They Sold Us Out For F%*#@ing PENNIES??

Dannebrog yesterday and Libby Shaw today have tried, with little success, to get attention on the travesty that is the House vote on FISA and the excellent work done by MapLight. I have no illusions that I'll be much more successful but that's no excuse for not trying...

Since telecom immunity was rejected by the House in March 94 Democrats changed their votes to allow it to pass on the 20th. What do those vote-switchers have in common?? Telecom PAC money.

House Members who changed their votes received an average of $8,359 from telecom PACs while those who didn't averaged $4,987. Steny Hoyer got $29,000 since 2005, Nancy Pelosi $24,500, Rahm Emmanuel $28,000.

So, what's our Constitution worth?? To these assholes, a few hundred thousand dollars, apparently.

This is a short Diary, so let me close on a hopeful note: On the list of those bought by the telecoms there are a few who have accepted exactly $0.

Baird, Brian- Wa-3

Berry, Robert- Ar-1

Marshall, James- Ga-8

Peterson, Collin- Mn-7

Richardson, Laura- Ca-37

Ruppersberger, C.A.- Md-2

Sestak, Joe- Pa-7

Snyder, Victor- Ar-2

Taylor, Gene- Ms-4

Udall, Mark- Co-2

Yarmuth, John- Ky-3

There may be nefarious reasons why these Members have no contributions from the telecoms, or they may be too new to have mounted the gravy train, but with Barack Obama selling us out after promising not to I'm gonna take what little I can where I find it and assume these Members are on the side of the angels. Thanks guys (and Ms Richardson)!!