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Commentary :: Elections & Legislation

Congressmen Returning Money? Reverse Bought Legislation Too

Our beloved Congressmen are giving Abramhoff's
bribe money back to the Indian Tribes and to charity
(he lobbied for many more than just the indian tribes).
That's a great thing! But it is just the first step to
setting things right.
Do we hear anyone talking about reversing the laws (or whatever) the
bribe money brought about? NOT A WORD!

The pundits are keeping the public's mind off of the issue of the damage
caused by the bribes and they are staying totally focused on the immense
lobbying power of K street.

This brings back memories of Michael Milken and his band of crooks who
stole and defrauded upwards of $100 Billion from the public and the US
Government. Milken was the only person ever charged with a crime for
which he spent 18 months in a minimum security prison (where his wife
was allowed to spend the night) and he was fined $400 million. The Justice
Department did not pursue the billions that the junk-bond-bandits stole
because the laws on the books for these crimes are decades old. When
the punishments were set for these crimes, no one could count to a
billion.

I asked a Federal District Court Judge "When will punishments for massive
fraud and theft be increased to fit the crime?". His answer was "Congress
sets the fines and prison sentencing. It's not up to the Judge in the case.
A judge has guidelines to follow, and he cannot increase them."

Now, that pretty much explains why when a congressman is guilty of taking
a bribe, there is nothing on the books to reverse the favor given for the
bribe (because these are the guys that would have had to make it law). The
favors have stayed in place.....which keeps the bribers happy, and after
a slap on the wrist here and there, the congressman still gets rewarded with
a high paying job when he's out of office.

Among the many many things that need to be changed in this country,
justice for the wealthy is one that seems to go almost completely
un-noticed. I'm afraid it's another example of the American public
being asleep at the switch (no punn intended).
 
 

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