An Ethically-Challenged Capital City?
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2010-03-11/ethically-challenged-capital-city
Democrats regained control of Congress four years ago after several high-profile scandals damaged the Republican brand. The GOP is looking to return the favor in 2010 now that ethical issues involving Democrats are feeding into an already anti-Washington political climate. We explore why so many people see Washington as an "ethically-challenged" city, and why solutions may require a lot more than new lobbying rules or earmarking guidelines.
Guests
James Thurber
Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University
Janine Wedel
Professor of Public Policy, George Mason University; Author, "Shadow Elite: How the World's New Power Brokers Undermine Democracy, Government, and the Free Market" (Basic Books)
Dana Milbank
"Washington Sketch" Columnist, "The Washington Post"; Author, "O is for Obama" (Triumph) and "Homo Politicus: The Strange and Scary Tribes that run our Government" (Doubleday)
Comments
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Kojo:
I have never been a congressman or held a high position in the government so it would be very difficult to understand what they are going through. Having said that, I can imagine why these people would be so dirty with all the power, money and influence in DC once they have been elected/relected. Most of us criticizing would probably do the same. The whole system is just corrupt including all the back door deals that go on. Republicans or Democrats-it is just a musical chair game. The opposing party always do the same once they go back in power.
I really don't know the answer to this, but the entire system needs to be revamped. Vote out everyone.....I mean everyone and start from scratch. Ban lobbying all together. Let states get funding base on some form of merit or need rather than the usual "pork". Do a total house clean up and probably move the entire government seat to Arizona or something and done with the influence. Washington DC is just too polluted to even tackling this ethics issue now and they [the ethics committee] would soon be drowned in it too. Great show and discussion.