Why won't Ethics Reform Pass?

Why can ethics reform not pass in Alabama? (4.00 / 1)

For the same reason that the GOP opposes every progressive initiative on the national level. Political hacks, making a career of serving the interests of the wealthy and the "big mules", getting re-elected time and time again, due to the huge warchests these special interests provide.

Term limits, anyone?  Not with the current constitution. Ethics reform?  Not with the current constitution.
Constitutional reform? Even that is near-impossible with the current constitution.

 

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead  

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by: piggieheart @ Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 09:34:47 AM CDT

"Big Mules" (4.00 / 1)

Now let's be fair and point out that the folks who keep getting re-elected time and time again in Alabama are Democrats more than Republicans.  And also, in fairness, the main reason Republicans are touting this legislation is because they are in the minority.  If they could take control without this legislation, they would be just as happy to keep the status quo, but it sounds much better to support it when it won't do much harm to you.

We are stuck in an impossible position because those in the majority don't want to change the system that keeps them there, and I doubt that will change, regardless of which party is in charge.

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by: Kristopher @ Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 10:15:29 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

That's the real danger ... (0.00 / 0)

That we'll get party change in Montgomery (it's been creeping that direction for a couple of election cycles) but the new party will be just like the old one. 

I know there are reform minded folks of both parties already in the Legislature, enough that if the leadership of either party really wanted this to happen, it could pass.  I suspect the leaders in our party think it will weaken the power structure that supports them and the leaders of the other party think it will weaken the power structure they hope will soon support them.  A pox on both their houses.  We need to elect more outsiders and more reformers of either or both parties.  These are good government issues, not partisan issues, not left and right issues.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 10:50:39 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

This! (4.00 / 1)

I suspect the leaders in our party think it will weaken the power structure that supports them and the leaders of the other party think it will weaken the power structure they hope will soon support them.

We all know what happened when Republicans took control of Congress.  Sure, there are corrupt Democrats in Washington -- when you're in charge for something like 40 years, some people are bound to fall prey to the lure of power and perks.  But the Republicans took corruption to new levels during their relatively short time in the majority (Randy "Duke" Cunningham, anyone?), and I suspect those here in Alabama would do the same, given the opportunity.  I guess they think it's owed to them.

Quite a few of our state legislators of both parties enjoy those lobbyist-provided freebies (up to $250 a day per legislator with no reporting), and executive branch members like it too (I think the reporting threshold is even higher for them).  Republicans can make political hay out of pushing for reform right now, but they don't really want it.

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by: Kathy @ Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 11:12:00 AM CDT

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Garbage... (0.00 / 0)

The GOP has proposed the ethics reform measures that Democrats laid out in 2006. You don't have to constantly defend the team.

The GOP may very well not deliver on their promises if they take over. But we KNOW the Democrats haven't. Own it.

Dale, I have to say you were right - mooncat

You're an entertainer son! -Parker Griffith

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by: DaleJackson @ Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 14:10:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

repuplicans OWN Parker Griffith now. (0.00 / 0)

Don't say we never gave you anything. :)

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 22:30:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

That's ok... (0.00 / 0)

We will fix your errors.

Dale, I have to say you were right - mooncat

You're an entertainer son! -Parker Griffith

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by: DaleJackson @ Sat Mar 20, 2010 at 00:24:51 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Good luck with that. (0.00 / 0)

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sat Mar 20, 2010 at 09:54:03 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Have Republicans as a caucus ever joined with any reform-minded Dems? (0.00 / 0)

For instance on banning PAC to PAC transfers?  That passes the House every year, but gets hung up in the Senate.  My view is that it has a few Dems on board in the Senate, but they don't get backing from Democratic leadership or from the Republican caucus ... because the Republicans plus a very small handful of Democrats could have passed it.  Why haven't they? 

My own cynical view is that run of the mill Republicans don't want folks to know where their money comes from any more than Democrats do.  So they all play footsie and kill these reform bills one way or another.

But Democrats in the Legislature will definitely own the ethics reform failures.  They get no sympathy from me on that one.  

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Mar 20, 2010 at 00:40:55 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Cynical view (4.00 / 1)

neither party really wants ethical reform because regardless of party, the present situation favors incumbents. The Repubs have done a good job of "appearing" for reform and creating a campaign issue. Frankly I don't think it matters which party controls the legislature - it will not get done.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke

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by: Old Prosecutor @ Sat Mar 20, 2010 at 11:31:39 AM CDT

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I hate it, but there's truth to what you say. n/t (0.00 / 0)

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Mar 20, 2010 at 11:37:27 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I have said before, and will repeat here... (4.00 / 2)

I cannot discern any appreciable difference between the parties at the state level.  By that I mean the state legislators all appear to a newcomer to be ignorant, money-driven and corrup, regardless of party label.

Both parties tend to posture and talk about what they want to do, except when they are in power, then it's back to the status quo.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead  

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by: piggieheart @ Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 21:22:08 PM CDT

When was the state GOP in power? (0.00 / 0)

Dale, I have to say you were right - mooncat

You're an entertainer son! -Parker Griffith

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by: DaleJackson @ Sat Mar 20, 2010 at 00:25:43 AM CDT

[ Parent ]