his ability to pay back the people who backed him and his lack of experience should really make the country work just fine.
He was to unite us and now he is seperating everyone by race and religion.
Way to go you stupid moron blacks who voted for another black to get back at the man who gives you free money and jobs you can't handle.
Maybe OB should bring in clinton to show how to ruin a country.
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grant
1:39PM 1:39PM Jan 24th 2009
Here we go again, write note against the Massia adn it dosn't go through.
Basicly, did you expect anything else from a person who owe the mob and black muslims his blood for not having his birthcertificate (born in Gambia) hidden and his school records when you couldn't flunk a black even if they didn't go to school.
He is a black kennedy, they all went to college never took a test for theirselves and now think they are smart.
Obama, don't make a big change to the WHITE house, your not going to live there long
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Kay
1:37PM 1:37PM Jan 25th 2009
As most of us learn in third grade, "basicly" and "theirselves" are not words.
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Nancy
7:45PM 7:45PM Jan 24th 2009
Is there any lobbyist that is for the AMERICAN PEOPLE?
They want to fill theiur own pockets..........GREED.
When is enough, enough? Many of will lose everything over the few years, there is NO ONE that seems concerned about that. NOT EVEN OBAMA
There is NOT one elected official that knows the reality of people are living through.
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margo
8:25AM 8:25AM Jan 25th 2009
The truth is OB is going to do sooo much worse than any of us ever imagined,,and he will be the cause of America going the rest of thr way down! There is NO hope except in Jesus Christ!
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MrMilk44
2:20PM 2:20PM Jan 25th 2009
I agree with Nancy somewhat. She seems to be a realist. Grant on the other hand besides not being able to properly spell is clearly an idiot. Probably a repub and a very stupid one at that. After 8 years something positive is coming from our presidential administration and all the haters want to do is nitpick. Nick, you seriously have a problem, how would you like if one of those"crazies" from Cuba blew up your sister or your mom? Would you still be waiting on that? I dont agree 100% with everything Obama does but he is the President, not me. Get rid of the party ideals and try thinking for yourselves, you would be better off for it. America Has Spoken, if you dont like it feel free to move. Not many will miss you...
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Nancy
4:07PM 4:07PM Jan 25th 2009
MrMilk44
To agree with someone and on the other hand call them an idiot for a TYPO? No I am not a Republican, I have always been a Democrat, but when it came to voting for Obama I couldn't do it. I hope for the best for America, but all his talk, is just that talk. Is he and every elected Official willing to take a pay cut, to show the people they are doing something? The answer is NO...........There are no jobs, yet they eat everyday, while others eat once a day, they have the money to pay bills and buy luxury items (at our expense) a lot of people can't pay their bills.
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SassyFrassy
11:31PM 11:31PM Jan 25th 2009
America is about to get a heavy dose of "reality" when the "change" comes about that Bush's 2 tax laws lapse and Captiol wage taxes INCREASE and DEATH tax INCREASES.
HR 219 THIS WILL SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY---but guess why PUBLIC hasn't heard about it?? Because DEMS don't want anyone to know that this bill will for DECADES to come SECURE SOCIAL SECURITY for the PUBLIC how?
1. Creates enough SURPLUS to pay all SOC SEC benefits for decades to come
2.Keeps politicians from cutting PRESENTSOC SEC benefits
3. keeps politicians from raising taxes.The lobby groups put out the info yesterday and that DEMS don't want anyone to know because then politicians would have to stop using the SOC SEC for pork projects. go see for yourselves at the Christian Seniors Assoc -site
Meanwhile....
HR 219 --will save SOC SEC for all time. It's no surprise the DEMS want to do away with the lobby groups working for PUBLIC to be protected. What they have used SOC SEC for
1. 50 million for 'indoor" rainforest
2. they used 223 million for ALASKAS bridge to nowhere
3. 800,000 for an OUTHOUSE.
that's just a few there's tons more. It won't pass unless there is an OUTPOURING of PUBLIC pressure on CONGRESS.
