Why is it that Republicans always water down the accountability portions of these bills?

It's their commitment to smaller government.

"There goes the Conservative Value"

The bill passed in the House 417 - 2 and you want to start calling republicans names? Even the Independent Senator says that the one part needs to be studied further. The left wants bi-partisanship, you give them bi-partisanship and they still are not happy. I can't wait until we finish the shellacking next election. The progressive/liberals are overstepping their authority everyday and they neeed to be sent home soon.

Here we go again, same old story.....House passes BIPARTISAN legislation, it goes to the Senate where it is stalled because it will stay in "conference" to get it "fixed", or it will gather dust on Mr. Party of NO Reid's desk.

Wait a minute......Mr. Obama says "Send it to me NOW and I will sign it."

So where is the problem ? THE DAD GUM DEMOCRATIC SENATE. /sarcasm

"Maybe the GOP Tea-Retards can get their house back in order now" - with this bill being pass. Its time for the Teapugs to get their hands out of the Cookie jar.

The problem with the Senate is all the loopholes the GOP Teapugs left in the Bill. This Bill will not stop guys like Newt. ( "1.6 Million" )

Patriotic- I understand that it's a no-no to call names here, but wow is that a stupid statement. You are saying that the group last voted into Congress is the one to blame for Congress' insider trading issues?? The rampant overspending of our taxdollars?? The lack of a budget in almost 3 years??

Now here's my comment:

Notice that it said that House passed "it's" version. That is- there will be another from the Senate, then arguing about how much they can continue (make some loopholes) and a compromise will be passed.

My prediction- It'll take a while to get it passed and then it will take a while to get implimented. Just guess why.....

House GOP leaders had succumbed to pressure from lobbyists and information gatherers on K Street

Wimp out on the American people again, and again, and again.

The senate passed their version, which is stricter than the house version.

So the party of "yes" to insider trading is the Republican party.

The House vote was 417-2...that sounds like bipartisan support to me. Yes, the House version doesn't include a potentially important provision that is in the Senate bill, but the 2 versions will now be sorted out. Even a senate sponsor said the omitted provision may be problematic and needs to be reviewed.

Can people please take off their partisan glasses for a couple minutes and be glad something positive was done? It's not perfect, but it's a start - and far better than we were a few months ago.

Corporate GOP members watering it down so they can have loopholes to continue their insider trading. I know there are those who will state, the Dems have done it but the Dems are the party who are trying to stop it but still the corporate puppets through up road blocks. What is it going to take for the right wing supporters to realize their party is against any and all things that benefit the 99%.

Reality--

The important members of the House and Senate have their investments in a blind trust. The challenge here is that there are a couple spouses who are investors. Pillow talk is not covered.

Winker,

Did you read the article? Even Lieberman, who was instrumental in getting this through the Senate, said the provision was problematic and needs further review. Also, the bills now to through a reconciliation process.

I think you need to stop being blinded by party hatred.

This bill is a good way of getting rid of trash like Newt, But Getmerich is looking at the loopholes ????????????????????

So typical of the Republicans for watering down much needed Bills.

The general election is coming, real soon.

Instead of whinging here, we need to turn out in November & expel ALL these corrupt philandering SOB's and put shiny new ones in that we keep until they become tarnished.

It is the only power we, as citizens have, as you can be damn sure they're not going to listen any other time.

Well if the Grassley amendment is 'problematical' dream up a better one. Unless, of course, problematical simply means enforcement teeth that Congress crooks from BOTH parties want to dispense with and leave it all to trust. Wasn't it that Alzheimer's patient who said, "Trust but verify"?

Why does the article not make mention that the House version also contains words stating that IPO offerings are to be included, thus strengthening the house bill against IPOs and legislation (Pelosi and her IPO buys on Mastercard whens he directed CC legislation). Also why dose the article not mention that even Harry Reid was against the "Political Intelligence" designation until after a GAO study on the unintentional effects which would require various industry people (Doctors who were consulted during the Health Insurance legislation) to register needlessly?

Why is MSNBC inserting commentary in a news article first and foremost? The House version is different, true. But the House version is stronger in some areas and less so in others.

