Should Congress be allowed to set its own ethic rules and police itself when it comes to ethics matters? What kind of system could you envision that would be a good alternative?

The business of governance like most other businesses requires travel. We learned that Congressional travel rules seem pretty clear, so what procedures or rules can you think of that would prevent abuse of travel by our representatives?

In the light of a recent article in The Atlantic Monthly, I agree with the author who states that we need a democratic congress to provide some check and balance to President Bush's policies. He has conducted the war without any responsiblility to the American people and driven us deeply into an immense national debt without anyone saying no to him. It is time for that to change.

Realistically it would seem tightening up requirements of disclosure documents and prohibition of lobbyists on travel itineraries might be doable if properly framed. Public shaming might help as well.

Public shaming? Have you forgotten who you're dealing with? They sent John Bolton, who is opposed to the United Nations, to be UN Ambassador, put pedophile Mark Foley in charge of Child Protection, and in every instance have headed federal agencies with people who are opposed to the purposes of those agencies. Even in Defense it was as if Rumsfeld refused to listen to the generals who told him what it would take to win in Iraq, because if they won quickly there would be fewer no-bid defense contracts.

These people have no shame. I believe the Spanish term is "sin verguenzas." You can tell the truth, as Bill Moyers does, but you really can't shame the Devil.

Any elected official who accepts money or any other form of a bribe should be charged with treason!
The consequence must outweight the benefit of of selling out the American people to the corporations and the rich who live on our backs just as feudal lords did in the middle ages.

I have long believed that only actual individual people that have the right to vote should be allowed to contribute anything to a politician. That means no political action committees, non-profit organizations, unions or corporations should be able to give anything to a politician in order to bribe them or influence legislation. I think lobbying is a necessary part of the democratic process. It is just that the money needs to be taken out of the mix. It seems that simply prohibiting any money, gift, travel package or other forms of bribery from changing hands between lobbyists and politicians might go a long way towards fixing the problem. I agree with one comment I recently read on this matter, that if a politician needs to travel to somewhere to gather information or see something for themselves, it is the people's business they are on and it is the people who should fund the trip. Only the politician and their necessary staff should be allowed to go on this business trip. There should be no spouses, lobbyists or other hangers on going along at the people's expense. There should be an outside organization or committee that oversees these trips and ensures that they are necessary trips and that they are undertaken at a reasonable and justifiable expense.

Perhaps, a travel budget proportional to the distance between Washington and the Representative's constituency would help. Since travel, like maintaining a Washington office and staff, is part of a Representative's overhead, it could be funded the same way. Members of Congress receive salaries; do they also receive expense allowances?

should ANYONE be allowed to make their own rules and enforce them without oversight?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!
look at the mess it makes

oops i forgot. they give themselves raises too!
absurd... everytime i ask my boss for that power he just laughs and laughs and laughs

Please let people know about the World Can't Wait: Drive Out the Bush Regime and the Bush Crimes Commission. There will be massive demonstrations in over 180 cities across the United States on October 5th, 2006, protesting war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the bush administration. We must fight the passage of this new torture bill, Military Commissions Act 2006. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Maryjo

I think we need to get all money out of politics. Politicians should be prohibited from raising or spending any money at all. Broadcasters should be required as a condition of licensing to provide free air time for political messages and debates, during prime time. The government can also provide internet sites for all candidates. Public funding can provide flyers, signs and other campaign necessities. When travel is needed for legislative fact finding, as noted above, it should be publicly funded and regulated. And this does not include golf at St. Andrews! I would also favor experimenting with lottery systems for Congressional races. You want to be a congressperson, take the test. Pass it, and get on a list. Select names at random from the list, 10 each election cycle. Give each candidate the same amount of time and support to campaign... and let the best man or woman win!

Every move that congress makes must be checked and
verified. Perhaps,a citizenry group could be appointed, like when a citizen is selected for jury duty. I suspect this approach would be more time-consuming upfront, but the outcome would be just and, in the long run, perhaps, not as lengthly is no one has to be prosecuted.

I wish that the poll taken on citizens' satisfaction with Congress had been cross-referenced as to income level. That would surely provide an insight as to who the Congress is really working for now. Party issues are only a smokescreen made to obscure the real war that the middle class is losing.

In the beginning, above, of the "class", it is noted that the rules within the Congressional Ethics, which are meant to oversee travel expenditures, are explicit. It seems highly necessary to have an outside entity enforcing these rules with severe consequences to those who do not abide by them such as substantial jail time and fines. I agree, too, with the opinions of Terre Pope that travel is for the peoples' business and should only be paid by the people; not lobbyists, companies, etc. It is, indeed, a business trip, not a jaunt for the spouse, kids, college buddy, etc. I feel strongly, too, that to regain the proper checks and balances within our government and to regain respect for our government, the undertaking (s) must be bi-partisan in nature. There are too many dark shadows on both sides of the aisle.

Should Congress be allowed to set its own ethic rules & police itself when it comes to ethic matters? OF COURSE NOT!!! That's like "letting the fox guard the chicken house." Any time you give total control to any organization - goverment or private - to self regulate itself, it is a set up for disaster. Look at what has happened recently to some of our large corporations - ie Enron and the like. Lets keep the government "for the people and by the people."

