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Tainted Lobbyists, Part Two: John Stephen

by: Dean Barker

Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:46:05 AM EDT


From Chaz' must read piece on Stephen and what it means to be one of Grover's drowning-gummit-in-the-bathtub pledge boys:
Former NH Republican Senator Warren Rudman has said this about Mr. Norquist:  "Americans for Tax Reform is a wonderful-sounding name. As far as I'm concerned, it's a front organization for Grover Norquist' lobbying activities."
And today's Granite Status:
Republican 1st District U.S. House candidate John Stephen will meet potential Washington-based supporters at a meet-and-greet in the nation's capital tonight.

Invitations sent by lobbyist Todd Boulanger, a former associate of Jack Abramoff, say, "Come hear first-hand why John will be the winner of the September 9 primary and go on to defeat Porter (sic)," referring to Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter.

The "small, informal gathering" will be held at Shelly's Back Room, which calls itself "A Civilized Cigar Parlor."

Does Grover and Stephen not know that the intertubes never forget?
About once a month since 2001, Grover Norquist has invited a top Bush administration official or a Republican congressional leader to dine with him and some 20 or 30 corporate lobbyists who help subsidize Americans for Tax Reform, the anti-tax group that Norquist heads.

The dinners at Norquist's Washington, D.C., home aren't cheap: The lobbyists pay ATR between $10,000 and $25,000 a year for the privilege of attending several of the intimate get-togethers, which have featured the likes of White House political guru Karl Rove and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, according to several lobbyists who have attended.

From time to time over the years, the K Street crowd has been joined at the dinners by other ATR supporters, including the leaders of some casino-owning Indian tribes who were top clients of one of Norquist's oldest friends, former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Representatives of the Saginaw Chippewas of Michigan, the Louisiana Coushattas, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians were among those who either attended or helped to finance some of the Norquist-hosted soirees that were advertised as tax policy events. Moreover, some of these same tribal representatives also attended brief meetings at the White House with President Bush that Norquist has organized annually since 2001 for dozens of state legislators who have pushed anti-tax measures or signed anti-tax pledges.

Dean Barker :: Tainted Lobbyists, Part Two: John Stephen
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Grover Norquist (0.00 / 0)
Um and what don't you like about the government not stealing more of our money? You Democrats are devoid of a sense of morality when it comes to robbing the public blind. Something that is 100% good and you make something bad out of it.

John Stephen is a wonderful advocate for the people and a better man than most.

Yeah, Grover is a devil! He wants you to keep more of your own money! Wow, really bad.. LOL


Advocacy is not part of the job description of Congress. (0.00 / 0)
Agency is.

Be that as it may, "better man than most," suggests a rather low regard for mankind and damning Stephen with faint praise is not likely to get him a lot of votes.

Moreover, while the Bush/Cheney gang is guilty of "robbing the public blind," the solution is not to melt down the bullion and pour it back into the vein.  Rather, the solution is to arrest the crooks and put them behind bars.

"Corruption," in case you're wondering, is to use an asset or resource for a purpose other than what was intended.  Using funds that were appropriate for Afghanistan to start the invasion of Iraq is a good example.


[ Parent ]
Umm... (0.00 / 0)
devoid of a sense of morality when it comes to robbing the public blind

Are you referring to Grover's good buddy Jack Abramhoff when he ripped off millions from Native Americans, and went to jail for it?

If Stephen wants to be associated with people who a) don't believe that government should exist, yet still draw a salary from it, and b) are tight with the corrupt, that's his choice to make.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker


[ Parent ]
Considered in light of the Republican definition of government-- (0.00 / 0)
the entity that doles out rewards to supporters and punishes those who object, so-called tax cuts are nothing more than bribes to get votes.
Since it's MY government and MY money that's being doled out to people unwilling to pay their fair share, this agenda should be a non-starter.  That it isn't suggests that there are a lot of people who care little for money and even less for their government.

How's this for a slogan?

If You Don't Care About Money, Vote John Stephen.



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