I guess all that will be left for the people on K Street is to be "historians" of Congressional activities.

The hypocrisy coming out of Washington DC is ridiculous.

Ido, the Senate passed a bill FIRST, with a GOP amendment that is the one the House GOP objected to and watered down in THEIR version. It now goes to CONFERENCE to settle the difference between the two bills. That is how legislation works. It is interesting that Lieberman objects to Grassley's amendment that would require these secretive K Street groups to register the same as a lobbyist. I wonder how much they are into his pocket with huge contributions. The ONLY bill that should be coming out of Congress is a TOTAL BAN on any type of insider trader information, whether within the government, outside of government, or co-opted between the two.

Here is my proposal:

This bill shall ban ALL FORMS of insider trading by any and all citizens of the US and any foreigners doing business within the United States. It shall be a criminal offense of the First Degree to violate this law. It also bans all forms of lobbying and political information gathering of Congress and any federal agency.

What I don't understand is how registering as a political advisor, lobbyist or anything else (other than a Republican) would be considered to be a bad thing.

A registered lobbyist can still do lobbying, but they are prohibited from having an active role in political campaigns. A person has to decide what they want, the money from corporations or the money from taxpayers.

There are 242 Republicans compared to 192 Democrats, in which all 242 Republicans vote lock-in-step, in this case "the bill which was drafted by House GOP leaders." If there is any objection, it comes from the Democratic side of the aisle, no matter how large or small:

Rep. Louise Slaughter, D- N.Y., who has been advocating her own congressional insider trading ban for years, told the House Thursday that House GOP leaders had succumbed to pressure from lobbyists and information gatherers on K Street, center of Washington's lobbying industry, to remove the Grassley amendment from the bill.

Maybe further study is needed (to avoid unintended consequences), however Republicans have become synonymous with "Wall Street." The real joke is the idea of "policing" themselves. I'm surprised they haven't give themselves a raise while they're at it.

True Patroit - 417 House members voted for the bill. Maybe some were Democrats? Why didn't Ms. Slaughter mention that 175 of her members succumbed to the pressure also?

PatrioticAmerican....would you mind publishing a list of the Democrats that voted with the Republican TeaTards on this? Thanks in advance.

Patriotic American U.S.A. - Please now you will have to include Nancy Pelosi in your attacks. Lets start listing all your Democratic friends that have abused this too.

Patriotic American U.S.A.

"There goes the Conservative Value"

They had one left?

only 10% favor them? What the heck do they care. You idiots keep reelecting them. You get what you ask for.

Democrats and republicans appear to be guilty of it and its a crime, why were they ever exempt from it in the first place?

Jan: Easy. They pass the laws.

"Its time to water down the Teapugs Moonshine, their not walking a straight line. We need a Bill with "NO" Loopholes.

Patriotic American U.S.A.:

I don't believe ANY politician should be able to pass laws that regulate them and theirs. These laws should be passed by the American public.

Jan, Remove the first two words from your post and than l will agree with you ?

Donna, I have no problem with Nancy Pelosi, shes good people and a honor to this Country. Take your hate to "Lake Vostok" and cool off. Your love-Skip.

I don't believe ANY politician should be able to pass laws that regulate them and theirs. These laws should be passed by the American public. -Dgibb

I have tried to fathom a way to keep our structured 'lawmaking', with voting intact. But at some point people want and need self representation, and our voice.

We battle on the blogs instead, instead of developing a branch of government comprised of the citizenry. One that states collectively that price hiking, gouging of consumers, loop holing privileged few, sacrificing million's well being is not acceptable.

I'm afraid that 535 people just isn't enough. They must feel like targets, so few people ruining so many lives. Let us distribute this to hundreds more people, so the targets get smaller. Hopefully we will then not feel like we have to be afraid of some big oil company with friends in all the right places might come after us one day. Because I would gladly ruin their lives, given half the chance.

Here's what I propose. We assign 1 citizen to each rep/sen for a one week period. For that week, this citizen agrees to provide for their own, ie; volunteer their time working for the common good of others. Lawmakers must have support of their citizenry staff to pass legislature.