I have absolutely no clue about what's happened to "our" country..I feel totally hopeless and helpless to "fix" it and I know I'm not alone in feeling this way. Things have gone horribly wrong..I do know that.

No! Not only is the temptation to be dishonest with others, when power is at stake, but even more dangerously - people don't usually recognize when they are being dishonest with themselves.

The money absolutely should be taken out of the mix! The job of our reps is to do the business of the people and the country - NOT - out raising more money in order to hold onto their seats so they can get fatter at the taxpayers expense!

No legislator should be able to leave office then go back and game the system as a lobbyist! It should be absolutely illegal!

I agree with Terre Pope above on taking money from the system.

I also think there should be an outside agency with no connection to the lawmakers to police Congressional ethics! No way should the foxes be in charge of the henhouse!

Congress has lost all all sense of morality. Their contempt for government and basic American values, while perpetrating the most henious of crimes against us. Bribery should not be the cost of doing business in Washington. We need a better vetting process. Earmarking if continued needs to be totally out in the open for the public inspection. The importance of government and its role in "serving" its constituents has been totally ignored by them. Congress is contemptuous of those they serve. The system needs a total reform, revolution is the only way but it won't happen. They think we don't know and even if we do we don't care. We need reform in the long run and revolution now to stop these amoral, immoral, unethical and illegal "public servants" from taking over the country to line their pockets at our expense.

This is a system of government owned by one party....its the money party; the corporate party that owns both sides of the isle.
Both democrats and republicans need to be taken to task. The political action groups need to be put under scrutiny, as all our politcal leaders.
I am sick of paying taxes to support such disgusting attitudes by our congress and senate. I am fed up with things happening to our country that are obviously wrong yet you can see the obvious power that made it happen.
If we do not clean this up then we stand accused as the "great satan".

This is a system of government owned by one party....its the money party; the corporate party that owns both sides of the isle.
Both democrats and republicans need to be taken to task. The political action groups need to be put under scrutiny, as all our politcal leaders.
I am sick of paying taxes to support such disgusting attitudes by our congress and senate. I am fed up with things happening to our country that are obviously wrong yet you can see the obvious power that made it happen.
If we do not clean this up then we stand accused as the "great satan".

I am so disheartened and have never felt so powerless as I do with are present situation in Washington, D.C..That is with are so-called goverment of the people. It's like my dad use to say, best goverment money can buy. I geuss he was right, isn,t that sad.

The reason congresspeople are elected by a contingiecy that is population driven by a 10 year cencius of the population . Dont you think that particular congresperson represents that portion of socity?

At about the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution in 1787, a Scottish history professor by the name of Professor Alexander Tyler had this to say about "The Fall of the Athenian Republic" over 2,000 years previous to that date:

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse (generous gifts) from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."
"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance, from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back into bondage." Alexander Tyler - - - - -

With the upcoming national election in mind, where do you think our nation is in this pattern? It makes no difference whether the candidate for national, or state, office is Republican or Democrat, will the one who promises (or who has delivered) the most get elected? Probably so. How else can you explain that, when a large new expenditure is granted for our district, the elected official from our district always gets to announce it? Obviously, it’s because politicians have discovered that’s how you get reelected. Just look at Sen. Robert Byrd of Virginia, the Prince of Pork.

Government spending in our area is always “necessary” and “appropriate”, but if it’s for somewhere else, it’s “pork”. Where are we in the pattern mentioned above?

I think ethics violations along the lines of what Abronoff,Reed and Delay are treason. When representatives take advantage of the people they claim to be representing, for their own personal gain they violate their oath of office and crap on our constitution.
I think the penalty for treason should be death. That would make it real simple for everyone to understand.

The behavior of many of our elected officials is appauling and in the current system I do not see a change for some time. Unfortunatly it is much too hard for the common folk like me to keep up with all the talking heads. There will have to be a way to communicate the worthiness of a GOOD reform bill and have the American people make sure that their representative votes for it with an easy to track system. If they do not vote for it, we will not vote for them. That should not be that hard. Put an effective, comprehensive reform bill together and propose a huge media campaign sponsored by corporations. The corporations can do their civic duty by getting this much needed reform pushed through. Put the power back where it belongs, with the people.

Arrogrance and greed will only win if we allow it to. Going from golfing in Scotland to waiting for a roll of toliet paper in prison is an image I relish for Delany and all like him.

I have experienced the misuse of federal authority. We require more than oversight of ethics by unaffiliated agencies. We require people in positions of ethical oversight who are convicted of the understanding we may lose this country if we do not act fearlessly to prosecute corruption.

I'm sorry, but there is no such thing as pessimism.....we are all intimately linked with each other as to our wellbeing. We might be reluctant or cranky to undertake the work at hand, but we must undertake it.

I am very much at risk personally due to the actions of Jack Abramoff, Ney and DeLays and their less savory cohorts. This is about more than lobbyists: this was a takeover attempt on our government. Far from being solely a story about broke Indians and hopeless Chinese people in Taipei, this is a story of subversion of government-s and establishment of lawlessness in place of government.

If I felt confidantly protected by our Department of Justice, I would not have asked the International Criminal Court to establish a trove for documents relating, in part, to Jack and to al qaeda...and they would not have granted my request.

