Lobbyists Get Waivers

After promising that no lobbyists would ever find work within his administration, Dear Leader has once again proven that he is exactly what Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) said he is: a liar.

Judicialwatch.org has reported that BHO has issued 10 more ethics waivers in order to hire lobbyists to work within his administration. The total of waivers issued now stands at 16.

Upon taking office, Dear Liar signed an executive order banning lobbyists from finding a job in the most transparent and ethical administration in the history of the world. Boy, what an ethical and righteous guy this BHO character is....NOT! He makes the Clinton administration look like Reagan.

Waivers have been issued to those who BHO has deemed as serving a public interest because they have unequaled qualifications to do the job. Among the people who have been "waivered" in are lobbyists such as Attorney General Eric Holder (former telecommunications lobbyist), deputy defense secretary William Lynn (former defense lobbyist), and Cecilia Munoz (advocate and lobbyist for La Raza). But there's no conflict of interest here, right?

From judicialwatch.org:

Among the president’s new ethics waivers is an undersecretary of defense for technology and logistics who was recently a strategic consultant for a major defense contractor, an associate deputy secretary of labor who served as director of state government affairs for the nation’s largest labor union and a top NASA administrator who will work closely with two companies that recently employed him.

While lobbyists have had close ties to many administrations in past years, there's just something that stinks about this whole pile of dung. Having lobbyists serving in one's administration serves no purpose other than to cater to those who are looking for political favor. And for any trolls who may be reading this, I do NOT condone lobbyists being a part of ANY administration, Republican or Democrat.

This latest batch of waivers is just another shining example of the hypocrisy that seems to permeate every level of this particular administration. While the MSM has been quick to bash the Bush administration for supposedly serving special interests, they have been amazingly, although not suprisingly, silent on railing against this behind-the-curtain dirty dealing.

I guess ethics are only important when it's someone other than BHO being questioned.

What Campaign Finance Reform???

This is going to be a long one folks. According to newsmax.com, members of Congress are finding a way to line their pockets and get their piece of the stimulus money. Here's how it works.

A member of Congress sits on a certain committee. Said member may have a non-profit or charity group with personal or family ties. Certain groups of industry and lobbyists on behalf of certain groups can donate any amount of money to said charity or non-profit. Nice work if you can get it, eh? It was only in 2007 that corporations and lobbyists were mandated to provide information when they donated to a charity or event connected with lawmakers.

Since the 2007 ethics agreement, USA Today has kept track of the lobbying reports. Wanna know how much? I hope you're sitting down: a total of $35.8 million in 2008. That's between a total of almost 2,800 reports filed. About $28 million went to non-profit groups with direct ties of members of Congress. Sickening. I've read and would suggest for anyone to read Outrage by Dick Morris. He details this scheme nicely.

Here is a list from newsmax.com listing some of the groups, their ties, and how much they got:

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. Organization: Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate Connection: Named for Kennedy, wife on board. Received: $5,050,000 Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. Organization: James E. Clyburn Research and Scholarship Foundation Connection: Foundation named for congressman. Received: $326,224 Financial documents: IRS Form 990 Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. Organization: The Faith and Politics Institute Connection: The congressman is co-chair emeritus of the institute. Received: $206,000 Financial documents: IRS Form 990 Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. Organization: Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy Connection: Center named for the senator. Received: $140,000 Financial documents: Unavailable Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. Organization: Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute Connection: Alzheimer's research institute named for senator's late mother. Received: $65,000 Financial documents: IRS Form 990 Sen. Susan CollinsR-Maine Organization: Alliance for Health Reform Connection: Senator is co-chair of Alliance for Health Reform, along with Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. Received: $45,000 Financial documents: IRS Form 990 Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind. Organization: Frontier Foundation Connection: Rep. Buyer's daughter was president of the group, and its treasurer is the executive director of his PAC. Received: $40,000 Financial documents: IRS Form 990 Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas Organization: Joe Barton Family Foundation Connection: Foundation founded by Rep. Barton. His daughter-in-law, Amy Barton, is the executive director. Received: $35,000 Financial documents: IRS Form 990 Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va. Organization: Robert H. Mollohan Family Charitable Foundation Connection: Mollohan is on the executive committee; named for his father. Received: $25,000 Financial documents: IRS Form 990 Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif. Organization: Joe Baca Foundation Connection: Congressman is president of the foundation named for him. Received: $19,163 Financial documents: IRS Form 990 © 2009 USA Today. All rights reserved. Reprinted Via Rightslink.

Personally, I'm surprised the UAW hasn't donated to Ted "Chappaquidick Fats" Kennedy's charity to fund an underwater car museum.

Yes, I'm bitter.