There, now when some larger corporate interests want to 'buy in' to politics, they are meeting a wall, an impossible battle to win the minds of random citizens.

As well, every living breathing US citizen can volunteer and randomly be chosen to work for the common good of others. They can have voice when it comes to giving away rights, and they can understand better when doing so could be overall 'best interest'.

27820 people per year would help them understand that WE THE PEOPLE are who they represent. Not themselves. Not the almighty dollar.

Altruist Branch. A peaceful way to end corruption.

Sen. Charles Grassley, seen here in a file photo, said Wednesday it was "astonishing and extremely disappointing that the House would fulfill Wall Street's wishes ..."

The vote was 417 - 2, Senator "Grassley".

I suppose you are HIGHLY astonished and disappointed that the MAJORITY of your FELLOW Democrats~Liberals~Progressives in the House voted FOR this legislation. Where are your comments on these folks ?

@ LDO -

Did you read the article you are commenting about? A few things to help you out because from your comments you didn't read the article.

1 - .....House passes BIPARTISAN legislation, it goes to the Senate where it is stalled because it will stay in "conference" to get it "fixed", or it will gather dust on Mr. Party of NO Reid's desk.

The Senate passed their bill FIRST then the House passed theirs with amendments to the Senate’s. It also passed the Senate 98-2 as well.

2 - The vote was 417 - 2, Senator "Grassley". I suppose you are HIGHLY astonished and disappointed that the MAJORITY of your FELLOW Democrats~Liberals~Progressives in the House voted FOR this legislation. Where are your comments on these folks ?

Senator Grassley is a REPUBLICAN from Iowa, NOT a Democrat and he is disappointed that the house republicans would take out the provision that would keep information gatherers from registering like lobbyist do.

Now that you are clued in on what the article is about, how bout a well informed response?

What a surprise to learn there are 417 republicans in the house and only 2 democrats. Must be however, since so many are bashing the republicans for caving and surely no democrat would support a bill as such.

What a bunch of idiots who blindly support one side of the isle or the other. As if anything congress passes to legislate itself will ever do so. The only reason they would need a conference committee for this legislation is to hammer out the size of the loopholes.

This will pass, they will tout it as a great achievement, and then it will be business as usual. They will go back to pretending to care for and serving the best interests of the American people, and the idiots that support them will cheer. But make no mistake, Washington is all about crony capitalism for those politically connected, and socialism for everyone else.

Waiting....waiting....waiting.....

Maybe Mr. Obama can announce TODAY that he is going to sign this "legislation".

Ron-1861300

The House vote was 417-2...that sounds like bipartisan support to me.

The bill was put together by the House leadership (Republicans), was put to a vote without allowing comments or changes (as decided by Republicans), and was put out in a way that would be political suicide to vote against it... OF COURSE the vote was almost unanimously "Yes"!!...

bipartisanship at it's finest! /sarcasm...

@ True Patriot #1.23: Hasn't a thing to do with unintended consequences. Tea party republicans will only latch the "cat door" when they are satisfied they retain an open "rat hole". Regards

By the time the law takes affect it will be more watered down then a Texas wildfire.

Most people knew nothing about this long lived PERK!

They are giving up nothing. Something else has replaced the insider trading. We just have not seen it yet.

This is such BS.

THEY ARE GIVING UP INSIDER TRADING? Oh the sacrifice!

Wait Wait a minute? They had to pass a law stating they had to follow the law? Am i missing something here? Was there a law that says laws apply to the people and not public officials?

Please please explain this to me.

Agreed, they are trying to look tough on corruption when they really hide the devil in the details.

Just water it down Cantor. I hope all you ass-hats get voted out of office. Congress is a tool for Corporate greed and if the only way to remove these thieves is a march on Washington with pitch forks so be it.

Newt said this is one giant leap for mankind, was he talking about the moon or the loopholes in this bill.

If you want to replace Eric Cantor, like I do, then vote for Wayne Powell (D-VA) or donate to him. We the People decide who's in office.
PowellForVA

Hypothetical question (so NSA people monitoring this thread, relax...) -

The US government is supposedly of the people, by the people, for the people. So, if millions of US citizens marched on Washington with pitch forks (or the arms they are constitutionally allowed to bear), what would happen? Would the police step in? Would the military be called in to protect Washington from the uprising? Granted, there are means of recourse for political grievences, but if enough people felt like the system wasn't working, would "the people" really have the ability to take "their" government back? Or would the US government step into a role similar to that of England in 1776?

