Chao created special path for McConnell’s favored projectsset

We hear a lot of noise from the reactionary right wing about “draining the swamp”

But there’s little question that the Trump Administration has raised influence peddling, self dealing and outright graft to a level that exceeds Warren Harding’s and probably goes past that of the second Grant Administration.

So far, (as far as we know), we’ve had Wilbur Ross, Betsy DeVos, Scott Pruitt and Ryan Zinke. We have Trump’s campaign manager, Paul Manafort trying to sell cabinet posts to a banker who lent him money.

Trumpsters are clearly comfortable with this sort of corruption. The scrupulously avoid talking about it, and never criticize it.

The latest example is Elaine Chao, probably the one Trump Administration official that it would seem least likely to belly up to the public trough in the obvious and malignant manner that characterizes this sleazy Administration.

Now we learn that her husband actually hired a staffer to steer pork through his wife’s agency.

And, in case anyone wants to question whether this was not the actual purpose, consider the words of one of the move’s beneficiaries:

“Todd probably smoothed the way, I mean, you know, used his influence,” Mattingly said in a POLITICO interview. “Everybody says that projects stand on their own merit, right? So if I’ve got 10 projects, and they’re all equal, where do you go to break the tie?”

“Well, let’s put it this way: I only have her ear an hour when I go to visit her once a year,” he added of Chao and Inman, a longtime Bluegrass State operative who had worked as McConnell’s advance man. “With a local guy, he has her ear 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You tell me.”

This is choice influence peddling. It’s blatant.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/10/mcconnell-elaine-chao-1358068

Oh, and did I mention the way McConnell blocked the Senate attempt to stop Trump from cancelling certain Russian sanctions. Oleg Deripashka was grateful!

 

I wonder how many members of congress are involved in shady deals?

 

Good point, lets see how many Republicans go to Russia again on the 4th of July?.....again!

Another story so strange.....You couldnt write this and people believe it....But its happening

 

Right!! I bet some will even go there to get married the ****ing traitors!!

 

To paraphrase:

Trump (and his supporters): "Drain the swamp!"
TomFitz: cites a story pointing out that influence peddling (the "swamp") is worse under this administration than in living memory.
Doombug: Washington is a swamp. What do you expect? Who cares what my guy and his team does?

 

This is not about Hillary. It is about the hypocrisy of a guy (and his followers) who claimed he was going to "drain the swamp", and all he did was install his own people who turbo-charged it.

 

Oh so you just want to discuss part of the topic.. Got you.

 

I'm not sure Kentucky was awarded an undo share. Don't like the Turtle or his wife the daughter of the globalist shipping family

 

I thought we lived in a represenative Government of course he should be looking out for his state...

 

You would save time by counting those who are not.

 

Not if it involves Chao making sure Kentucky projects get funded via special vetting. Supposedly we don't have earmarks anymore and funding is awarded through some set of criteria to judge the "best." But it appears that Kentucky gets about the same overall amount as a state of it's population would be expected to get. But we don't know if states like NY or NJ that vote dem, got less.

 

Shouldnt we "know" before people cry foul or is just the appearance of an ethical issue enough?

 

Chao doesn't even hide her discretions

 

She was born for Trump's swamp, that's for sure

 

Hillary Clinton is not part of the topic.

And her husband WAS President.

But this whataboutism is all you’ve ever had, as you excuse the very thing you claim you’re fighting.

The Trumpsters on this thread are doing exactly what I expected to do.

The usual. Excusing corruption in the Trump Administration with weak, or non existent arguments.

Trying the “they all do it” dodge.

And (tiresomely) trying to make it about Clinton, for the millionth time.

Now, you want to discuss the fake tariff crisis that Trump just made up, and claimed to solve, or the fake “secret” agreement he claims he has with Mexico. (The one Mexico says doesn’t exist).

He’s your clown. And he’s making you work extra hard to rationalize his clownishness, corruption and greed.

 

Blah blah blah whataboutism( aka you cant stay consistent on the topic so you run from it)

 

I started the topic.

Your attempt to derail the thread failed, again,

 

Then you are aware that you were discussing" influence peddling, self dealing and outright graft"

Well so am I.... No derail whatsoever... Again information you do not like is not derailing.. Now run along.

 

Whataboutism is a failed form of a logical argument. Make a comment about the topic of this thread (hint: the topic is the Secretary of Transportation [and Mitch McConnell's wife] providing special treatment for McConnell's favorite projects) instead of trying to derail the thread by talking about something irrelevant.

You have yet to make a single comment about the topic of this thread. Make one or run along or, at a minimum, do not tell the author of the thread to run along.

 

Virginia Canter, a former White House associate counsel under Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and current ethics counsel for the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said showing political favoritism in awarding grants violates ethical standards. And when a potential beneficiary is a spouse, there’s an extra level of concern.

Is it ok to mention the names yes or no?

I will quote this part for you

"And when a potential beneficiary is a spouse, there’s an extra level of concern."

THIS IS WHAT I HAVE DISCUSSED.

I read the thread you and the OP have not it seems.

Perhaps read it first instead of trying to silence me as i am sure you both have reported my on topic posts.

 

Where can I find the names "McConnell" or "Chao" in your post?

 

And when a potential beneficiary is a spouse, there’s an extra level of concern.

 

The Transportation Department, through a spokesperson, said that “No state receives special treatment from DOT,” noting that Kentucky is 26th in population and 25th in DOT money in the Trump years. Of 169 grants awarded during Chao’s tenure, the spokesperson said, Kentucky received five.

What is the issue? Is it just the assumption of an issue due to their relationship?

 

No, you aren’t. All you did was try your usual dodge by trying to derail the thread by bringing up Clinton for the millionth time, hoping that someone would take the bait.

 

Read the article. Learn something.