With The Democrats Hypocrisy Has No Limit

The Democrats marched over to the Library of Congress for a staged signing ceremony. Ironically, the LoC website says the venue may not be used for political events. But nonetheless, the Dems staged an event at the Library of Congress where they signed a pledge “committing them to honest leadership and open government.”
Now did they not know that the Library of Congress is not allowed to be used for political purposes! ?!
The Library of Congress Guildlines
And this…….
Nancy Pelosi, has been claiming in recent weeks they want to ban lobbyist gifts to lawmakers. Well, isn’t it interesting that Nancy Pelosi voted AGAINST a provision in 1995 which would have banned lobbyist gifts to members of Congress!
Washington Post………
Congressional Democrats today( January 18, 2006) laid out a plan to change what they called a Republican “culture of corruption” in Washington, trying to secure a political advantage even as they wrestle with ethics charges against their own lawmakers.
Wild Thing comment……………
It is EXACTLY the same thing the GOP Leadership outlined at their presser yesterday. Exactly. As usual our Junk Journalists did NOT even cover what the Republican plan was before hyperventilating about the Dems.

And then on “Fox News Sunday” with Chris Wallace last weekend,

Harry Reid refuses to hold himself to the same standards he holds for Republicans, or even the standards of his fellow Democrats, who have returned donations they received connected to embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Reid was unable to admit his hypocrisy for being connected to Abramoff, and once again refused to return the donations he’s received:
WALLACE: … One of the biggest scandals in Washington right now involves Jack Abramoff, a lobbyist who’s under investigation, and his clients.
It turns out that you received $66,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff and his clients. Some of your colleagues…
REID: Chris, Chris…
WALLACE: May I ask the question?
REID: Don’t try to say I received money from Abramoff.
REID: I’ve never met the man, don’t know anything…
WALLACE: But you’ve received money from…
REID: Make sure that all your viewers understand — not a penny from Abramoff. I’ve been on the Indian Affairs Committee my whole time in the Senate.
WALLACE: But you’ve received money from his firm. You’ve received money from some of his clients. The question I’m asking if I may get the question out, Senator. Some of your colleagues, both Republican and Democrats, have given back campaign contributions that had any taint of Abramoff to it. Are you going to do so?
REID: Well, first of all, Chris, make sure that — again, I’ll repeat, Abramoff gave me no money. His firm gave me no money. He may have worked a firm where people have given me money. But I have — I feel totally at ease that I haven’t done anything that is even close to being wrong.
And I’m going to continue doing what I’ve done for my entire tenure in Congress. My record — any money that I’ve received — it’s a federal law. You can look who gave it to me, how much, when they gave it to me, and what their occupations are.
So don’t lump me in with Jack Abramoff. This is a Republican scandal. Don’t try to give any of it to me.

Harry Reid Says GOP Makes Mafia Blush
Human Events Online

In a mass e-mail today publicizing his “Jack Abramoff Rule” to bar lawmakers and staffers from receiving gifts, meals and travel from lobbyists, Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid discusses past threats on his life and tells supporters that the GOP’s “‘K Street Project’ is a shakedown machine that would make the mafia blush.”

He explains, “Republicans will be introducing their own ethics legislation. Quite frankly, having Republicans trying to clean up the mess in Washington would be like asking Jonh Gotti to clean up organized crime.”

Before drawing comparisons between Republicans and mobsters, Reid tells his supporters of his troubles as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, which was “being overrun by organized crime.”
In those years, Reid said, “there would be threats on my life, FBI stings and even a car bomb placed in my family’s station wagon.”
But, those experiences are incomparable to what he alleges is happening today. “I have been in public service for over 40 years and never been as disillusioned as I am today. … What is happening in Washington is every bit as corrupt as when Las Vegas was run by the mob, but the consquences for our country are worse.”
Below is the full text of the e-mail sent by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on behalf of Reid

Wild Thing’s comment……….
Poor old Harry seems to have forgotten the corrupt Clintons, Al Gore and the Chinese, the Daleys of Chicago, the Kennedy Machine, and Lord knows how many other examples of Dems distorting the democratic process!
This is ONLY a Republican scandal you say Harry???? huh? Patrick Kennedy was the second highest recipient of the Abramoff money, and he sure is no Republican. Abramoff was an equal opportunity kind of guy.
Dems are the “do as I say, not as I do”, or the “It applies to you, but not to me” party.

I have been in public service for over 40 years and never been as disillusioned as I am today. In 1977, I was appointed chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission. It was a difficult time for the gaming industry and Las Vegas, which were being overrun by organized crime
During the next few years, there would be threats on my life, FBI stings and even a car bomb placed in my family’s station wagon. What is happening today in Washington is every bit as corrupt as when Las Vegas was run by the mob, but the consequences for our country are worse. These Republicans have created the most corrupt government in our history. Their “K Street Project” is a shakedown machine that would make the mafia blush. We cleaned up Las Vegas, and we will clean up Washington DC.
Today, Democrats from Howard Dean in Ohio to Nancy Pelosi and me in Washington are declaring our commitment to a government as good and honest as the people it serves. To achieve that vision, this morning we introduced the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. Our tough, real reforms go beyond the public relations fixes Republicans suggest.
For example, a key proposal in the Act, known as “The Jack Abramoff Rule,” will ban staff and members from receiving gifts, meals and travel from lobbyists. This is not just about talking the talk; we are going to walk the walk, right now. Last night I told my staff that even though this bill is not yet law, our office will follow its provisions starting today. I am going to lead by example, and I challenge George Bush to do the same.
Join me, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, and hundreds of Democratic elected officials from around the country by signing the Honest Leadership Pledge. Our goal is to have one million Americans join us in this commitment to honest government:
http://www.dscc.org/honestleadership
Republicans will be introducing their own ethics legislation. Quite frankly, having Republicans trying to clean up the mess in Washington would be like asking John Gotti to clean up organized crime.
There is a price to pay for the culture of corruption, and we can see it in almost every major issue facing our country. Big Oil, protected by Republicans, reaped $100 billion in profits in 2005 while middle class families are paying more for gas, heat and other needs. Take the state of health care. There are the HMOs that benefited from the $10 billion slush fund in the Medicare bill. On the other side are seniors who face gaps in their coverage and skyrocketing prescription drug costs.
And then there is our national debt. On one side are the special interests and the multimillionaires who have received tremendous tax breaks over the last five years. On the other side are our children and grandchildren who will pay for these tax cuts when they inherit billions in debt.
We are seeing what happens when lawmakers and lobbyists conspire to put the needs of special interests before the needs of the American people. Democrats will put a stop to the culture of corruption — period.
Join us and sign the Honest Leadership Pledge today by visiting:
http://www.dscc.org/honestleadership
Thank you,
Harry Reid
P.S. I know similar emails are being sent today by a variety of Democratic organizations. If you are receiving multiple emails on the same topic, it is only because this issue is so important, we are banding together, as a party, to address this issue in one voice.
Miss Carpenter is Assistant Editor for HUMAN EVENTS.