Congress Votes Against Change-- At Least When It Comes To Corruption

Sometimes even a reactionary jerk like Jeff Flake gets something right

It's rare that I agree with far right fanatic Jeff Flake (R-AZ) on anything. The man is so extreme that many in Washington say he's a borderline sociopath. But aside from being extreme on every lame-brained GOP scheme you've ever heard, he's also extreme in his passion against corruption, more so now, of course, that Democrats are in charge in DC. When I was going through yesterday's House votes I came across H.R. 295 for which there is no explanation-- no text, no summary, nothing except a sponsor (Flake) and a number for a "privileged resolution." History will never know what it was or why it was tabled (killed). I called a friend in Congress to ask.

H.R. 295 was tabled 210-173, with only 4 Republicans (including the king of corruption, Alaska's Don Young) joining all but 25 Democrats. Looking at who the 25 Democrats were who voted with the GOP gave me no clue. Aside from the usual batch of reactionary scum who always vote with the Republicans-- Blue Dog assholes like Bobby Bright (AL), Baron Hill (IN), Melissa Bean (IL), Walt Minnick (ID), Brad Ellsworth (IN), etc-- this one drew progressive good-government types like Paul Hodes (D-NH), Tom Perriello (D-VA), Tim Walz (D-MN), Jim Himes (D-CT), and Dave Loebsack (D-IA).

This was Flake's sixth try to initiate an ethics investigation of PMA and how the intersection of earmarks and campaign contributions makes Washington run. Democrats sure were gung-ho about investigating Jack Abramoff-- as they should have been-- but when it comes to Democratic-leaning lobbyists nearly as corrupt as Abramoff... it's a no-go. Sickening.