Après le Déluge “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.” —Congressman John Shimkus quoting God at a 2009 Congressional hearing The criminal charges former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay faces in an Austin courtroom are straightforward. Since 1905, it has been […]

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An Incentive to Buy High—If the General Services Administration is the government’s “Office Depot Catalog,” as attorney Victor Kubli describes it on page 1 of this issue, the Industrial Funding Fee is an enticement for vendors listed in the catalog to gouge the government. The fee funds the agency, which receives no appropriation to operate. […]

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Military-Industrial Complicity “At the end of the day, what does this represent to the taxpayer? … A net loss. This is a contractors’ private club. … This is about them taking care of themselves.” —A National Guard source speaking anonymously “Their solution was to make it up,” Victor Kubli said. “That’s right, make it up.” […]

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Wild About Harry—Free to air attack ads without identifying who paid for them, independent groups are on track to spend a record $500 million in the 2010 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In Nevada, groups have spent $4.2 million to defeat Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, including $1 million from […]

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The Floodgates Open“When the Citizens United decision was handed down, it was the most partisan decision since Bush versus Gore. … And I’m just concerned that this case is going to open the floodgate for corporate spending.” —Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, March 10, 2010 IN FEBRUARY 2008 DAVID BOSSIE TOLD ME he would prevail in a lawsuit […]

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