Category Archives: Rampant Cronyism/Corruption

Are cronies in charge? Are their friends getting richer? Are poor performers given awards and promotions in spite of their failures? Are leaders averse to admitting failure? Do leaders fine tune their responses to redefine what a failure is? Are potential problems denied initially and redefined as more detail comes to light? Are non-campaign funds being laundered into campaign coffers or private accounts of supporters of the war against the enemies? Are government ethics committees being restructured and the rules modified to protect the guilty? Are corporations making false claims about profit and destroying employee futures? When will the laws be changed to protect corporations from any law suits? When will the Executive branch become the only branch of government with power? When will Washington, D.C. become The Corporate Headquarters of the United States? How fare is too far?

Tracking the Growth of American Authoritarianism

“Can There Really Be Fascist People In A Democracy?”
Libertarians are stealthily taking over America.
Since the 1971 Powell Memo, America has moved closer and closer to Fascism.

 

Bad Deeds for 6-29-2007

Posted on June 30, 2007 by Jim Vogas

Key Presidential Aides Were Often Intentionally Kept Out of the Loop by Vice President Cheney on Important Decisions – For example, President Bush’s decision to try detainees in military commissions and strip them of their due process rights was not … Continue reading →

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David Addington, The Authoritarian’s Lawyer – Enabling the Redacting of Our Constitution

Posted on June 28, 2007 by Andy Hailey

Dick Cheney and his staff never cease to appall us. Where is this twisted view of our Constitution coming from? How is it that no one else for over 200 years has ever conceived of such perversions? The following excerpts … Continue reading →

  • Related Web Article: <a href="http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/2940" target="_blank" title="Many observers credit Cheney's staff as playing a key role in boosting the influence of the OVP">RightWeb Profile on David Addington</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=David_S._Addington" target="_blank" title="Rumsfeld-to-Cheney-to-Addington-to-Torture">Source Watch Profile</a>
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Corruption in Our Capitol – The “Bad Barrel” Seduces Others

Posted on May 29, 2007 by Andy Hailey

In an article titled In the Democratic Congress, Pork Still Gets Served, the Washington Post reported last Thursday that Congressman David R. Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, “told fellow lawmakers that he intends to keep requests for earmarks … Continue reading →

  • Recent NPR Story: <a href="http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/05/29/PM200705297.html" target="_blank" title="There's always the phone if lawmakers really need to take care of business.">'Phonemarks' replace earmarks on Capitol Hill</a>
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Corruption in Our Capitol – Bad Apples or Bad Barrel That Turns Good People Bad

Posted on May 28, 2007 by Andy Hailey

In a 2004 interview on CNN, Dr. Phil Zimbardo was commenting on situations like Abu Ghraib in Iraq and My Lai in Vietnam when he said, “what you have is powerful situational forces that get the majority to do things … Continue reading →

  • Recent NPR Story: <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10347267" target="_blank" title="Cunningham funneled tens of millions of dollars in post-9/11 contracts in exchange for millions in bribes.">Marcus Stern: On the Trail of Congressional Corruption - 35 minute interview</a>
  • Related Web Article: <a href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20050612-9999-1n12windfall.html" target="_blank" title="The beginning of the end for Duke Cunningham, June 12, 2005">Cunningham defends deal with defense firm's owner</a>, <a href="http://earmarks.omb.gov/" target="_blank" title="Detailed listing of 13,475 emarks for 2005 - not a complete list">Browse OMB Ermarks Database</a>
  • Related WAWG Article:: <a href="https://the-wawg-blog.org/?p=97" target="_blank" title="Construction of the bad barrel begins.">The House that Newt Built</a>, <a href="https://the-wawg-blog.org/?p=96" target="_blank" title="Construction of the bad barrel continues">The Double High House of Delay</a>
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Bad Deeds for 4-25-07

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Jim Vogas

Republican Representative’s Aide Accepted Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Gifts from Lobbyist Jack Abramoff – A former congressional aide pleaded guilty Tuesday to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from lobbyist Jack Abramoff in an influence-peddling scandal … Continue reading →

