Obamacare Architect Also Lobbied for Big Pharma

This report from the The Young Turks shows how totally corrupt Washington is. Liz Fowler is a top lobbyists for the pharmaceutical companies. She is also an "author" of Obamacare. While she was pushing the healthcare plan she also worked on behalf of the companies who stood to profit from it. And they did. She was essentially a double-agent for the healthcare industry. And it happened with the knowledge and support of her employers the Obama White House and Senator Max Baucus.

GOP Consultant Accuses Karl Rove Of Lying About Claim He Made No Money At Super PAC

Source:

Former George W. Bush political advisor and head of the pro-Republican Super PAC American Crossroads, Karl Rove, has claimed in the past that he drew virtually no salary in his position as chief fundraiser for the candidates his group supported. Rick Tyler, Republican consultant and political adviser to former Missouri Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin – a vocal opponent of former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney during the Republican primaries – does not believe it. In an appearance on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews on Friday, Tyler charged that Rove made a significant amount of money for his work with Crossroads and has not disclosed his financial gains.

Minnesota Police Reportedly Give Drugs To Occupy Protesters For 'Impairment Study'

Source: Huffington Post:

Occupy protestors in Minnesota are alleging that police gave drugs to young people as part of an 'impairment study' that helps officers identify the symptoms of drug use.

In a video (watch above), activists claim that for three weeks, law enforcement officers have been picking up volunteers to participate in a program called "Drug Recognition Expert."

The footage shows alleged participants in the scheme, including one who claims, "They [the police] come into downtown... and basically pick up random people, and ask them to do drug evaluations."

Illinois: Feds say city official actually stole $53M

Source:

Federal prosecutors say in an indictment that a former financial officer for the small northern Illinois city of Dixon stole millions more in public funds than an initial investigation had uncovered.

Tuesday’s indictment accuses Rita Crundwell of stealing more than $53 million from the city since 1990. An initial criminal complaint filed upon her April 17 arrest had accused her of siphoning $30 million in public funds to a secret account she controlled.

Crundwell is accused of using the money to fund horse-breeding operations that brought her national fame and a lavish lifestyle that included expensive jewelry and luxury vehicles.

The former comptroller will be arraigned May 7 in U.S. District Court in Rockford. 

Lobbyist latest to admit role in NY bribery scheme

NY wants to maintain it's reputation as one of the most corrupt Cites/States in the nation. Tammany Hall would be proud:

A prominent Manhattan lobbyist on Wednesday was the latest person to plead guilty in a federal corruption probe that ensnared a New York state senator.

Richard Lipsky, 64, told federal Judge Jed Rakoff that he funneled payments to former Democratic senator Carl Kruger in order to obtain favors.

Full article

Senator Stevens Indictment: Arrogance of Power

He's been powerful for so long he thinks he can do whatever he wants. If you a Republican or Democrat in Congress your job is essentially for life. And the longer your in power the more influence you acquire. This is how we've developed a two-party dictatorship in America. What we really have is one incumbency party. It is also why Congress' job approval rating is going straight throw the floor. Many naively believed that giving control to the Democrats in 2007 would change things. Now many believe that electing Barack Obama will really "change" things for the better in our government. If you believe that then you are just as mistaken. Only a revolution will save our country. For now, the word "change" is only a word.

For the first time since his indictment, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has spoken publicly about his legal situation — and how it affects his re-election campaign this year.

The longest-serving Republican in the Senate tells NPR that he's, "not worried" about the charges against him and that prosecutors "have a right to come to their conclusion. But I have a right to be presumed innocent just like anybody else."

Stevens made the comments as he returned home to Alaska, landing in Ketchikan, where he was greeted by a handful of applauding supporters.

The federal indictment announced Tuesday accuses Stevens of concealing $250,000 worth of gifts and favors from an oil services company.

Stevens would not go into specifics about the allegations, saying that talking about the charges right now would be bad legal strategy. But hew was willing to talk about how his legal strategy ties in with his campaign strategy. Stevens has asked for the soonest possible trial date.

"I'm entitled to a speedy trial," he tells NPR, "and I asked for one and I'm delighted, I think it's a good thing. That way when the voters vote, they'll be voting knowing I was right all along."