Author Topic: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real  (Read 1313 times)

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Offline EasyAce

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Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« on: September 14, 2018, 05:12:40 am »
By Hank Berrien
https://www.dailywire.com/news/35849/sasse-wants-drain-swamp-real-hank-berrien

Quote
On Thursday, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) introduced five ethics reform bills that he felt would actually "drain the swamp" in Washington ,D.C. Sasse explained, "Everybody talks about draining the swamp but nobody actually does it. Both parties talk a big game on the campaign trail, but then look the other way as soon they get a taste of power. These bills are going chafe both parties and, frankly, that’s the only way this gets done.”

Sasse's legislation would:

1. Prohibit cabinet members and their immediate family from soliciting donations from foreign sources . . .

2. Require that presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ tax returns are disclosed . . .

3. Create a public database of congressional HR settlements, make disclosure quicker, and increase personal financial liability for members of Congress . . .

4. Prohibit members of Congress from buying or selling stocks during their time in office . . .

5. Institute a lifetime ban on members of Congress making money lobbying . . .
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From a concurrent op-ed by Sasse published in USA Today today, in which he wrote of the thinking behind the five bills:

Quote
Naturally, Democrats are wagging their fingers and decrying Washington’s "culture of corruption." But these are the same Democrats who said nothing while Hillary Clinton used her position as Secretary of State to enrich herself and her family. In fact, they didn't just look the other way — they went ahead made her their nominee for president.

So, for those keeping score at home, here’s the sad state of things: The folks who in 2016 didn't care about draining the swamp are clamoring about it now, while the folks who promised to drain the swamp have conveniently forgotten about it. This always happens. Everyone talks about draining the swamp, but nobody does it . . .

. . . One principle of our small-r republican government is that we have citizen-representatives, not a permanent class of political elites. But in Washington today, we have a legislator-to-lobbyist pipeline, and that’s cutting out the input of constituents and others who can’t, or refuse to, pay to play. Getting elected to the U.S. Congress should be an opportunity to serve your constituents and the country, not a stepping-stone to a cushy job on K Street.

Washington, D.C., is full of officials from both parties who are more interested in protecting their positions — and growing their pocketbooks — than in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities. We don’t have statesmen and stateswomen; we have swamp creatures. My plan is going to make a lot of people in both parties angry. That’s fine by me. Frankly, that’s the only way this gets done. No more partisan finger-pointing, no more sacred cows, no more agreeing to look the other way . . .


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Offline Formerly Once-Ler

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2018, 05:37:24 am »
My first reaction is these reforms will just evolve a more clever crook, but I still have a modicum of respect for some think tanks like Cato and Heritage Foundation, and some commentators like Ben Shapiro and Hugh Hewett  I'll maybe wait and see what they say.  I don't know that the Constitution even allows #2.

Additionally there are some Trump supporters who will react negatively to anything Sasse proposes because Sasse has not been a Trump cheerleader and they fear an ethical challenge from a real conservative in 2020.  Sasse would have to seek support from rats wanting to embarrass the President Trump if Trump was against it. 

If Trump was a smart man...hard to fathom I know...He would latch on to a couple of these and get someone to think of a couple more and demand Congress "restore ethical governance."  I think Trump could do that with a straight face.

I don't think he's smart enough to make that play...but Sasse is.

Offline Chosen Daughter

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2018, 06:04:21 am »
My first reaction is these reforms will just evolve a more clever crook, but I still have a modicum of respect for some think tanks like Cato and Heritage Foundation, and some commentators like Ben Shapiro and Hugh Hewett  I'll maybe wait and see what they say.  I don't know that the Constitution even allows #2.

Additionally there are some Trump supporters who will react negatively to anything Sasse proposes because Sasse has not been a Trump cheerleader and they fear an ethical challenge from a real conservative in 2020.  Sasse would have to seek support from rats wanting to embarrass the President Trump if Trump was against it. 

If Trump was a smart man...hard to fathom I know...He would latch on to a couple of these and get someone to think of a couple more and demand Congress "restore ethical governance."  I think Trump could do that with a straight face.

I don't think he's smart enough to make that play...but Sasse is.

I don't think so.  That ship has sailed with Trump.  He was supposed to drain the swamp but instead he complains about Cohen and Manafort.  Why because they are no different than he is.  Cheat and steal.

Sasse keeps on impressing me.  And he is real, and believable.  He honestly wants to drain the swamp.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2018, 06:06:56 am by Chosen Daughter »
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Offline EasyAce

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2018, 06:07:02 am »
My first reaction is these reforms will just evolve a more clever crook, but I still have a modicum of respect for some think tanks like Cato and Heritage Foundation, and some commentators like Ben Shapiro and Hugh Hewett  I'll maybe wait and see what they say.  I don't know that the Constitution even allows #2.
Article II doesn't even mention financial disclosure one way or the other for a president or a vice president. The only mention of such things in the article are in the clause mandating the president receive compensation for his services that can't be raised or reduced during his term. I can't see any sane or sound reason why the second Sasse bill could be considered unconstitutional, though I can certainly see some people objecting to the idea and fuming that it's unconstitutional for no sound reason other than that they don't like the idea. (Just like when people fume over this or that Supreme Court ruling not because of the issue that provoked it but because the Court ruled contrary to their preferences even if the animating issue did prove to be unconstitutional.)