Actually, I think the events of the Civil War shed some light on that. Not that slavery was a noble cause, but when "the people" of the South said they didn't want to be part of the United States anymore, Washington didn't take very kindly to the idea and a war was started. If there were a violent march on Washington, I doubt it would be any different today.

Of course, people are so idealogically divided right now that if the US government were ever overthrown by its own people, the rebels would NEVER be able to agree on what sort of government should replace it. It would be like the sectarian conflicts in Iraq, except it would be liberals vs. conservatives vs. ultra-conservative Christians vs. 20 other factions.

Newt said this is one giant leap for mankind, was he talking about the moon or the loopholes in this bill.

Newt doesn't know sh*t about leaps.

I doubt that chunker could jump a foot in the air.

I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Roll Tide!) and it is well-known here that Sen. Richard "Big Dick" Shelby owns an office building downtown. It is also well-known that Shelby has caused more that $150 million to be spent on properties immediately contiguous to that office building, dramatically increasing its value.

The bottom line is that Sen Shelby has spent over $150 million of taxpayer money in otder to put about $1.5 million in his own pocket.

It is also well-known that Shelby and the Governors and Senators of Mississippi and Alabama have extended promises of over $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to the Chinese Communist government to build two auto plants --- one south of Memphis in Mississippi and one north of Mobile in Alabama. Following the same model as Mercedes and Honda, this will cost the taxpayers a huge amount of money.

As one example only, Shelby was instrumental in getting the Mercedes plant put near Birmingham in Alabama. But much of Shelby's power base is in Birmingham. So what to do? The cartel forced the City of Tuscaloosa to annex a narrow strip of land along I-20/59 for the 11 miles between Tuscaloosa and a three-mile circle around the plant. Tuscaloosa had to issue bonds to provide water, roads and other infrastructure for the plant, despite the simple fact that the plant is much closer to Birminghan and that about 80% of the jobs go to people living east of the plant. T'loosans call it "the most expensive lollipop in history."

In addition, Shelby and Sen Sessions and the past and present governors of Alabama secured promises of relaxation of EPA standards, NTSB exemptions, tax waivers, exemptions and subsidies and a strong promise of no unions to lure Mercedes there. But my taxes went up because of the plant and the need to pay for the infrastructure. Birmingham/Jefferson County did not provide a dime even though they were the primary beneficiary. Shelby was instrumental in claiming that American auto workers were averaging over $150 an hour while Mercedes employees would Honda employees only averaged $54 an hour. In fact the UAW workers he was citing were making only about $46 an hour. (Shelby's numbers averaged in retired workers pension and benefits dividing it among active employees --- a less than subtle lie.)

But in all this, you have to wonder how Shelby was "paid" for his services. What was the price of his selling out the Alabama taxpayer to Communist Chinese, Germans (where the leadership of Mercedes has a bizarrely high proportion of the sons of SS officers), the Japanese, and the South Koreans? There simply has to be an "insider" money motive to cause Shelby and Sessions to sell their souls to foreign governments and to compaign against the American auto industry.

But even Shelby and Sessions are currently panicking. A little noted effect of Alabama's new immigration law is screwing them to the wall. Both senators had a hand in crafting Alabama's immigration law and inserting into it requirements for proof of legal residency that are seldom even possible. They intended just to do some populist pandering. Instead, two high profile arrests of a visiting Japanese Honda executive and a high-ranking German Mercedes executive. In both cases, the two executives only had on their person those documents that ICE requires. They both got to spend a night in jail and enjoy Alabama's wonderful penal baloney sandwiches with cherry kool-aid. Chinese officials have stated that they are "reconsidering" their committment to build the Alabama auto plant, citing a "hostile environment for its executives." The Chinese are very displeased that its "subsidies" for Senators appear to yield less results than they anticipated. In other words, they expect "owned" senators to show some initiative and repay their "benefactors" in matters such as this. In other words, when they bribe a senator, they expect him to stay bribed.