I would accept good faith, comprehensive investigations and lawful prosecutions.

Now would be good.

I think the program that aired tonight. Should be shown in every gov't class
in every high school in is great country.

I think the program that aired tonight. Should be shown in every gov't class
in every high school in is great country.

Poor people are thrown in jail for much, much less.
Real punishment like jailtime (in a real jail) is needed for corrupt scum like Tom Delay and others like him and will dramatically reduce this problem.

I think that along with any other reforms, there should be a strict term limitation in both houses - 2 terms for the Senate and 6 for the House of Reps. This would give a maximum of 12 years for all Congresspersons.Also, get rid of the benefits that these people get after even one term, and let them pay for their own retirement and medical care.

Want to take a guess as to what profession primarily makes up the bulk of Congress?
Then think of the legalese used to obfuscate the true intentions of a bill, law or rule. What we need are "real" people in Congress.
If you are walking around D.C., keep your hands in your pockets, not only to hold on to your money, but also your pants.
Trust them to police their own ethics? Not on your life...

After watching tonight's show on Abramoff scandal, I am fuming. It's a big irony that we are in other countries we are promoting our system of govenance and we can't manage our own system. The people like Tom Delay are just the tip of the iceburg and we are sitting here and hoping that judicial system may take care of the problem. Why can't we have a militray tribunal for these congressmen who are eating up the democratic system. The party of High Moral Values and Patriotism is doing nothing but walking over the illiterate, god-fearing and ignorant Americans who have put their faith in the hands of a few self-serving greedy people.
The same party who raised the hell over a nano-second exposure of a breast on TV is sitting quietly on hypocrisy of its own members and the killing of thousands of young men and women in Iraq. By the way I don't know of any member of congress or in the Executive branch whose sons or daughters have died in Iraq in the name of bringing democracy. For god's sake fix yourself before you go to preach others.

One of the most important statements I heard on Bill Moyer's program was that contempt by the public for "politics" works in favor of those in power. Our own contempt of these people has led us to shirk our duties as citizens. Our duty as a citizen is to vote. Voting is the only voice we have left. Corrupt politicians do not want intelligent people to vote.

The first line in diffusing the corruption is to change the way candidates are chosen. Those deemed "electable" and who have enough financial backing potential are the only ones who make it into the electoral process. I've seen vague black and white images of something that used to happen where the parties would gather and candidates would be chosen by a voting process. These were knock-down drag-out affairs where candidates would stand before the people and make speaches that were not just photo-opportunites. Today the political conventions are nothing more than the official sanctioning of the candidate chosen by a group of behind-the-scenes shadow-people.

Those of us who do see our America being destroyed by corruption must become a more active force. This is a non-partisan fight.

Thomas Jefferson was firmly convinced that any government should be overthrown by revolution routinely to avoid what has happened to this one. I do not advocate a violent or armed revolution, but we must act responsibly and use those methods that are (still) legally viable.

Indeed, imagine a band of say...minutemen...armed with hunting equipment, bent on wresting their remaining freedoms from a government who has lost concern for its citizens' welfare. Unlike the band of men who fought King George, that band today would be promptly put down by an assault team and branded as terrorists. Not viable, nor necessary, thanks again to Thomas Jefferson, et.al.

Reform? Reform as related to politics is just another word that has become meaningless. I hope someone can offer up another word that might more effectively state the need for our American congress to be held
accountable to we-the-people.

Do you know what is scary? I have a faint discomfort in posting this for fear of becoming a suspcious "person of interest" because I mentioned the r-word. Scary.

how do i find out who is funding my political leaders? the tv program said to find it of this web site but i couldn't find it.

its 9pm and it is NOT on. whats the scoop? the local station at KCET said specifically at 9pm wednesday. and it aint on!!!!!
bob banner

To get money out of politics we would have to incite a revolution, as Jefferson suggested we do once every generation.

Our Supreme Court has institutionalized the concept that financial contributions to politicians is protected political speech; hence, we cannot expect the courts to support any effort at campaign reform.

The President uses signing statements as if they were candies to justify his prevarication and failure to uphold the laws duly passed by Congress. This adminstration has pressured scientists and experts within federal agencies to lie or to knuckle under. How can we expect such a group to apply ethical standards?

And Congress? They are addicted to money and graft: check out what they do with earmarks to shortcircuit any means to observe what they are doing to line the pockets of cronies and supporters.

On top of all this is the crowning glory of this current administration: the Culture of Corruption is enabled by the Society of Indifference. Between the cynicism among those who support and benefit from the corruption and those who are exhausted by the effort it takes to persist in this society, we have become incapable of mounting enough outrage and energy to throw the rascals out!

We need national ombudsmen to demand more sunshine laws and to monitor all public policy. But then again, isn't that what the press is supposed to do? Oh, yes, we need to be more worried about Katie Couric's wardrobe and make sure that PBS is "fair and balanced" by soiling its airwaves with conservative hacks and lackeys.

Our institutions are all in need of more monitoring, a good bit of anger, and a fair dose of patience.

It will take all of us getting involved everyday with every outrage as it occurs.

I thank Bill Moyers and all you good citizens for this opportunity to share my worries and sustain my hopes.

