No Yawning At Ethics Reform This Time

Schieffer: Whether Or Not Ted Stevens Broke The Law, His Case Proves The Need For Tougher Ethics Laws

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

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Congress passed a tough ethics reform bill last week. Washington ethics has become such an oxymoron that ethics reform usually draws a yawn, but it shouldn't this time.

The FBI investigation of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, which coincidentally came to the fore as the bill passed, shows how badly it was needed.

Stevens is no newcomer just learning the rules. He is 83 and the longest serving Republican Senator ever. He is an expert at bringing home federal dollars to his state and, in one case, slipped a secret request into a federal spending bill to obtain 1.6 million dollars for an Alaskan Marine Biology Center.

What raised questions is that the Center then used the money to buy some land from the business partner of Stevens' son.

Legal or not, is that how the rest of us want out tax money spent?

Then there is the other part. The FBI wants to know why an Alaskan Energy Company that does a lot of business with the government, and whose owner has pleaded guilty to bribing state legislators, apparently took over the remodeling of the Senator's house.

The Senator claims no wrongdoing, but who would even put themselves in such a position?

The new law is not perfect, but it will make it harder to do all those things.

As for Stevens, a friend says he sincerely believes he has done nothing wrong. To me, that's the most damning part. If that is what one of the Capitol's longest serving legislators really believes, then there is no question tougher laws were needed.

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E-mail Face the Nation.

[usbrit-2009]

janem, perception5 etc., if you hate CBS so much why do you keep on polluting this blog with your inane views. Just go back to FauxNews and be preached at like the choir you are. BTW if Kaplan is a conflict of interest at CBS, how about the propaganda meister in chief at Faux - Rupert Murdoch?

[hwy71so]

What does congress know about ethics? Its apparent they're not reading the Constitution nor any of the other documents our fore fathers produced.

It is imperitive we get back to the doctrine this nation was founded on. That of one nation under God. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are quite clear as to our ethical needs on this.

[brianbwb-2009]

It is almost funny, what are called "ethics violations", as practiced by Stevens and his ilk in America, are known in Indonesia (rated one of the most corrupt countries in the world) by more accurate names, "korupsi, kolusi, and nepotisme"...

[one_american]

Bob, you really couldn't be any more irrelevant than you are now.

Retire.

Now.

[speakinup]

"I believe the best way to solve a lot of these problems is voter imposed term limits, never vote for an incumbent. Newbys don't have the years of obligations and connections and are still idealistic and really want to change things."Posted by sensible2

AMEN !

Not to mention if we imposed term limits in a Amendment, for both houses, that POLITICIANS would be a thing of the past, we'd get more statemen. They wouldn't be trying to hang onto the lifetime jobs, they'd vote what was right, irrespective of party!

[perception5]

CBS (Corrupt Broadcasting Station) is a fine one to talk about "ETHICS". Here's a liberal news organization that has Rick Kaplan as head of their news division.

Rick Kaplan is close friends with Bill and Hillary Rotten Clinton. Rick hung out and slept at the Clinton White House twice, the last time in April 2000.

Of course this represents a Gross Conflict Of Interest. What sane person would or could expect that the news coming out of this liberal network is going to be "favorable" to Hillary Rotten Clinton?

What should happen if CBS was serious about clearing their own house is Mr. Kaplan should resign and CBS should announce the implementation of a "affirmitive action program" to include NOT EXCLUDE "moderates and conservatives" in their news room.

Does this seem fair????????

[sensible2]

I believe the best way to solve a lot of these problems is voter imposed term limits, never vote for an incumbent. Newbys don't have the years of obligations and connections and are still idealistic and really want to change things.

[sensible2]

I believe the best way to solve a lot of these problems is voter imposed term limits, never vote for an incumbent. Newbys don't have the years of obligations and connections and are still idealistic and really want to change things.

[sensible2]

I believe the best way to solve a lot of these problems is voter imposed term limits, never vote for an incumbent. Newbys don,t have the years of obligations and connections.

[rushlimpdrug]

Perhaps you should have named this piece:
"I Will Never Get Used To Washington Politicians"

perception5 needs to pull the plug on his keyboard. He is just stupid.

[stopkidding]

Well, Perception, are you arguing that Stevens did not do all the corrupt things that everyone else in the world knows he did? Or are you just changing the subject because you have no argument?

[perception5]

Just another "liberal hit piece" from a KNOWN liberal news outlet....CBS (Clinton Broadcasting Station.)

Dear liberal Bob Schieffer how can you talk about ethics when this Corrupt Democrat Congress pull the "plug" on the eletronic voting machine in the House Thursday night when the Republicans had with moderate/conservative Democrats defeated an amendent by a vote of 115-114.

CBS you need to STOP your support of your pals the Democrats or risk becoming another left-wing hate group like MoveOn.org and DailyKos.......really sad indeed

[stl-mo-usa]

Mr. Schieffer,

Yes, the problem is those folks DON'T see it as a problem!!!---(that's why all those combined years of experience are a real problem)... Their attitude that it's OK to spend MY tax dollars the way. That it's OK to make those foolish decisions & do those foolish things that are disgraceful.

"Wake-Up" folks & use OUR money to solve the real problems America is facing !!!!


Basically they have until election day to "clean up" their act ----(that's THEIR "deadline")

THEN America's voice will be heard.
Yes, Folks--"Hope" is on it's way.

The people's government will fix this damm mess .