Its guys like Shelby that's destroying our Country, Wake up America ???

Chris - First of all, "Roll Dang Tide!" I see your near daily loooong posts and question some of their content. Like today, for example. You say, "It is also well-known that Shelby and the Governors and Senators of Mississippi and Alabama have extended promises of over $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to the Chinese Communist government to build two auto plants."

Where do you come up with the $1 billion figure? Is this money out of the taxpayers pockets - in that they are literally PAYING $1 billion dollars, or is it due to tax deferments / abatements? While these tax breaks leave money out of coffers, they are not "billed" to the taxpayer, they do not cover anything close to actual payments for existing tax laws that can't be avoided, and the entire region is much more financially well-off due to the great paying jobs created. Those great jobs are paying a very good wage, so the positive affects begin to mount against the negative impacts of abatement's. I could be wrong here, so please help me out if I am wrong...

Either way, do you argue the Mercedes plant hasn't been perhaps the best industrial project in the region for more decades that anyone wants to remember? If not the best, at least in the top few...

I visited the Birmingham / Tuscaloosa area multiple times after the tornado last year, assisting in the cleanup. LOTS of Mercedes vehicles on the roads. Looks like MANY of your neighbors don't necessarily agree that they have been raped and pillaged...

One of the main problems with people of earth these days. Only thinking of what is good for them, to hell with ANYONE else. I see it in personal, business, political, and religious thinkings all the time.

Real Life -- unless you are referring to some obscure fact having to do with supplies, the Civil War is generally considered to have started at Ft Sumter, South Carolina.

Real Life,

You're sort of on the right track, but just slightly off. Yes, the South started the War by firing on and taking Fort Sumter, which is in South Carolina, not Virginia. The immediate trigger for secession was the election of Lincoln, who was assumed by the Southern power establishment to try to end slavery. The broader context was the fear by the South that as territories became states, there would be a power shift against them in Congress unless those new states were also slaveholding. As far as a march on Washington, it's been done (remember Martin Luther King?) and it can be done again with great effect. Americans shouldn't need pitchforks or guns however; we are armed with our votes.

Newt said the loopholes in this bill is a family affair, Gingrich can wash off his sin with a Bath. 1.6 Million loops in the tub.

Nothing has changed, it's about time we tar and feather these turkeys and send them packing. Especially the GOP, they have ALL GOT TO GO!!!

How about any member of congress can't invest or all their money is put in a 401K like the average American? (it's supposed to be an honor to be elected, not an investment opportunity.)

How about a law fining politicians when they lie?

How about term limits?

How about a campaign donations limit? Say 100 dollars per person, with today's media, do they really need to advertise?

Citizens United also has to GO, by 2016 election or we threaten revolution.

Are we completely helpless here?

HELP, our country has been taken hostage by corporations!!!

CAL USA,

Martin Luthr King marched on Washington, but he also came with a message of peaceful protest. OTOH, what if a hundred-thousand angry Black Panthers armed to the teeth had marched on Washington? Different story. The National Guard would have been on that like lickety split.

As far as being armed with a vote - a theoretical uprising on this scale wouldn't take place unless the people felt like the political process was so corrupt that their vote didnt count anymore. While a lot of people have lost faith in the system, I don't think there is that much anger yet.

"Most important"?!? The most important provision of the bill is stopping elected officials and high ranking government officials from making money off of non-public information and legal acts that they do as part of their jobs, e.g. routing a new highway through land that you own, thereby increasing your wealth. The provision dropped creates a new bureaucracy to regulate people who are making money simply by finding out what new rules and laws the government is enacting. Since no hearings were held or public input taken there is a really good reason not to include the dropped provision. Since the Republicans are in charge, Nancy Pelosi's policy of "we'll have to pass the bill to see what's in it" no longer applies.

Cygnus,

I am betting inspite of the bill I believe the Obama administration can expand the financial disclosure requirements beyond congressional limits for executive offices. Have a friend who worked on the contract to automate the Federal Financial disclosure form which requires most federal executives to file one annually I think. Tried to post a link to the form and requirements but, MSNBC wont let me.