I think our congress is no better than the third world countries we criticize for their corruption. How easy it would be for us to be taken over by a few power greedy men and turned into a dictatorship. Lately it has seemed to be a real possibilty executed through the executive branch, but now I see that it would not be that hard to do with congress's help. Another bad custom is gerrymandering of voting districts. This should be illegal..what a wonderful scheme that is to keep "your man" in office. I also don't think that pushing people to vote is so wise; so many don't bother to learn about the candidates and pick someone by name recognition or vote against someone whose reputation has been falsely maligned.

I think that Anerican government is on the verge of destruction. The corruption of Congress has been docunented completely. Where is the outrage of the American Public? There must be an independent ethics board established perhaps by the Administration and the Courts to watch Congress and to prosecute those who violate the ethics rules. On the other hand, political contributions should be banned and campains should be publically funded after the primary level. I strongly doubt that these suggestions will ever be made into law.

There must be a complete overhaul of the campaign finance process. The revised process must include financing only by the public. There should be compete disclosure and public oversight. Public financing is necessary for several reasons:

1. The total spending can be limited.

2. Each candidate should be required to spend the same amount. Funds will be spend more efficiently. Candidates will be less likely to waste money and public air time on attack ads.

3. It will prevent candidates from becoming beholding to the private sector and special interests before they are even elected.

4. It will level the playing field. Federal public office will no longer be open only to the wealthy.

5. It will generate a whole new election process. With transparency and an open playing field, the best qualified candidates may actually be nominated.

Finally, for those who say they do not want their tax dollars spent on election campaigns, in the long run there is no question these will be the best tax dollars the public has ever spent.

Thanks for producing this segment. It is important to reiterate that this corruption is not found just in conservative camps, but in both.

I agree that the real party is "the money party." The Bible says that the LOVE of money is the ROOT of all evil. We can see that, even more clearly after watching this program.

A statement in a movie I watched recently but don't remember the name of, reflects what seems to be a healthy stance for our congress. The statement was, "People should not be afraid of the government. Government should be afraid of the people."

We do live in fear of the government (IRS, police, Child Protective Services [Heaven forbid we would physically correct a disobedient child!]). We do so because of laws that have been passed in our Congress that have stripped us of many of our rights.

Do you realize that if an individual recieves SSI, they are allowed to have a maximum of $2,000 in the bank, and cannot own a home or a car without being penalized?

Medicaid D is a HORRIBLE bill that was passed because our Congress is interested mainly in helping big business!

Medicaid and Medicare cap what they will pay in medical bills, so in order for the drug companies and hospitals to get more money, seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D (many with incredibly limited income) will have to pay thousands out of pocket for medical needs and prescriptions.

Yes, that's our congress at work.

Yes, take the money out of the equation....and let members of Congress live on what the majority of society lives on.

Greed and Corruption in ANY gov't is unfortunately the norm. Abramoff & Delay took it to new heights. They should be serving at least 20 years in prison, about the same length of time they manipulated our laws. And their buddies 1/2 that time. Oh and the wives...aiding and abetting the felons.The other American tragedy is our pathetic voter turnout compounded by the corruption in that arena, so that even if 'the people' try to change the system...it's broken too. The average American is so distracted by life, you might say apathetic, the future of this country is dim at best. My heart cries for the next generation.

For campaign finance reform, how about publicly funded elections? Or call them voter-owned elections; I would rather run elections with my tax dollars than have oil and drug companies and other corporate interests financing them. Some politicians don't like this reform but the voters do.

Connecticut, North Carolina, Arizona and Maine have already passed laws for voluntary public funding for elections. California has a funding measure on its ballot this year.

Yes, the program really drove home how utterly corrupted politics have become. But if enough states jump on board the voter-ownership wagon, it could make a real difference in our political culture.

MODERATOR RESPONSE TO ANNE'S QUESTION
"how do i find out who is funding my political leaders? the tv program said to find it of this web site but i couldn't find it."

Anne,

We have posted more resources than anyone can sort through in a lifetime at: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/capitol/resources.html There are a number of resources relating to funding as well as other issues raised in the documentary. One resource you might check out is the web site for the Institute on Money in State Politics.
Hope this helps!

Taylor Willingham
Moderator

MODERATOR RESPONSE TO Bob Banner QUESTION

We'll check on this problem, but take heart. The entire documentary will be available at this web site sometime on Thursday October 5. Check back. I'm sorry you weren't able to watch the program tonight, but at least we have other options for you. Thanks for you interest. We look forward to your participation after you view the program!

Taylor Willingham

Only the wealthy people in this country that are digusted with politians and the way politians are using this country to advance their own power and greed should band together to form a new independent party that promises when elected it will eliminate all the unethical practices of the current government and find a way to change the election process. Only the wealthy people can save this country from ruin. We the people have no power whatsoever. Sure we can vote, but when we go to vote, either a Republican or a Democrat will be elected. One party is just as bad as the other. Like Robin Williams said, "Politians are like diapers, both need changing and for the same reason." Maybe people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet should consider starting a new party with some of those billions of dollars to save America before sending their money over to Africa or elsewhere.

After watching PBS's Moyers On America: Capitol Crimes earlier this evening -- about felon Jack Abramoff, I'm left feeling nauseous.