Politicians would rather scare everyone with tax cuts and service cuts rather than keep their hands out of the SOC SEC "till" --to keep on using SOC SEC as a "petty cash fund" for pork projects instead which will further aid in bankrupting this Nation. They would rather scare everyone by claiming it's needful to raise taxes or make cuts or their Socialist rhetoric of---how "selfish" everyone" is for not wanting to pay higher taxes; Rather than refrain from 'raiding" SOC SEC for their pet pork projects.
Here, the DEMS want to irresponsibly bailout the business, which will bankrupt US unless we apply brakes and ceilings, and caps and make businesses pay money back in timely fashion.
However, when it comes to doing something GOOD to BAILOUT the PUBLIC the DEMS don't want it--which incidentally is why this is probably the first time you are reading or hearing about it.
Word on the WASH DC newsvine is UNLESS the public makes an effort with a loud voice, they don't want to pass it.
What the PUBLIC needs to do is make it clear to WASH DC that any and all legislators whom refuse to pass HR 219 will need to go by way of Blagovich.
Go see how you can help pass HR 219 anyone/any religion/age can help.
feel free to cut paste print and re-print. it's tuff to type so much!!
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SassyFrassy
12:04AM 12:04AM Jan 26th 2009
America is about to get a heavy dose of "reality" when the "change" comes about that Bush's 2 tax laws lapse and Captiol wage taxes INCREASE and DEATH tax INCREASES.
HR 219 THIS WILL SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY---but guess why PUBLIC hasn't heard about it?? Because DEMS don't want anyone to know that this bill will for DECADES to come SECURE SOCIAL SECURITY for the PUBLIC how?
1. Creates enough SURPLUS to pay all SOC SEC benefits for decades to come
2.Keeps politicians from cutting PRESENTSOC SEC benefits
3. keeps politicians from raising taxes.The lobby groups put out the info yesterday and that DEMS don't want anyone to know because then politicians would have to stop using the SOC SEC for pork projects. go see for yourselves at the Christian Seniors Assoc -site
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BUBBA
6:03PM 6:03PM Jan 27th 2009
WHERE IS ALL THIS "CHANGE" NO-BAMA HAS BEEN PROMISING US? ALL I CAN SE ARE THE SAME OLD WASHINGTON "CRONIES" SUCH AS CLINTON, BIDEN, KENNEDY, ETC, ETC,HE WILL HAVE REV WRIGHT IN THE WHITE HOUSE SOON. YOU MAY LAUGH NOW, BUT JUST WAIT AND SEE...GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
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SassyFrassy
11:34PM 11:34PM Jan 25th 2009
SOC SEC AND MEDICARE CAN BE SAVED--HERE'S WHY YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT IT
HERE is LOCKBOX LAW and the fix our SENIOR COLA law which will ensure that our MEDICARE gets saved without loss of services and without raising of premiums. But the PUBLIC must be active to the lobby for it to pass. This keeps POLITICIANS from "raiding" the TRUST. This puts Congress on notice that PUBLIC WILL NOT tolerate the abuse of SOC SEC. They are also working to protect medicare. at site-Campaign to Save Social Security and Medicare site project of National Assoc for Uniformed Services. You DON'T have to be a SENIOR to help.
The DEMS would rather claim that taxes need to be raised, and that services need to be cut, and their Socialist rhetoric that American's are so "selfish" for not wanting to pay higher taxes, rather than keep from using the funds for pet pork projects and to pay off those whom helped them get elected.
Here's the point in 2010 or 2012 the new baby boomers are about to start retiring, people, and if this HR 219 IS NOT IN PLACE NOW to provide the surplus we need----it will be bankrupt in 2010 or 2012. They want to do an irresponsible bailout which will bankrupt us as well, but they want to BAILOUT BUSINESSES but when it comes to doing something "good' for WE THE PEOPLE they don't want to do anything.
We need to make it clear to any legislator in WASH DC whom doesn't want to pass HR 219 goes by way of Balagovich.
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