Follow The Money on Open Secrets. Org

3/18/2009

posted by N. Sioris

Stumble It!

Today I was getting ready to write a post about "Zombie" banks. The term zombie banks has been bandied about quite a bit during the past couple of weeks, so I thought I would explain what they are and how the term came about.

However, in the research process, I stumbled upon a website that I think actually makes a much more interesting post. The website is, Open Secrets.org ,Center for Responsive Politics. "Zombie Banks" post will have to wait for another day.

Open Secrets.org shines a spotlight on the incestuous relationship between money and congressional influence in America. Under the section of the website that is called "Influence and Lobbying" you will find a sub-category called "Revolving Door."

Here is a copy of the first paragraph of this page:

"Although the influence powerhouses that line Washington's K Street are just a few miles from the U.S. Capitol building, the most direct path between the two doesn't necessarily involve public transportation. Instead, it's through a door—a revolving door that shuffles former federal employees into jobs as lobbyists, consultants and strategists just as the door pulls former hired guns into government careers. While members of the executive branch, Congress and senior congressional staffers spin in and out of the private and public sectors, so too does privilege, power, access and, of course, money."

According to their mission statement, CRP's (Center for Responsive Politics) mission is to:

• Inform citizens about how money in politics affects their lives
• Empower voters and activists by providing unbiased information
• Advocate for a transparent and responsive government

When Will We Say; Enough is Enough?

If you are as outraged as I am with the revelations that have been exposed as a result of the global financial collapse, corporate fraudsters, unprecedented corporate greed, utter incompetence on Wall Street and virtually no Congressional oversight, you may want to bookmark Open Secrets.org as one of your favorites and check in regularly to see what latest insult is being perpetrated by these so called "masters of the universe."

Until we, the public, demand better from our elected officials, we deserve the government we have.