You know, I used to think that all the murderous, money-licking 'gangsta' rappers were the most genetically inferior beings on this planet. But now I can see that cretins like Abramoff, Ralph Reed, Tom Delay (and his prostitute wife) -- and all of their money-licking loser pals in Congress are about as valuable to this planet as the butt cracks of the murderous gangsta rappers.

There are very few americans left that care about what is happening to this country. First of all, there is at least 100 or more polititions in Washington that should be arrested for treason, tried and if found guilty SHOT!!! We the people have less representation in Washington then illegal aliens, because the illegals have corporations representing them due to the need for them to have cheap labor. I do not see god in Tom Delay's mug shot I see a bullet between his eyes for commiting TREASON!!!!

If we let children decide their punishment, would they not choose cake and ice cream?
If we let criminals decide their own punishment, would they not choose to go free?
Of course we need to monitor the bribes (aka campaign contributions).
America's government was designed to to represent it's citizens. Without reform, the government only represents financial interests/corporations.
In the end, the people of this country are suffering, while smug politicians are too greedy to notice.
We are letting criminals go free.

I would say that we have got to make our disgust known by voting every single Republican out of office - but our very votes are stolen as well. I have come to believe that Capitalism is evil when corporations are given the same status as individuals, and their rights are placed above the rights of the people by our loegislative representatives. We need to have laws passed that will place public good above corporate self-interest, but I have come to doubt that I will ever see that happen. How do we pass laws for public financing of political campaigns, mandatory free time over radio and tv waves to candidates, regulation of corporations to protect the public, adequate funding for education,and universal healthcare, take away legislators' ability to give themselves raises, and remove the practice of combining unrelated bills all into one bill, when our legislators refuse to do so?

This question is for any of the moderators: Would you research for us whether it would be at all possible for U.S. citizens to file class-action civil suits against Abramoff and all the other felons involved, for everything from the gerrymandering, to the racketeering, to their failure to live up to their contracts to properly serve us (their clients/employers)?

If this is possible -- and if U.S. citizens win our civil suit, the proceeds could then go toward public financing of political campaigns.

I just wept. I have felt for so long that elections need to be held with set amounts and take the fund raising out of it. Totally.

The horror of how low we all have gone in letting all this happen. The casinos had 'dirty hands' as judges would say. We as a society have become so greedy and self centered that we don't get excited over much unless our 'comfort zones' are threatened. Even Congressman Murtha when questioned the other day about lobbying and earmarks he didn't want them eliminated!

I AM SICKENED that the name of Our Creator has been used to forefront all of this discusting behavior.

If you wonder to yourself are there any principals left and if so would we even know them?

I am terrified!

Should Congress be allowed to set its own ethic rules and police itself when it comes to ethics matters?

Our government only works when effective checks and balances are in place. Voluntarily policing itself is not a check or balance. No, Congress should not be allowed to police itself. This is of immense importance. Ultimately, corruption always leads to a war, in fact, if there is a war going on, it most certainly means corruption is rampant.

Maybe a cabinet level post on ethics and anticorruption shouild be set up, or an independent body similar to the Federal Reserve can be created to oversee ethics. Random ethic audits need to happen continually. At least, let's keep the honest people honest.

Add outside members to the Congressional Ethics Committee such as from the Concord Coalition and Common Cause. Make deliberations and hearings open as much as possible.

Congress acts like a bunch of French Queens...Marie Antoinettes....not men...and not representative of the American sentiment...They should all be investigated like I was today when I applied for a $10/hr job at an Indian casino today..They snipped my hair for a drug test, took prints from all 10 fingers, wanted to know if I had any scars or tatoos and wouldn't give the jobs because I have over $4,000 in liabilities (which just happen to be my student loans!!!!Yes....we should demand the same from our lawmakers!

WHAT? NO EDIT BUTTON???I'm ashamed of myself for not editing my blog before posting it....anyway...DOWN WITH DELAY!!!

Visit me at blogspot.com

The house Ethics rules seem clear enough on face value. Obviously there is no willingness on the part of the house leadership to see them enforced. This is not a PARTY issue Mr. and Mrs. America. This is about subversion of the democratic process of government. The framers of the constitution were correct in making the Legislative branch the first article. This is the body entrusted by WE the people, to act in OUR best intrest. ALL of OUR best intrests, not just a select few. I do not belive there is a quick easy fix for the failure of congress. But in a larger sense WE the people should share in that failure. When you go to the polls in November, KNOW WHO and WHAT you are voting for. These people who have shown such contempt for ethics did not just walk in there to congress. BE an informed voter. THINK for yourself. Not what the news tells you or some interest group. There are many resources available for informing oneself. This very site is one of them. I fully agree with the comment that travel for offical business by and elected offical should be paid for by public funds not by "special intrests groups" It is a fact that our elected officals need to meet with there constituents to discusss issues that are important to them. An outright ban on travel will not acomplish anything meaningful. Prohibit lobbyists and family members from attending such trips. Definetly there needs to be a FULL public disclosure of the Purpose, cost and Itinerary, for such trips. This should be not only submitted to the house ethics committee, but to the representitives home state governmental travel affairs branch. As for tracking the sources of funding for such trips, There needs to be a dtatbase tracking system established that lists all non-profit entities and their legitimacy. Casino jack just manipulated the rules and set up pirate organizations to funnel money through, and there was no way to verify that they were ligitimate organizations. What is happeneing in congress now is nothing short of treasonous activity. We have the speaker of the house involved in a scheme that subverts the very principles of government. That being to activly work to unfund any legislation that opposes the party in power. A money laundering scheme designed for one purpose and one purpose only, to stay in power. GOd! and you thought it was bad what Dick Nixon did! This ought to make all of us as citizens MAD AS HELL!!!! The constitution provides a method for dealing with treason. And it is not talking about TAR and feathering either.

