Despite Cantor’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy, More Than 10 GOP Congressmen Embroiled In Ethics Scandals

[ellisonz]

From the DFA Facebook Page:

By Josh Israel on Feb 29, 2012 at 9:45 am

Eric Cantor A growing number of ethics questions and investigations are mounting for the Republican House majority, despite earlier leadership pledges of ethical purity.

In 2010, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) promised that if his party won the majority in the midterm elections, he (as majority leader) and his colleagues would take the toughest possible stand on ethics.

I think as the Republicans emerge as a new governing majority, it is incumbent upon us to institute a zero-tolerance policy. We understand there were reasons for our being fired in ’06 and ’08. Some of that had to do with ethics violations. I mean we had several members under public investigations during the time of the ’06 elections. I think we’ve learned that that’s not a good way to gain the confidence of the people and that we ought to be instituting a zero-tolerance policy here.

“We’ve learned our lesson,” Cantor told the National Review Online, “We cannot tolerate any ethics violations or behavior, in terms of compromising the ethics that the people expect us to have as their representatives.” Watch the video:

To the See a List of GOP Congressmen with Ethics Scandals: Think Progress Link

[elleng]

1. NATURALLY!

NO

[madamesilverspurs]

3. Wasn't there also

some recent chatter about Boehner being tied financially to the Keystone pipeline?

[ellisonz]

4. Yes.

He has investments in it that he claims he doesn't control: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/16/1055222/-John-Boehner-s-Keystone-XL-conflict-of-interest

From WaPo:

Environmentalists note that in December 2010, according to Boehner’s financial disclosure forms, he invested $10,000 to $50,000 each in seven firms that had a stake in Canada’s oil sands, the region that produces the oil the pipeline would transport. The firms include six oil companies—BP, Canadian Natural Resources, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Devon Energy and Exxon—along with Emerson Electric, which has a contract to provide the digital automation for the first phase of a $9.4 billion Horizon Oil Sands Project in Canada.

Bill McKibben, a climate activist and co-founder of the group 350.org, wrote in an e-mail that Boehner has received more than $1 million from fossil-fuel companies, “and now we find out that he’s got extensive personal investments in companies dependent on tarsands oil.”

“He was willing to shut down the government in part to prevent enough time for serious environmental review,” McKibben added. “In any other facet of our public life . . . this whole list taken together would be seen for the gross conflict of interest that it is.”

Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said in an interview that an investment adviser chooses Boehner’s financial investments. “He doesn’t have any control over day-to-day trades, so there’s no conflict of interest on this or any other investment,” Steel said of the speaker, adding that when it comes to the upcoming decision on Keystone XL, “We hope the president will do the right thing and approve the permit, and create American jobs.”

[Plucketeer]

6. The lying Rethugs

ALL the grand promises of proceedure and rules they crowed about two years ago - all looking like they've been trampled by a herd of elephants at this point.

[ellisonz]

7. Let's hope we give them a good thrashing at the ballot box.

I hope America is sick of their shit.

[Plucketeer]

8. I'd like to feel good about our prospects, but...

we've just heard Santorum sing PRAISE for wanton ignorance. That there's an atmosphere that embraces such talk does NOT bode well for intellect winning out!

[ellisonz]

9. Hey one more Senate seat in play as of today...

DRIP DRIP DRIP

I think if Obama doesn't shy away from taking them head-on he'll win, and win big. I do fear though that the DNC is under-organized in relation to Team Obama.