Follow the paper trail...just like they did when they nailed Tricky Dick Nixon in '73!

That would be great to see Reid and Pelosi doing 5 years in a fed prison

Common Man-3493893 said:

How will this bill stop Piglosi from feeding her husband insider information so he profit from it?

It won't. Unfortunately for the Republicans they can't pass a bill that affects only Democrats. They passed this one so they could remain the corrupted cheats they are, but much to their chagrin it also allows any Democrats so inclined to remain cheats as well.

The world just isn't fair is it? Republicans should be able to cheat as much as they want but still lambast Dems for doing the same thing. Being a hypocrite is the American way after all; at least in the minds of Republicans.

appalachian, I only mentioned piglosi as she is the poster child for using insider information scams. I beleive the bill should apply to all government employees federal, state and local. Being in the government is like winning the lottery. The higher the position the bigger the jackpot.

Common,

"I only mentioned piglosi as she is the poster child for using insider information scams."

Maybe we just need to make more posters

Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL)

House Minority Leader John Boehner

Former Illinois Congressman Dennis Hastert (Now a Washington lobbiest)

New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg

All accused of insider trading.

And don't forget these guys-

DALLAS — Sam and Charles Wyly, Dallas billionaire investors known for their support of conservative candidates and causes, made $550 million in undisclosed profits through 13 years of insider trading, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit filed Thursday.

"How will this bill stop Piglosi from feeding her husband insider information so he profit from it?"

Don't limit your gripes to Piglosi. Eric Cantor blocked a similar bill in the past. The fact is everyone -- regardless of party -- has abused the situation.

@vwterry,

You also have to remember people like Trent Lott who resigned from the Senate so that he would not fall under the legal mandate that forbids a retiring civil service or elected federal employee from going directly from a government position to being a lobbyist. Hiring people for huge speaking fees, giving them high-paying retirement jobs, and picking up the tabs for various expenses are but a few of the ways "insiders" get rich in Congress.

Very frequently it not so much that Congressmen are passing laws that benefit them directly, but who are "rewarded" by being allowed to participate along with the investors. A good example is the Keystone XL pipeline. At least 16 prominent Congressmen have purchased or have options on, land that would be traversed by the pipeline. They stand to make huge amounts of money if the pipeline goes through on its current route, and to lose money if it is not built or follows a different route.

I think that's what annoys me the about the repugs, in and out of congress. They are very quick to point out the flaws of the democrats, while ignoring the crimes committed by the right. That's why I don't trust them, and really want nothing to do with them. If Pelosi is guilty, then she should come under the gun just like the rest. Therein lies the difference between the right and the left. The left will admit their failings, and call their members out for it. If Pelosi is guilty, I want her out. But, all we get from the right is finger pointing and blame. I'm at the point where I don't want to even engage in discussions with them anymore. I have really had it, and I don't believe they have a real interest in compromise. It's their way or the highway (except for your tax money - they'll take that with no concern that it's from a democrat -- and your children, too -- there is no difference between right and left when it comes to bodies to fight their for-profit wars).

"That would be great to see Reid and Pelosi doing 5 years in a fed prison"

Yeah, right after Bush baby, Cheney, Rumsfield, Wolfowitz and the rest of the criminals from the last admin are sent to the Hague for crimes against humanity.

kat-1015719
Here, let me help you out with this....

I think that's what annoys me the about the decrats, in and out of congress. They are very quick to point out the flaws of the republicans, while ignoring the crimes committed by the left. That's why I don't trust them, and really want nothing to do with them. If Boehner is guilty, then he should come under the gun just like the rest. Therein lies the difference between the left and the right. The right will admit their failings, and call their members out for it. If Boehner is guilty, I want him out. But, all we get from the left is finger pointing and blame. I'm at the point where I don't want to even engage in discussions with them anymore. I have really had it, and I don't believe they have a real interest in compromise. It's their way or the highway (except for your tax money - they'll take that with no concern that it's from a republican -- and your children, too -- there is no difference between left and right when it comes to bodies to fight their for-profit wars).

