McCain was nominated but I cannot find a single grassroots Republican who says McCain was his or her first choice for the nomination.

McCain has a core?!?!?!

Or do you mean covering up for Rep. Mark Foley and his hots for boy pages……

Or do you mean Sen. Larry Craig going down to public men’s rooms wanting some….

Or do you mean, Ted Haggard, Bush’s spiritual advisor who reminded all of the 43nd POTUS by saying “I did not have sex with that man……

All of you socons who lorded over the GOP for the last decade are a real hoot…..you worried about everyone’s bedroom but your leaders’…and you STILL don’t pay attention to their theft of your money.

And y’all try to tell me how stupid and irresponsible the Democrats are?

And THAT is why the most wild-eyed of the goldbugs have it nailed.

I believe I understand your position and your point. I simply wish it had been made without criticizing Brett, who is not part of the problem.

As to what Casey Cagle and David Shafer need or don’t need, you’re right that they probably don’t need instruction on the basic points of free market economics. But it’s the actual day-to-day effects of legislation they may propose, support, oppose or simply vote on where I believe that outside opinions are needed.

I don’t expect Casey Cagle or David Shafer to necessarily know or understand the effects of every piece of legislation on local businesses, industries important to Georgians and the jobs they provide. That’s where lobbyists rightfully have a place.

We can’t pretend that we live in a free market society today.
Our markets and our industries are heavily-regulated and legislation often has consequences that are not immediately apparent to legislators who may have no experience with particular industries or businesses.

Simply saying “I won’t listen to you if you happen to be providing a meal,” would unnecessarily impede the flow of information to legislators. Do you really want your legislators limited to their own knowledge and experience of the world?

That’s reason for concern. I’m not surprised at the massive fraud, and I’m sure you are not surprised either.

And thanks for that clarification, too, about changing the subject. I could talk about this stuff all day – BUT I do have a meeting to chair tonight and I have to make a few calls first.

Also, I got my “Holiday Season” card from the state GOP today. Not Christmas, not Hanukkah, not even Kwanzaa, but “Holiday Season”. That gives me a case of “Seasonal Depression.” *sigh*

The point is that these “events” are so common practice that it doesn’t even merit a second glance these days.

Does Casey Cagle really need drinks and dinner with Virgil Williams to know how to help small businesses? Does Shafer need to have a double scotch while overlooking Lake Lanier to understand the limits on liberty and economic freedom that are chaining down the very engines of economic recovery we need?

I even made the point that Harrell already knows what he has to do to help business…but he still didn’t turn down the evening of fun!

Is my proposal of “zero contributions” slightly draconian? Absolutely no doubt about it…yes. But is a radical change needed for even a short while in order to bring about the honest, integrity filled General Assembly that we all want? I say, again, yes.

Harrell’s incident is a symptom of a bigger problem, a problem that was the point of the post.

When the sex is exchanged for votes, because the sex partner is a lobbyist or a lobby supplied whore, I want them JAILED.

The middle class is targeted for extinction.

We are headed straight for declining wages and increasing cost of necessities.

Wage arbitrage under “free” trade (ha , that’s a joke) is bringing wages to parity with Asia.

Free money is flowing from FED fed commercial banks over into investment banking, which is ‘wisely’ buying into food, energy, water, and commodities NECESSARY FOR LIFE.

Someone wrote about a revolutionary mindset.

You ain’t seen nothing yet. There is a financial meltdown of the USA government coming that was caused by traitors.

Fitch Ratings is one of the few entities to study toxic assets and they concluded that FRAUD was massive and pervasive.

There are NO PROSECUTIONS of the biggest theft in world history which is wiping out real conservatives.

And, no we won’t let you change the subject.

WE THE PEOPLE had gotten through to the HOUSE and killed this nonsense.

Saxby and Johnny were eager participants in this fraud.

Never forget that.

I won’t.

May unleash a bag of worms but who else has a hidden girlfriend in the house since we are talking about ethics?

Would it be fair to characterize your position as being that the only way to retain one’s independent judgement as a legislator is to not accept any food, drink, or contributions from lobbyists?

We agree on something already!