Corruption and a Declining Nation?

I found these fascinating little blurbs this evening on TPM Muckraker.  I was really wondering what would happen to Bill Allen, former CEO of VECO, when the involvement with Sen. Stevens and the rest of the Alaska bunch hit the fan.  There are a few other interesting notes here as well.  The sheer breadth and depth of corruption is astounding.  I was reading the piece earlier this afternoon that was discussing the signs of a nation’s decline in health and welfare.  (See quote and web address)

“All great nations throughout history have peaked and declined. Common among the indications of deterioration were blatant corruption at the political and corporate levels, a descent in morality bordering on outright debauchery and the use of paid mercenaries to defend the country’s interests.” (http://viewfromthemeadow.com/bushsecretarmy.html)

A brief stroll though whistleblower complaints posted and discussed in blogs on the Internet, as well as in mainstream and alternative news media sources brings about for the thoughtful reader, recognition of a troubling picture.   

-GFS

Robert Fromm, former Defense Department official and employee of Michael Wade's infamous contracting company MZM, has pleaded guilty to one count of violating a lifetime employment ban. Fromm has expressed his willingness to talk with officials about ongoing investigations. He is scheduled for sentencing in January. (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

Earning reports for Washington lobbying firms were very strong in the first half of 2007. According to CQ.com, a half-dozen midsize firms “at least double[d] their average six-month take during the 109th Congress.” Jim Turner, a former Democratic representative from Texas (top Democrat on Homeland Security Committee) had to sit out last season because of revolving door rules, but this year he is credited with tripling; the income of Arnold & Porter. (CQ)

Federal authorities have raided the home of disgraced fundraiser Norman Hsu. They seized all the fun stuff, including his wine collection (valued over $100,000) and a saxophone signed by Bill Clinton. (AP)

Former Veco CEO Bill Allen has pleaded guilty to crimes including bribing public officials. Executives at his former firm have pleaded guilty to “crimes including making conduit contributions to politicians -- basically giving employees money to make contributions to politicians.” Nonetheless, few people who have received Veco cash have felt compelled to return it. Much of it can be found in the coffers of campaign funds of members of the Senate appropriations committee. (American Public Media)

Yesterday we reported that the Environmental Protection Agency had settled a huge case that would require $5 billion in cleanup for American Electric Power. Despite the case being opened under the Clinton administration, Bush fans were calling the case vindication for the administration's choice to focus the EPA on a handful of particularly large cases (which would explain the noticeable paucity in investigations over the past six years). But that talking point has already been put to rest, as Bush's EPA has announced that it no longer intends to prosecute or enforce similar cases. (Washington Post)

The Army has had better success in the past few months of meeting its recruitment targets, but at a certain price. In order to meet quota, the Army has been accepting more soldiers who do not have a high school degree. And, since the start of the war in 2003, the Army has doubled the percentage of new recruits with criminal records. (Chicago Tribune)

In the "Where Are They Now?" file, former Congressional aide-cum-lobbyist-cum-aide again Jeffrey Shockey has made the quiet transition to soccer dad, at least according to his charitable giving. Shocker was a former aide to Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) who later demonstrated an "insider's talent" for securing funds from Lewis' committees. Seven of Shocker's lobbyist clients have already been subpoenaed in federal investigations. (Harper's)

From TPM Muckraker

By Peter Sheehy and Will Thomas - October 11, 2007, 9:47AM