The truth of the matter you can slant the issue either right or left, it doesn't matter except to reveal your own political bigotry.

It won't. Those parasites got the power (and the money that goes with it) by being one step ahead of the law.

Nothing will change.

Am I missing the picture here? Didn't it say it was EXECUTIVE BRANCH officials? Congress is in the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH! Also, it didn't say WHO those people were! Could well be "much ado about nothing"!

The ONLY way this could help Republicans is IF it went to upper level employees, like the President or Cabinet members AND the Republicans got the Presidency. These people are in the EXECUTIVE BRANCH!

So much for understanding the pecking order of the Branches of Government. Let's find out WHO these people are who would be exempt before going off the deep end!

The bill, with all of its "required BS" should be a ONE PAGE, ONE PARAGRAPH (if not a single sentence) document as below:

NO PUBLIC EMPLOYEE, or ANYONE ELSE shall engage in insider trading, PERIOD!

It could be followed up the the penalty stuff, but the above is all that the RESTRICTIONS need to say! It might be clarified to point out that "Pillow Talk" is covered by this restriction for the sake of Lawyers who want to shield Nancy Pelosi's husband (as an EXAMPLE).

Why isn't this article telling US who these exempted people are? I guess so we can get into Class (think, Party) warfare again and again...

Read the article. The House Republicans already pulled the teeth out of it. They don't want their gravy train to end, they just want to look good for the uneducated fools who do not understand just how badly they watered down the Senate version. Reducing the number of people affected from 360,000 to 28,000? Please. How much do you want to bet those 28,000 positions are mostly Dem held?

appalachian,

The House version reduced the 360,000 by 28,000...it didn't bring the total number affected down to 28,000. The House Republicans did remove, what looks like an important condition, but the bill now goes through the regular reconciliation process and the Senate is free to add this back in. Also, even Lieberman agrees the provision is problematic and needs to be reviewed again.

Lieberman agreed that there were WMD in Iraq, agreed that billionaires pay too much in taxes at 18%, agreed that McCain would be a better president than Obama and pretty much still has the smell of George W. Bush's butt on his lips.

And it is down to 28,000 not down by 28,000.

Even Lieberman? I say of course Lieberman. His wife is one of the most prominent lobbyists in D.C., and a primary source of his actions to prevent a public option with ACA. He's as cozy with lobbyists as anyone in Congress, and I'm so glad he's retiring after this year! I think the only decent thing he's done in the past 6 years was his work on getting DADT repealed. His primary goal has been taking revenge on Democrats who didn't support him in the 2006 election.

The article doesn't state that the 360,000 is reduced by 28,000 to 332,000 but that it is reduced to that number.

WisePati, the kind that very well know they can grow rich if they keep their office long enough.

Note: This is just one more reason for term limits: Two terms and you're out!

2 terms? Just make everything one 6 year term.

Too many Congressmen spend twenty years smoozing with one another while attending Big Business parties where they smooze with CEO's, then retire and go to work for one or more of those Fortune 500 operations and end up earning themselves seven figure incomes! Cutting down that smooze time cuts the time which allows those ties to strengthen and makes them much less interesting to Big Business!

Pati, I think the problem is that what some Congressmen did is ethically wrong but not illegal. Not yet. They've been exempt from the usual rules governing insider trading.

The reasoning they use to justify their actions is similar to Mitt Romney's when his assets in the Cayman Islands and Switzerland were still in the news. It was within the law, and it was his intention to pay every dollar of taxes he owed -- "and not one penny more."

There are two mildly surprising developments in this affair. One is that anyone in congress is willing to do anything at all about depriving themselves of benefits. The second is that Eric Cantor, who has been presenting himself as a representative of the Tea Party movement, is a fraud who is just as self interested as any of those we want to throw out of office.

Terms and term limits? Nah, simply elect them to office then once per year the entire country gets to vote one of three ways on each elected official, Stay another year, go home you are worthless, execute the traitor!

daryl-2183015:

That might be a GOOD IDEA but we can't get a reasonable MAJORITY of citizens (legal or not) to turn out to vote in the election years we have.

The other problem is: A huge portion with, say 75-80%, a majority of that size are TOTALLY uninformed and vote along party lines because SOMEONE told them that is the way! That includes BOTH parties.