It makes my blood boil to see the hypocricy of these so-called "Christian" conservatives! The way they manipulated the entire process of political contributions is outrageous.

I AM mad as hell! After watching last night I feel ashamed that I have not been more vigilant. We keep voting in the same people with the hopes that something different will happen - that's the definition of insanity!! We must hold our representatives accountable for their actions. It truly is up to the people to bring change. Let it begin with me.

A Constitutional Convention must be planned for and implemented as soon as we can affect regime change. Subversive interests must necessarily be excluded from participation, i.e., NO REPUBLICANS! Rules and Constitutional Amendments should be implemented presuming trustworthy participants. Reasonable qualifications should be established beyond "naturalized American, 35-years old, etc." Any candidate for elective office must pass rigid mental tests including lie detector tests. Absolutely no nepotistism! Background checks, criminal records. It shall not automatically be the selection of any political party acting alone! Yada-Yada-Yada...

At this point the people of America seem to have turned over the policing of ethics to the government. The congress now not only polices its own ethics, but ours too! This is a major major problem; people are not taking responsibility for their government, leaving it up to very corrupt mobsters who will steal and kill to get to the top.
These people are unqualified. This was made clear the first time George Bush spoke into a mic; and has become more clear with each horribly-handled problem America encounters. The whole gang needs to be in prison. Instead, 1 in 140 Americans are in prison. For what???
We have no healthcare, and Abramoff and Delay and Grover are sending Taxpayer money around the table, doing whatever they want with it??
Meanwhile forcing women in the Marianna Islands to get abortions, while saying to their blind ignorant base that they're anti-choice!!!
people, wake up.

We are clearly at a point of needing to adhere to the intent of our constitution. As Lincoln said in the Gettysburg address, "government of the people, for the people and by the people". What we have allowed our politicians to do is government by the money, of the money and for the money. Our elected officials have kidnapped the system. They are exorbitantly paid, unaccountable fiscally to their bosses (us) and flagrant in their hedonistic philosophies. We have the right system but we are allowing the servants to run amuck.

The Christian Right should be ashamed of itself for the strong association with Ralph Reed - who was lying and manipulating Abramhoff - "he's a worse version of us" acording to Abramhoff on one of his e-mails. I want to know what legal action has been taken against Reed????
The prison terms are a JOKE.. . a person commiting a minor crime gets more punishment - these criminals need to be sent a strong message, not a tap on the wrist term in a luxury cell and we know they'll get out in half the time. Why haven't these cruel and disgusting criminals been punished properly whereby their personal fortunes are taken from them and their pensions put back into the public coffers. They have no shame.
Thank you to Moyer for this excellent and disturbing insight into our corrupt system - we need CHANGE and a strong message sent to Capital Hill - People of America, we cannot and should not put up with this!!!!!!

Sadly, Congress doesn't have any incentive to clean up it's corrupt practices because the majority of Americans are perfectly willing to defer responsibility of governance to those few individuals that vote. Most Americans feel disenfranchised so they don't get involved in the political process. This has been perpetrated by both parties.

Thank you, Bill Moyers for this stunning expose'. It is beyond comprehension.

We Americans have contempt for other governments that allow themselves to be bribed - some countries in Africa, South American and the Middle East for example. We should wake up. We are no different. We've simply woven graft, corruption and greed into our form of government.

I agree that this expose' should be required viewing by every person in America.

It seems as if there is no way for a citizen, armed with only one vote to use between candidates chosen by the same corrupt parties, to do anything that will make the slightest difference in getting the attention of the politicians now in office. But we do have one powerful tool, which is the Internet. Email this website to everyone in your address book, and insist they check it out if they didn't see the broadcast. Then hope that some day we will be able to come together to put forth a candidate, via the Internet,who is actually chosen by the people, and who can be held accountable to the people.

I urge every American to attempt to remember that this problem is not found exclusively within the Repbulican or Democratic Party. It seems the party that enjoys a majority controls the money and it is quite a lucrative incentive to win elections. Average American voters are the only solution for this, we must check our party affiliation at the door and attack this issue with the full vigor and determination that we can. We get the government we deserve and if we make excuses for our particular party engaging in these activities we will regret it, all of us, regardless of party affiliation. What America needs right now is moral leadership, real politicians and diplomats who care about America first, their party second. Our government is not governing us, they are duping us and robbing us to line thier own pockets; absolutely dispicable! But we have allowed them to get away with it. America is truly in peril and as I said before, only the American voter can fix it. We must demand action, as for me, emails and phone calls to my senators and congressman begin today!

