The Stars and Stripes of Corruption

Here are two stories that highlight the importance of this year's elections-- and why we're likely to wind up with more of the same next year. It's become routine for Congressional Republicans to use shifty parliamentary procedures to muzzle Democrats, quietly kill off legislation they don't like, and otherwise use their majority status to wreck the nation.

The latest example is an attempt at government spending transparency, which passed unanimously in a voice vote (i.e., 'with cameras on'), but is ironically being held up by an individual whose identity remains a secret.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, which Coburn has called “Google for government spending,” calls for a single, publicly accessible Web site that tracks the approximately $1 trillion in federal contracts, grants, and loans — among other allocations — awarded each year, providing detailed information on the ward’s recipient, amount, and intended purpose. “The concept behind the bill is really quite simple: put information on government spending out there for all to see and greater accountability will follow,” Coburn said during the July 18 hearing on the legislation. “It will also change the expectations of those receiving funds…they will know in advance that the information will be public.”

The Web site itself would be created and operated by the Office of Management and Budget. A search engine would enable anyone to “literally type in a name... for example, ‘Halliburton’, ‘Planned Parenthood’, or ‘Alaskan bridges’, and something will show up,” said Coburn’s spokesman, John Hart. “Another great example is if someone wanted to get quick and accurate information on Katrina reconstruction, they’ll just type in the name of the contractors.”

Co-sponsored by 29 senators on both sides of the aisle, the bill has garnered widespread support from more than 100 organizations, ranging from Greenpeace to Jim Dobson’s Focus on the Family. However, just as the legislation was gaining momentum, it was blocked from floor consideration by an anonymous hold — the unofficial procedure whereby a Senator requests that the floor leader prevent a particular bill from reaching the floor.

How is the public reacting to this latest outrage? With an alarming degree of apathy. Corrupt Congressman "Duke" Cunningham's seat was filled by a lobbyist, and although politicians like Tom DeLay, Rick Santorum and Bob Ney are finished or in big trouble, many Congressmen currently under investigation for corruption are set to coast to re-election this fall, as PBS' Now reports.

Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), has been under federal scrutiny but is expected to easily win the re-election by a landslide in his district. A local DNC official tells PBS that Lewis' campaign has accumulated over $1.5 million, while his Democratic opponent struggles to raise any funds, and the National DNC has not provided cash or other resources.

Lewis is Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and as such is one of the most powerful members of The House. He stands accused of handing out money as earmarks, and receiving campaign contributions and other favors in return.