Interesting CNN Poll

[formercia]

http://www.cnn.com/

Will the congressional focus on ethics lead to meaningful reform?

Yes 8% 2784 votes

No 92% 33121 votes

Total: 35905 votes

[MrModerate]

1. Actually, I'm feeling optimistic about this . . .

This is one of those historical instances when legislators' feet are being held to the fire -- I don't think they have the luxury of shining this one on. Also, it's a great opportunity for dems to 1) be seen doing the right thing and 2) changing some of the rules that have held them at a disadvantage for a decade or more.

[formercia]

6. and the GOP cure will backfire on them

joe sixpack is starting to get wise to the GOP.

[pnorman]

2. Also of interest on that webpage is this:

COST OF WAR
U.S. troop casualtiesCharts: U.S. troop casualties
A tally of coalition casualties by country, race, age and gender (About midway in that page)

pnorman

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Cynicism won't help

I get sick of those who say "They're all crooks, there's nothing we can do about it," because this is enabling behavior. We should work hard to mount viable candidates who will pledge to be honest in their dealings.

[LynneSin]

4. It all depends if the republican or democratic agenda gets the nod

Democrats seem to have the plan all set with total ban on gifts.

However Republicans wrote a loophole in their plan which says if the gift is accompanied by a donation for the campaign then it's all good. Meaning - you can buy me a fancy meal, send me on a really upscale trip but I can't take it. But if somehow a campaign contribution is wrapped around it then it's all ok!

[hwmnbn]

5. Those repugs are some......

really sneaky bastards aren't they? Like the kid in school who always wants to cheat or be on the winning team or "get over" on someone.

Man, I hate those MoFos.

[MrModerate]

7. Which is clearly silly . . .

However, I'm not sure that eliminating ALL gifts is realistic. Frankly if someone "petitioning the government" wants to give a legislator a T-shirt or ball cap -- or even take them out to dinner -- that's probably OK with me. It's the campaign contributions wrapped up with gifts, plus lobbyists as enablers of fundraising events that gets ethically murky (or maybe just plain criminal).

For that matter, I think legislators need to take educational trips (no golf included!) more than one might ordinarily say was kosher. Sometimes these are sponsored by universities or NGOs, and perhaps they should be allowed. Alternatively, highly transparent travel budgets could be increased.