Congressional ethics is an oxymoron. The more I see, read and hear the more disgusted I get. As others before have said, "We MUST take action".
It gets so frustrating though because it seems, the more corrupt, the more money and resources there is to keep the cycle of corruption going. It's almost like being in a dirty barnyard. You keep stepping in crap and there are more flies than you can swat.

*During an election, there should be only three (3) campaign commercials per day..these being comprised of two halves statement/rebuttal for each party.
*Lobbying may be tried and true (not), but should be banned from our politics. We should demand intelligent reasoned honest people as our politicians (oxymoron).
*Old fashioned paper ballots ONLY in elections. .AND Oversight.
*the Electoral College must be banished and at least four different parties allowed.
*Our states must retain contact with their constituents, have powers beyond those of the fed. gov't, with the Federal gov't only having minor control or input.
* Any politics-as-usual law-breaking by congresspeople must be addressed immediately by a trial-by-jury, with punishments commensurate with those so widely used by bush II.
while gov of TX
*Those, including the president,found guilty of treason are to be hanged.

This is the type of activity of our leaders in power that is the flesh and bones of the sad condition of our country today: ethically, morally, and economically. Do we now ever have a chance of having a government by the People, for the People, and not a government respresenting the selected few of the rich, corporate and corrupt? The President of my country has not represented my views in any way except one; and that was the unification of my grief with my government's grief during the tragedy of 9-11. Even this, however, has become very cold comfort in the five years since that tragic day. My country's administration manipulated my bewilderment, horror, grief and anger, my human feelings, to justify his sending our finest young men and women to put their lives on the line in Iraq; a country that had nothing to do with creating the deep sorrow of that day. Since that day, my confidence in my country's leadership ability has been replaced with skepticism, mistrust and dismay. Along with the majority of Americans, I have suffered economically and psychologically. My pride and hope as an American were not destroyed by the hijackers and murderers of 9-11, but by the administration of my country. I Think It Is Time For A Change.

It is a good thing we still have freedom of the press or it would be a total unchecked good ole boys club in Washington.

PEOPLE! Most everyone I am reading from on here are surprised and disgusted, just as I was. The reason is that we have not paid attention. Well there are organizations that aren't surprised and have already started to try and do something about it.
One place is:
http://www.cleanupwashington.org Go ahead and get involved. Don't send money, actually do something instead.

See if your candidate or representative has signed the "voters first pledge" Mine hasn't and he took the place of Tom Delay (Boehner). Go figure.

It seems clear that Congress can not police itself. Someone always makes an end run around whatever policy is put in place.

But the question of what's to be done certainly brings to mind the re-education camps put in place by repressive regimes around the world once they come to power. Although not an advocate of that approach, I can now better understand why they did it.

Until viewing the Capital Crimes program, I wasn't a backer of the Arizona Voter Rewards Initiative, which would put Arizona voters in a $1 mil lottery once they actually vote. I'm now thinking the lobbyists should just pay citizens directly! We might as well cut out the middleman.

Saw the Abramoff show last night and I can't thank you enough for putting this information before the American public. Will you be showing it again? I wish that everyone in the country had seen the program. This K Street scam is just the tip of the iceberg. Write to your newspaper editors and representatives.

Great Job!, and yes thank you for showing all the darkest areas of our country, which we had a pretty good idea about it. The mobsters themselves are trying their darnest to keep all this secret. I hope you didn't catch a lot of flack from them, Fox News, etc...
One of the saddest parts for me is that these people ARE the "Christian" Right. But like the bumper sticker says..."The Christian Right is neither".

i put down my tolstoy. this story is way better than that! btw,i did a political cartoon when delay announced his "retirement." can't seem to post it at this site (sigh).let me know whatchathink...http://blog.myspace.com/songweasel

When a citizen becomes a member of Congress, the Supreme Court or the Presidency, all management of their assets should be monitored by two separate independent accounting bodies. All fiscal events should be audited and made public on a quarterly basis while they are in office and for 5 years thereafter.

And to think that Bill Moyers was in the bull's eye of the Republican party. Where are the rest of the journalists. This story happened last year and its taken this long to get the story aired in its entirety vs. sound bites although I have to say I am grateful for the timing.

Thank you Bill, PBS. You and the blogosphere are our greatest hope that TRUTH will PREVAIL.

How I wish all Americans had viewed this program last night. I have and will continue to share the transcript site with as many people as possible. Especially at this particular point in our history it is so important to be informed about the complex and devious ways in which our Congressional Representatives so quickly forget who it is they are supposed to represent. Thank you Bill Moyers for making the story of the Abramoff/Delay scandal understandable to the general public. Public funding of elections is, in my opinion, the only way we are ever going to insure fair and honest elections. Eliminating the ability of lobbiest to shower members of Congress with money, trips, extravagant meals, etc., would go a long way towards ending the arrogance and greed that becomes a way of life for the "professional" congressperson. Until and unless we, the people, demand meaningful change in Washington, things will only continue to corrupt the system further. I agree with so many others of the comments I have read here. Where is the outrage? Until and unless we act on our convictions and demand change...what can we realistically expect?

I am very afraid. I have been so since the supremes selected our president.
On that day, America started the no-bottom slide to rid itself of Democracy. I feel people don't know, don't understand, are so full of the media spin, that public outcry is impossible. I am right to be afraid.