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The Bush Administration Aided by AEI, CSP and Pat Robertson’s Lawyers

Posted on April 14, 2007 by Andy Hailey

I have written in several other articles about the neocons that make up a significant portion of those who contribute to the decisions Mr. Bush makes. Elsewhere, I have written about the right wing authoritarian (RWA) followers that make up … Continue reading →

  • Related NPR Stories: <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4632072" target="_blank" title="The place where the culture wars are won or lost is in the courtroom.">Religious Schools Train Lawyers for Culture Wars</a>
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Jodin Morey on Impeaching George Bush

Posted on March 22, 2007 by Andy Hailey

Jodin Morey has tracked down and organized over 60 instances of evidence in 4 articles supporting the impeachment of President G. W. Bush. In Bush’s Impeachable Offenses, Part 1, Jodin chronicles how we were lead down the path for implementing … Continue reading →

  • Supporting Articles: <a href="http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=335631&rel_no=1&back_url=" TARGET="_blank" title="Both parties stand to lose by failing to pursue Bush">Impeachment Good for Republicans and Democrats</a>, <a href="http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=330834&rel_no=1&back_url=" TARGET="_blank" title="The do-it-yourself impeachment tool for John Q. Citizen">Bush Impeachment Effort Gains Traction</a>, <a href="http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=348505&rel_no=1&back_url=" TARGET="_blank" title="pen letter about impeachment to Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)">Put Justice Back on the Table or Step Away</a>
  • Related Web Site: <a href="http://impeachforpeace.org/index.php" target="_blank" title="Impeach George Bush and the rest will fall.">Impeach for Peace</a>, <a href="http://www.paa-tx.org/impeach" target="_blank" title="Impeachment of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney">Progressive Action Alliance - Impeach GWB</a>
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Alberto Gonzales – Disgraceful Record, Dismal Leader

Posted on March 17, 2007 by Andy Hailey

In Rough Justice – The Case Against Alberto Gonzales, a four part series, Andrew Cohen provides historical perspective for the issues behind Mr. Gonzales, his job performance at the state and national levels and recommends a replacement with all the … Continue reading →

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Another Neocon Joins the Authoritarian White House Staff – How Seriously is the Bush Administration Pursuing Diplomacy?

Posted on March 10, 2007 by Andy Hailey

In an earlier article, I documented many of the neocons, their associated think tanks and their participation in the Bush administration. They’re everywhere. This posting is about the latest addition to the White House neocon workforce – Eliot Cohen. He … Continue reading →

  • Related NPR Stories: <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7706170" target="_blank" title="U.S. to join talks with Syria and Iran">U.S. Suddenly Holding Its Enemies Closer</a>, <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=928244" target="_blank" title="Talk of the Nation interviews Eliot Cohen, January 20, 2003">Is War with Iraq Inevitable?</a>, <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1149028" target="_blank" title="Cohen's book has made it onto President Bush's summer reading list, Summer 2002">Supreme Command by Eliot Cohen</a>, <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1142511" target="_blank" title="Ins and outs of how and when to launch a U.S. attack against Iraq">Pentagon Preparedness for Iraq War, April 2002</a>
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Foley Sex Scandal and Tom Delay’s Little Black Book – To What Extent Did Tom Manipulate His Fellow Authoritarians?

Posted on October 3, 2006 by Andy Hailey

Back in 1995, Jonathan Alter of Newsweek confirmed that Tom Delay, as House majority whip, had a little black book as part of doing business in the House. In October 2005, Alter wrote about it in Tom DeLay’s House of … Continue reading →

  • Related NPR Stories: <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6182246" target="_blank" title="Latest on the six-term congressman 53 year old Congressman.">The Mark Foley Scandal</a>, <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6189883" target="_blank" title="Power Corrupts - Daniel Schorr looks back on many years of Washington scandals.">Hearing Echoes of Washington Scandals</a>
  • Related WAWG Article:: <a href="https://the-wawg-blog.org/?p=92" target="_blank" title="Can There Really Be Fascist People In A Democracy? - John Dean Exposes The Authoritarians that Are Leading the Way">Authoritarian traits include amoral and manipulative</a>
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