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Non-Tech : The ENRON Scandal -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: The Duke of URL© who wrote (2961)	2/19/2002 10:17:01 PM
From: The Duke of URL©	Respond to of 5185

Well, I broke down and went back to Senator Joh McCain's website. I have great faith in this guy, he risked being ousted by his own party to get campaign finance reform enacted, and then when Bush was elected, the Repubs buried the McCain bill. But look at this: senate.gov Looks like your buddy, Greg is sort of spoofin' you. :)) ..."But the most obvious anti-reform effect of the Ney bill is its provision authorizing state parties to receive unlimited contributions for spending spend on federal elections. Partially plugging one loophole in a dam and widely opening another does not stop the tidal wave of big money into political campaigns and the political influence those huge donations buy." ... Only One Bill Means Reform by Sen. John McCain Washington Post February 13, 2002 This is it: Armageddon, as House Speaker Dennis Hastert put it. It is reckoning time for all members of the House of Representatives, time to take a stand for or against the corrupting influence of big-money campaign contributions. Reps. Chris Shays and Marty Meehan and their supporters have steadfastly worked to put together a strong bill that bans so-called soft moneythe huge, unlimited sums that corporations, labor unions and the very wealthiest Americans use to buy access and influence in Washington. Other brave souls, 218 of them in all, have also stepped up in a time of need and defied the powerful opponents of reform. They signed a petition that forced the House leadership to allow a fair debate and vote on campaign finance reform legislation. Do not underestimate the historic importance of this effort: It was only the second time in history that such a petition has succeeded. Today there will be a fair debate. But not every vote will be cast for reform. Only one bill bans unlimited contributions from corporations like Enron, labor unions and multimillionaire contributors: Shays-Meehan. Opponents of reform who prefer to keep things as they are in Washington have offered an alternative to Shays-Meehan that makes a bad system even worse. Congressman Robert Ney's bill will not stop the flood of soft money and does not intend to. It dramatically increases the limits on regulated campaign contributionshard moneyto parties, political committees and candidates, while at the same time barely restraining the flow of soft money into the national party coffers. But the most obvious anti-reform effect of the Ney bill is its provision authorizing state parties to receive unlimited contributions for spending spend on federal elections. Partially plugging one loophole in a dam and widely opening another does not stop the tidal wave of big money into political campaigns and the political influence those huge donations buy. ...

To: The Duke of URL© who wrote (2961)	2/20/2002 12:39:42 AM
From: Raymond Duray	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 5185

Walden's blowing smoke. I.e. he's lying. McCain, Feingold, Shays and Meehan are in the same camp. I had the same worries as you. Check out: ced.org ced.org There is an incredible amount of double-speak on this issue. It really is problematic. But what resolves some of my concerns is my basic admiration for Warren Buffett's good judgement. He's signed on to Shays-Meehan bill. That means a lot to me. The Mitch McConnell Republicans are a vile bunch of asses and they will stop at nothing to obfuscate the issues and confuse us. Remember, if McConnell, Armey, Gramm, Lott, DeLay, Dreier, Cheney or Bush have their hands on it, they mean to destroy America and cheat you and me. -ray