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Offline InHeavenThereIsNoBeer

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2018, 08:38:40 am »
Article II doesn't even mention financial disclosure one way or the other for a president or a vice president. The only mention of such things in the article are in the clause mandating the president receive compensation for his services that can't be raised or reduced during his term. I can't see any sane or sound reason why the second Sasse bill could be considered unconstitutional, though I can certainly see some people objecting to the idea and fuming that it's unconstitutional for no sound reason other than that they don't like the idea. (Just like when people fume over this or that Supreme Court ruling not because of the issue that provoked it but because the Court ruled contrary to their preferences even if the animating issue did prove to be unconstitutional.)

Article II and a couple of amendments lay out the process for choosing the POTUS, and the requirements for office.  I don't see anywhere that allows Congress to add additional requirements (outside Article V).  Therefore, IMO, if it was constitutional for them to add extra POTUS requirements to those enumerated in the Constitution, it would also be constitutional for them to grant extra powers to themselves above and beyond those enumerated in Article I (not that they don't do that ALL THE BLOODY TIME, but that doesn't make it right). 

Now, if a state wanted to add additional requirements for THEIR electors, as long as they don't circumvent those laid out in the US Constitution and don't conflict with the state's Constitution (and perhaps Article IV, Sect IV), I would say THAT would be constitutional ("Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the legistlature thereof may direct..").
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Offline Right_in_Virginia

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2018, 12:47:18 pm »
Drain the swamp?  :pondering:

Quote
On Thursday, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) introduced five ethics reform bills that he felt would actually "drain the swamp" in Washington ,D.C. Sasse explained, "Everybody talks about draining the swamp but nobody actually does it. Both parties talk a big game on the campaign trail, but then look the other way as soon they get a taste of power. These bills are going chafe both parties and, frankly, that’s the only way this gets done.”

Sasse's legislation would:

1. Prohibit cabinet members and their immediate family from soliciting donations from foreign sources . . .

2. Require that presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ tax returns are disclosed . . .

3. Create a public database of congressional HR settlements, make disclosure quicker, and increase personal financial liability for members of Congress . . .

4. Prohibit members of Congress from buying or selling stocks during their time in office . . .

5. Institute a lifetime ban on members of Congress making money lobbying . . . 

How does this impact:  Strozok, Comey, Rosenstein, Mueller, Obama, Clinton, Bush, Page, Yates, Brennan, Clapper, Kerry, the media serving as an arm of the Democats .... et al? 

Want to keep congress honest?  Pass term limits.  Want to keep foreign money out of politics, enforce the laws on the books. Want to uproot the deep state ... end security clearances concurrent with employment and appoint a second special counsel to put their asses in front of a grand jury and not behind it.

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2018, 02:26:12 pm »
Some pretty good ideas.

Offline Bigun

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2018, 03:03:06 pm »
Some pretty good ideas.

@Sanguine

Are you kidding me?  Just more grandstanding for the cameras.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2018, 03:07:49 pm »
@Sanguine

Are you kidding me?  Just more grandstanding for the cameras.

@Bigun, I won't claim to know his motivation, I'm just commenting on the ideas he put forth. 

Offline Bigun

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2018, 03:12:27 pm »
@Bigun, I won't claim to know his motivation, I'm just commenting on the ideas he put forth.

@Sanguine

And which of those do you find worthy of consideration?  In my case, it's none of them.  Every one of them can easily be sidestepped and he knows it.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Offline Concerned

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2018, 03:24:32 pm »
Some pretty good ideas.

Absolutely.  Good to see someone actually proposing something to "drain the swamp" rather than just talking about it.  I particularly like the stock one.  Too many members of Congress are benefiting from legislation they pass, and I suspect some are letting those benefits tarnish their decision-making.  I'm sure some will find loopholes to try and work around some of these, but I say, let's close those as they surface.  Doing nothing but talk about "draining swamp" is just that, doing nothing.
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Offline XenaLee

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #11 on: September 14, 2018, 03:25:02 pm »
By Hank Berrien
https://www.dailywire.com/news/35849/sasse-wants-drain-swamp-real-hank-berrien
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
From a concurrent op-ed by Sasse published in USA Today today, in which he wrote of the thinking behind the five bills:

If Sasse really wanted to drain the swamp (doubtful).... he would have presented this, instead.

2. Require that presidential and vice-presidential candidates’  and all Congress members' tax returns are disclosed.

3. Eliminate or end the ability of congress members to settle sexual abuse lawsuits via taxpayer money.  Create a public database of congressional HR settlements, make disclosure quicker, and increase personal financial liability for members of Congress.

