GREAT story! very informative piece. I used to intern at a political fundraising firm and it's more hush hush that you'd imagine - lots of dos and don'ts.
the last congressional staffer should be held up as an example for all staffers to follow. we get it, it costs money to do all this. just be upfront and honest about it. until there is reform and it moves to public financing, just be honest and upfront. a little transparency takes a lot away from the lunatic fringe that wants to always point at secrecy as the main point that everything is doom and gloom.
all staffers and all people should be as nice, and graceful, and candid when asked legitmate questions. The people who refused to talk or sent the reporter on his way rudely, just looked like bullies and/or bouncers. If i was an elected official I would only hire people like the last woman.
They spend a lot of money to take their message out to voters? I didn't know republicans had to pay Fox News for the propaganda, I thought Fox News did it for free.
Public Campaign Financing IS The ONLY solution! The lobbyists are the CONDUIT through which CORPORATE $Dollars pass through to the political CLASS.
The POLITICAL CLASS is defined as those who have proven themselves to be reliable advocates for CORPORATE AMERICA! In other words the go along get alongs! Members of the PC then do the business of "The Corporation."
So... Who is representing ordinary people? Anyone? Maybe Allan Grayson can push public campaign financing!
I think there are a few Congressmen and Congresswomen that genuinely do represent their constituents; Ron Paul has by far the best voting record in the House. It's a criminal shame that he got smeared the way he did during the Republican primaries - he'd have obliterated Obama in a debate on economy, war and civil liberties.
I apologize for being a bit crass with my statement below. You keep my faith in this great nation alive. As JFK said, free societies abhor secrecy. And you are showing just how free societies are supposed to act.
Great video. You are proving what we've all known for a long time, Congress spends far too much time campaigning and almost no time legislating. It's totally wrong, and judging by the reactions in this video, they are fully aware of how we feel. Doesn't change their priorities, though.
BUT
I would like to commend that young lady who spoke at the end. She is a true American, IMHO, not ashamed one iota of what she is doing, because she believes in the system, regardless of how flawed it is.
the principle of giving money to a lawmaker, to get time to meet with him and to get him to do things for you is ILLEGAL BRIBERY. when a regular voter cannot get a meeting with his congressman, why and how do they have time to go to parties and fund raisers with businesses? ? where is the BRIBERY police.
new law: congressmen must work 365 days of the year from 9 to 5 and also get only 2 weeks off. funding must be by using public funding only. the only way to make this work is by having reporters show what these bastards are doing every day.
Money knows no boundaries. Ethics does not apply. Neither does the constitution, or even basic human rights.
mkabbz 1 year ago
GREAT story! very informative piece. I used to intern at a political fundraising firm and it's more hush hush that you'd imagine - lots of dos and don'ts.
Beccathepromomami 2 years ago
Should have been more aggressive with the camera, it just moved at the slightest resistance... Stop the Merida Initiative.
friendsofbradwill 2 years ago
the last congressional staffer should be held up as an example for all staffers to follow. we get it, it costs money to do all this. just be upfront and honest about it. until there is reform and it moves to public financing, just be honest and upfront. a little transparency takes a lot away from the lunatic fringe that wants to always point at secrecy as the main point that everything is doom and gloom.
krinkly 2 years ago
all staffers and all people should be as nice, and graceful, and candid when asked legitmate questions. The people who refused to talk or sent the reporter on his way rudely, just looked like bullies and/or bouncers. If i was an elected official I would only hire people like the last woman.
KALELis113 2 years ago
Awesome video. It's too bad this doesn't get out to more people.
neverlookback75 2 years ago
They spend a lot of money to take their message out to voters? I didn't know republicans had to pay Fox News for the propaganda, I thought Fox News did it for free.
nyguy 2 years ago 2
If the airwaves are public, then the argument you need money to get the message out to the American people is BS.
If the money was taken out of politics you would have people running for office who generally want to make a difference. Wouldn't that be something?
bootpdx 2 years ago 3
This is EXACTLY what journalism in America SHOULD be.
silverhawks 2 years ago 3
"Party like a rock star" is too tame for today's standards.
Instead it should be "party like a politician."
galtyyy 3 years ago
Great reporting!
dolphin812000 3 years ago 2
Public Campaign Financing IS The ONLY solution! The lobbyists are the CONDUIT through which CORPORATE $Dollars pass through to the political CLASS.
The POLITICAL CLASS is defined as those who have proven themselves to be reliable advocates for CORPORATE AMERICA! In other words the go along get alongs! Members of the PC then do the business of "The Corporation."
So... Who is representing ordinary people? Anyone? Maybe Allan Grayson can push public campaign financing!
johnrussellCD5 3 years ago 3
I think there are a few Congressmen and Congresswomen that genuinely do represent their constituents; Ron Paul has by far the best voting record in the House. It's a criminal shame that he got smeared the way he did during the Republican primaries - he'd have obliterated Obama in a debate on economy, war and civil liberties.
silverhawks 2 years ago
Stephanie Kenny,
I apologize for being a bit crass with my statement below. You keep my faith in this great nation alive. As JFK said, free societies abhor secrecy. And you are showing just how free societies are supposed to act.
Thank you VERY MUCH.
toeg1 3 years ago
Great video. You are proving what we've all known for a long time, Congress spends far too much time campaigning and almost no time legislating. It's totally wrong, and judging by the reactions in this video, they are fully aware of how we feel. Doesn't change their priorities, though.
BUT
I would like to commend that young lady who spoke at the end. She is a true American, IMHO, not ashamed one iota of what she is doing, because she believes in the system, regardless of how flawed it is.
toeg1 3 years ago
the principle of giving money to a lawmaker, to get time to meet with him and to get him to do things for you is ILLEGAL BRIBERY. when a regular voter cannot get a meeting with his congressman, why and how do they have time to go to parties and fund raisers with businesses? ? where is the BRIBERY police.
globalwarmingbears 3 years ago
new law: congressmen must work 365 days of the year from 9 to 5 and also get only 2 weeks off. funding must be by using public funding only. the only way to make this work is by having reporters show what these bastards are doing every day.
globalwarmingbears 3 years ago
We need a law: no secret meetings with legislators.
Private family business is fine, but if lobbyists are present everything must be part of the public record.
It's a very reasonable thing to ask of our public servants.
SubmarinerAndroid 3 years ago
Not just secrecy - the fact that this guy was THREATENED on camera says a lot.
silverhawks 2 years ago 3
One easily imagines what must be hidden altogether and maybe not ever heard of.
NatureLegalized 3 years ago
With EVERYTHING that has been going on about those, "On the Hill"
I THANK YOU for exposing these bastards.
We, the American People, MUST STOP these big wigs, and take OUR country back.
Have we forgotten? Or better yet...Have THEY forgotten who they work for?
They work for US!
NOT the other way around.
Bunglbeez 3 years ago 5