As an anthropologist, it is apparent that the current crisis in USA politics is only one symptom of what we term, "Independence Training". Children are expected to be individualistic and not socially responsible (socialistic). IT training is such a fundamental cultural trait that it is a factor in just about everything in contemporary American society from politics to economics to the declining family. Many scholars have documented these cultural attributes ranging from "cheating" to "selfishness" and even to "rudeness". From the U.S. Army's slogan of "Army of One" to sports' "MVP" we are a culture, a nation of individuals. On the positive side of IT, we have championed "individual rights" around the globe, but on the negative side, many Americans have become "social monsters" blaming others for their own lack of social responsibility.
"sin verguenzas"

NEEDED: A population willing to put aside their six-packs, get up and off of their dead butts, find a way to define and agree on the issues and then take their money out of the Bank of America and stop buying Chevron until the top 5 issues are resolved.

All I can say is, thank you Bill Moyers and your team. Like Walter Cronkite a generation ago, Bill Moyers has got to be the most trusted man in journalism today.

Class mates:
FINALLY we are being shown that, truthfully, the Repiblican Party and the Democratic Party holding paid positions of responsibility to us Citizens, are pretty much similar in thinking and lack of deep inner Honesty- Conscienceness.

THEREFORE, since none of them has suggested, EVEN that they could help our country and it's Citizens in or severe financial circumstances,by creating a way for all elected officials to BE PUT ON SOCIAL SECURITY; then this is my suggestion on HOW to begin correcting the Capitol Crime Mentality there in Washington.. and it may seem rather severe.

My thought is that we require all Elected Politicol employees to be periodically evaluated by a Psychiartist. Psychiatrists themselves are evaluated periocically in order to assure their Patients that they themselves are in good Mental Health. Thus to me it makes sense that the people who represent us the Citizens could be requested by us the Citizens to also be be evaluated for our assurance. You may remember, Dr. Scott Peck, the Psychiatrist said in his book: 'The Road Less Traveled' that '...we could ALL benefit from some time with a good Psychiatrist.'

I'm aware that 'words mean different things to different people' and my thought expressed may need some fine tuning to implement. I do ask each one who reads my thoughts here, to re-read it with thought....and then ASK YOUR SELF: DOES IT SEEM LIKE THINGS IN OUR POLITICOL ARENA HAVE BEEN SO BAD FOR SO LONG that we need to take some very different, creative steps for our own assurance.

These honest Elected representatives could be willing and those unwilling could wause me to ask myslef if I really want that person in their position.

Thank you, Bill Moyers, for the years of stimulating me to think on a level of the Common Good. And I feel it's kinda pityfull to think that the Conscience of so many people seeking office is so deteriorated that we have to think this way.

WHAT WE NEED IS FOR ALL VOTERS TO VOTE FOR
THE NATIONAL INITIATIVE FOR
DEMOCRACY ON THE WEB
AT www.ni4dus

VOTERS TRY THE NATIONAL INITATIVE FOR DEMOCRACT ON THE WEB AT WWW.NI4D.US

Congressional terms need to be limited. Elected government officials must have their bank accounts audited yearly and any discrepancies made public. Lobbiest need to be run out of DC. Congressmen should be required to live in their districts/states at least 2/3rds of the year to keep them away from DC's bad influences and allow their constituents to have real access to them. Any ethics questions or investigations need to be handled by the Supreme court.

Perhaps we could end lobbying as an independent
career.

Lobbying efforts would only be done by employees of corporations whose interests would then be transparent.

This would prevent the selling of access and influence by former legislators who , while acting as middle men,
collect money from clients and perks from politicians

Also, why don't we set up audits of congressional travel by a committee of the opposite party. Perhaps we can use some of this partisanship in a way that serves the people's interests.

It is great to have Bill Moyers back on PBS covering Washington. As a citizen I am deeply greatful.

.

HAS ANY ONE GONE TO THE
WE SITE WWW.NI4D.US?

AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?

It is a sad state of affairs when Congress cannot police itself witness what Speaker Hastert did to the GOP members of the ethics committee when he was dissatisfied with their rulings. Also when Rep Bell of Texas filed a complaint against Tom Delay, he got little support even from his own Democratic party.
I suggest a board made up of 5 to 7 retired House members who would provide oversight over not only the ethics committee but the travel and other functions of this body. Their findings would need to be binding for immediate consideration by the entire House. This board may have voted to censure Hastert or to have him dismissed from the House for his action with the ethics committee.

I think the hypocrisy that was evidenced in Capital Crimes shows the blatant disregard that these "leaders" have for the American public. It made me cringe to see them invoke the Lord's name as if to imply that Jesus would approve of what they have done and are doing. These people I think truly believe they are above the law. I knew that Tom Delay was a corrupt individual, but I didn't know just how corrupt until I watched the show. We need to hold them accountable for what they have done, but how do we do it? It's ironic that yesterday an aide to Karl Rove stepped down because of her ties to Abramoff. I'm assuming she is taking the rap for the Administration that "didn't know or associate" with Mr. Abramoff. You all are talking about using our vote to make a difference, but don't you all think since there seems to be a lack of ethics in Washington and that a man name Diebold, who is a contributor to and supporter of these people and who also produces all the electronic voting machines, is involved that our vote will actually "count"? These mach