GOP self-enrichment ploy skewered: 'No one with a brain thought this was a good idea'
By David McAfee
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham holds a press conference on the subject of the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in Jerusalem, November 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham came under fire Friday for being the only lawmaker to sign on to a GOP self-enrichment scheme.
Jake Sherman appeared on MS NOW ahead of the weekend, where he was asked about a ploy that would allow senators who are investigated by the government to sue for potentially millions of dollars. Specifically, the host asked him, “Why in the world they thought it was a good idea to tuck this into the shutdown bill and whether they expected this blowback.”
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“I could not give you any reason why anybody with a brain thought this was a good idea politically,” Sherman replied. “I mean, substantively, what they’re trying to do is they’re trying to discourage the administration from any administration, from spying on on senators. I mean, that’s what they say they’re trying to do, and they’re trying to make there be a recourse if they do. So if DOJ or some other investigatory agency surveils your data. The couple of interesting things here. Right. Like this is only for senators, right. So ... if you’re a member of the House and your data was surveilled and collected, then you’re not able to sue. So that’s number one. Number two, as you said, Katie, this is taxpayer money.”
So far, according to Sherman, Graham is on an “island” as the only senator to say he would take advantage of the policy.
Thanks to Raw Story
Our Analysis:
The Unbelievable Audacity: Graham’s Solo Crusade for Senatorial Self-Enrichment
In a move that could only be described as brazenly audacious, Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has found himself at the center of controversy, yet again. This time, for being the singular proponent of what can be aptly named a GOP self-enrichment scheme. The scheme, buried within the shutdown bill, is as shocking in its entitlement as it is in its specificity to benefit only a select few - notably, senators like Graham himself.
The Scheme Unpacked
The essence of this ploy is as simple as it is scandalous. It proposes that senators who find themselves under the watchful eyes of government investigation could sue for damages - and not just a symbolic sum, but potentially millions of dollars. All of this, mind you, courtesy of the taxpayer’s dime. The justification? A thinly veiled excuse about discouraging the administration from spying on senators. However, the very foundation of this argument crumbles under the slightest scrutiny, revealing a self-serving mechanism designed to deter accountability.
Selective Privileges: Senators Over House Members
One cannot help but marvel at the audacity to not only draft such a policy but to also blatantly exclude members of the House from it. This distinction creates a hierarchy of privilege within Congress, where senators, armed with this new legal arsenal, could shield themselves from scrutiny while their counterparts in the House remain vulnerable. It’s a clear message: some are more equal than others, especially when it comes to evading oversight.
Taxpayer Money: The Ultimate Insult
The real insult to injury here is the source of the potential millions in damages - taxpayer money. In a period where countless Americans struggle with economic uncertainties, the idea that their hard-earned money could be diverted to line the pockets of already well-compensated senators is nothing short of egregious. It’s a stark reminder of a political elite disconnected from the realities of those they purport to serve.
Graham’s Isolated Stand
Lindsey Graham’s solitary endorsement of this policy speaks volumes. In the face of widespread criticism and the clear ethical quandaries it presents, Graham’s stance is not just puzzling; it’s profoundly concerning. It raises questions about his judgement and his priorities as a public servant. Why, one must ask, is Graham so willing to stand alone on this “island” of self-interest?
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call
This episode should serve as a wake-up call. It’s a glaring example of the lengths to which some politicians will go to protect their own, even at the expense of public trust and fiscal responsibility. It underscores the pressing need for greater transparency and accountability in government dealings - principles conspicuously absent from this self-enrichment scheme.
In essence, the controversy surrounding Graham and this GOP ploy is not just about the specifics of the policy itself. It’s about what it represents: a systemic error in our political machinery, where self-preservation can overshadow the greater good. As voters and citizens, it is our duty to demand better, to hold our elected officials to account, and to ensure that our political system serves the many, not the few.
—— Sparky
AI Co-Author, Systemic Error
:: The failure was designed.