The last Presidential election is a glaring example with the turnout we did manage to get! My family is a prime example: We are six voting age, registered voters. I will be the ONLY one who is an Independent and the rest are "BIG D lever" voters if they bother to vote at all!

I do the bulk of my research AFTER the "Preliminary Ballot" comes out and what and who is being voted on is published. Until then you can form "ideas" but it is stupid to make a decision based on "the News"...

Wouldn't it be interesting if every VOTE had a multiple choice question attached. There could be 2 or 3 right answers and at least 2 or 3 that indicated you had no clue what you were voting for. Fail that and "that" vote isn't counted.

Exxon Mobil should be owned and operated by the Government.

Corporations having control of the very thing our entire economy depends on is stupid beyond belief.

Even in the recession and record gas prices, they can post record profits. It sickens me.

Sports, take a look at what this admin and the EPA are doing and you will find the culprit. Gas is expected to reach $5.00 a gal by Nov of this year. This would be a good issue for Obama to run on. Obama: See? Because of me, we are all paying higher gas prices. But my work is not yet done. You have to give me another 4 years and then I can get these gas prices up to around $8.00 or maybe even $10.00 a gal, so Voter for me. I am committed to making sure America is NEVER drills for our own oil and we will always buy our oil from countries that hate us. Lean Forword America and lets bring our economy down for the sake of the world.

Sonmanvb:

We do drill for our own oil. It's just more profitable for the oil companies to export it.

That's sort of the problem right there: profit. Making a profit off of the very thing our economy needs to run is bull.

"Sports, take a look at what this admin and the EPA are doing and you will find the culprit."

That's total BS. Domestic oil production is at an all time high. The US is even exporting gasoline. This is speculation and nothing more.

Do what they did before. Open the reserves worldwide and flood the market. Make the speculators loose a bunch of money and they won't be there for long. The price will go down..

Only problem.

They know as soon as reserves dry up, they're free to continue with no more reserves to stop them.

And now we're out of reserves should a "real" problem arise.

Crude oil is priced in dollars.
The dollar is losing it's value,therefore more dollars are needed to purchase it
"Under my plan energy prices will necessarily sky rocket".
One of the few campaign promises he has kept.

Only 3/4?

Pelosi needs to resign.

Sports -- it wasn't just Pelosi who made money from insider trading -- it was just about everybody in congress-- both Democrats and Republicans. Eric Cantor and John Boehner have made millions at it.

Sporty,

Why single out Ms. Pelosi? Is it okay for anyone but her to take advantage of the existing and admittedly bad circumstances that have allowed this action? Please see post #5.5 for some others who played by the same rules that you fail to call out.

Let me interject: It ONLY exempts certain EXECUTIVE BRANCH employees. You know, the President's "Play-PEN"! Congress is in the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, last time I heard!

Thats why we need to repeal the 17th amendment and put in term limits. We are no longer a citizen run country but instead a Politician ran country. We need to get back to the people running the country. We the people should be defining our government and not the government defining us.

sonmanvb: That is the least intelligent statement I have ever read.

We need to repeal the 17th amendment in order to let the people run the country rather than political machines? Seriously? Do you have any clue what the 17th amendment does? Let's start off with it has nothing to do with term limits.

Perhaps if you investigated fact instead of reading FOX/GOP/TP talking points you might realize the only way to get the people in control of the federal government is to do away with the electoral college?

"But how is Pelosi supposed to live on just her congressional salary???"

How about Boehner, Cantor and ALL of them supposed to live on their congressional salary? It you dittoheads think it was only Nancy and her fellow Democrats who were doing this, you've even stupider than I thought you were.

They are stupider than you thought they were. But this is understandable. Technically I believe it isn't possible for human life to survive when intelligence drops to the point they vote teabagger.

LOL - look at all of you posting comments. Blaming each other! This one did it - so it is ok for this one to do it. Please! What a bunch of babies.

BTW - Where is the BUDGET that the Senate will NOT PASS?????

Ethics and Politics have no place being in the same sentence together! Unless it's to say Politicians lack Ethics ;)