Here is the reason Harry Reid is pushing telecom immunity:

[rateyes]

This is the page from the www.fec.gov website that shows the contributions made by corporations and PACS to politicians. Click on the link, and then scroll down the list and see how many contributions have been made to him from AT&T, AT&T PAC, SPRINT/NEXTEL & PAC, VERIZON WIRELESS, etc.

And, do not forget that individuals in the leadership of those companies can also make contributions which show up on a different page.

Follow the money, folks.

http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/S6NV00028

On edit: It might take a little while to load, depending on the speed of your connection...it's quite a long list of corporations and PACS who own...oops, I mean, support this candidate.

[babylonsister]

1. Geeze. I'll take your word for it, but knew there had to be a reason.

He's never supported holding the telecoms accountable. I hope Dodd, Feingold, et al, can prevail in stalling this. Furthermore, we need a new majority leader who's not so beholden to corporations.

[rateyes]

3. I did this search for our candidates, too.

Surprisingly, of the four left standing, there's only one who has a similar list of PACS and Corporations who have made these kind of donations.

[mopinko]

20. maybe they could do it like they're doing impeachment.

you know, look busy and stall.

[napi21]

2. Ca we start to push for a change in leadership for 2009?

I don't dislike Reid & Pelosi, bu I sure would refer 2 more forceful leaders. Wexler & Schumer come to mind. Personalities similar to their.

[rateyes]

4. I'd rather have Dodd than Schumer...

Schumer and Feinstein gave us AG Mukasey. On edit: Feingold would be a good one, too.

[GodlessBiker]

5. This is the kind of thing that drives voters to Ralph Nader-type candidacies.

When they see both democrats and republicans doing this type of thing.

[rateyes]

7. Yep. And, it's a shame.

Nader is partly to blame for the country being stuck with GW Bush.

[GodlessBiker]

12. The democrats who take money from these PACS are also partly to blame.

[rateyes]

18. You think it buys access?

:sarcasm:

[rateyes]

19. Might want to check this out:

http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/P00003392

[Blarch]

6. What a tool

[rateyes]

8. The FEC website, Harry Reid,

or both? :evilgrin:

[gratuitous]

9. Harry Reid's a lousy politician

Following Willie Brown's dictum that if you can't take their money and then turn around and screw 'em, you have no business in politics. Telecom immunity is just such a poisonous concept that there is absolutely nothing to argue in its favor. It's as bad an idea to come down the legislative pike as I can think of, and shouldn't have even seen the light of day, let alone be making a serious bid for enactment.

[rateyes]

10. I like that dictum...

And, you're right---Harry doesn't have the guts to do it.

[Bobbieo]

11. Now, I'd like to see Pelosi's list of contributors.

[rateyes]

15. You ask, I deliver:

http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/H8CA05035

Big telecom contributions. And, don't forget, the spy room set up by AT&T is located in her district.

[The Stranger]

13. With friends like Pelosi and Reid, who needs enemies?

[rateyes]

16. Excellent question. nt

[elizfeelinggreat]

14. Follow the money.

:(

[rateyes]

17. Always a good thing to do. nt

[Triana]

21. K & R and passing it on...

THIS, folks, is what Edwards, is talking about when he says we need to break the corporate stranglehold on our government. THIS is why I have a REAL PROBLEM with all that money HillBama gets from corprats and their lobbyists.

AND IF WE WANT THIS TO CHANGE -- it's not going to happen with the two candidates who are raking in cash from large corporations and their lobbyists. WHAT YOU'LL GET is just more of the below - a bought and paid for government who represents the special interests who gave them the most money - instead of the American People.

[rateyes]

22. !

:thumbsup:

[jaybeat]

23. What a f'ing surprise! (nt)

[DCKit]

24. So damn much money....

I wasn't even going to comment before a rec, but I went to the site and looked around a bit. There is an insane amount of specious money floating around out there, and a whole lot of it is NOT being tracked back to the original sources. The donations that are accounted for are horrific enough, but there are huge blocks of cash that seem to appear from nowhere.

[rateyes]

25. Yep. Interesting site. nt

[Usrename]

26. !bookmarked!

:thumbsup:

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. Shame on you Harry Reid. Shame SHAAAAAAME!

That webpage should be renamed www.feckless.gov

[L. Coyote]

28. WRONGO. Sorry, but you may want to review that. Here are some real facts:

HARRY REID (D-NV) - http://opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00009922&cycle=2008
Top Contributors

1 MGM Mirage $129,550
2 Boyd Gaming $81,749
3 Simmons Cooper LLC $73,400
4 Harrah's Entertainment $48,750
5 Lionel, Sawyer & Collins $47,400
6 Akin, Gump et al $43,500
7 Baron & Budd $37,000
8 Citigroup Inc $34,750
9 Station Casinos $32,200
10 Waters & Kraus $31,650
11 Caesars Entertainment $27,965
12 Newmont Mining $26,799
13 Mandalay Resort Group $26,350
14 Microsoft Corp $25,000
15 Weitz & Luxenberg $25,000
16 National Cable & Telecommunications Assn $23,000
17 Sierra Health Services $23,000
18 Wingfield Nevada Group $23,000
19 American Media Inc $22,000
20 Thornton, Early & Naumes $21,000

Now, try Jay Rockefeller!

[cosmicdot]

29. AT&T is a client of Reid contributor Akin, Gump, Strauss et al

Who Represents Corporate America?

http://www.law.com/special/professionals/nlj/nlj_clientlist1-50.html

'AT&T' is not listed as a 2006 top contributor for Reid in this list
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00009922&cycle=2008

however, AT&T is represented in other ways
http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/firmlbs.asp?txtname=Akin%2C+Gump+et+al&year=2007

Strauss once was the Democratic Party Chaimman. He's, also, a Poppy Bu$h presidential library foundation trustee. Good ol'Boy Corporatist Non-partisanship. Yes, indeedy. It's a small world after all.
http://www.georgebushfoundation.org/articles/Trustees

Glimpse into Reid's finances
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.asp?CID=N00009922&year=2005
(click 'Assets')

Akin, Gump et al
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Akin%2C_Gump%2C_Strauss%2C_Hauer_%26_Feld
In March 2007, it was announced that Kenneth B. Mehlman was rejoining Akin Gump as a partner.

Now, that's the bipartisanship they know.


Many of the top contributors to politicians come in the form of these corporate organizations like Akin; Kirkland & Ellis (research who they support), King & Spalding, etc.