4. Prohibit members of Congress AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS from buying or selling stocks during their time in office.


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Offline austingirl

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2018, 03:25:40 pm »
Drain the swamp?  :pondering:

How does this impact:  Strozok, Comey, Rosenstein, Mueller, Obama, Clinton, Bush, Page, Yates, Brennan, Clapper, Kerry, the media serving as an arm of the Democats .... et al? 

Want to keep congress honest?  Pass term limits.  Want to keep foreign money out of politics, enforce the laws on the books. Want to uproot the deep state ... end security clearances concurrent with employment and appoint a second special counsel to put their asses in front of a grand jury and not behind it.

Yes to term limits. And why not a prohibition against Congressthiefs' families taking high-paying jobs with lobbying firms.
Principles matter. Words matter.

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2018, 04:02:04 pm »
@Sanguine

And which of those do you find worthy of consideration?  In my case, it's none of them.  Every one of them can easily be sidestepped and he knows it.

ANY law can be sidestepped by those determined to do so.  This is a good starting place.

What are your suggestions?

Offline skeeter

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2018, 04:17:11 pm »
@Sanguine

Are you kidding me?  Just more grandstanding for the cameras.

I mostly agree Bigun. There're one or two of these that would help, a few are obviously just a poke in Trump's eye.

I would be more impressed and less inclined to think this is just Sasse campaigning for 2020 by attempting to appropriate Trump's agenda if he'd offer to work with him directly right now.

This thin gruel just looks like what the democrats have offered from time to time to try to jump on the reform governemnt train.



« Last Edit: September 14, 2018, 04:18:28 pm by skeeter »

Offline Bigun

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #15 on: September 14, 2018, 04:56:12 pm »
ANY law can be sidestepped by those determined to do so.  This is a good starting place.

What are your suggestions?

@Sanguine

How about getting rid of public sector unions and revamping Civil Service laws for starters?  IF you really want to drain the swamp that is.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #16 on: September 14, 2018, 05:01:00 pm »
@Sanguine

How about getting rid of public sector unions and revamping Civil Service laws for starters?  IF you really want to drain the swamp that is.

Those would be good, but this seemed to be more about elected public servants.  At least that's how I read it.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2018, 05:01:44 pm by Sanguine »

Offline the_doc

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #17 on: September 14, 2018, 05:21:46 pm »
I don't think so.  That ship has sailed with Trump.  He was supposed to drain the swamp but instead he complains about Cohen and Manafort.  Why because they are no different than he is.  Cheat and steal.

Sasse keeps on impressing me.  And he is real, and believable.  He honestly wants to drain the swamp.

Well, I agree with you, more or less, but I think the Swamp would drown Sasse for his trouble.  From what I've seen over the past several decades, draining the Swamp will require military action against America's domestic enemies.  Let's watch and wait a bit longer to see what Trump is actually planning.  (In the meantime, I recommend that you ignore Trump's political theater.)

Eventually we would need to implement some of Sasse's ideas.  But I believe these would be maintenance therapies, not cures.

Offline Bigun

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #18 on: September 14, 2018, 05:25:42 pm »
Those would be good, but this seemed to be more about elected public servants.  At least that's how I read it.

Right!  Misdirection!  "I'll still be here when you are LONG gone Mr. Congressman, Senator, President!"  THAT is the swamp!
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #19 on: September 14, 2018, 06:34:05 pm »
Right!  Misdirection!  "I'll still be here when you are LONG gone Mr. Congressman, Senator, President!"  THAT is the swamp!

Ummmm, no.  I wasn't pretending that this would solve everything or address everything.  Why would you think I did?

Offline Frank Cannon

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #20 on: September 14, 2018, 06:39:10 pm »
Sasse couldn't drain his own bathtub. This is just more hot air from another ne'er do well do nothing politician.

Offline the_doc

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #21 on: September 14, 2018, 06:47:21 pm »
Ummmm, no.  I wasn't pretending that this would solve everything or address everything.  Why would you think I did?

Shrewd answer. 

Offline Bigun

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #22 on: September 14, 2018, 08:18:53 pm »
Ummmm, no.  I wasn't pretending that this would solve everything or address everything.  Why would you think I did?

@sanquine

I didn't.   You think this actually addresses something and I don't.  That's it.  Still friends i hope.   :beer:
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #23 on: September 14, 2018, 08:29:41 pm »
@sanquine

I didn't.   You think this actually addresses something and I don't.  That's it.  Still friends i hope.   :beer:

Of course we're still friends!  If I dumped someone every time they were wrong, I wouldn't have any friends.    :tongue2:

Offline Bigun

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Re: Sasse Wants To 'Drain The Swamp' For Real
« Reply #24 on: September 14, 2018, 08:36:19 pm »
Of course we're still friends!  If I dumped someone every time they were wrong, I wouldn't have any friends.    :tongue2:

 22222frying pan
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien