Sept. 20 - Critical Deadline in Tom DeLay ethics complaint - TAKE ACTION!

[Darby]

The Ethics Committee's deadline for making a decision whether to investigate the charges against Tom DeLay is next Monday, September 20.

THIS WEEK, we can put pressure on the committee to appoint a special counsel and launch a full investigation by:

*writing LTTE's to newspapers

*calling, faxing, or emailing the ethics committee members.
Here's the list: http://www.house.gov/ethics/CommitteeMembers.htm

Right now, no-one can police House members for illegal use of campaign funds EXCEPT this committee. It is vital they do their job to protect the integrity of our democracy. WE MUST CONVINCE THEM TO VOTE FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION AT THIER SEPT. 20, 2004 MEETING.

The complaint covers three areas: 1) DeLay's soliciting a bribe from Westar Energy in return for an amendment to the energy bill that would have resulted in millions of dollars in savings for the company; 2) DeLay's use of his PAC, Texans for a Republican Majority to launder corporate money, converting such funds into hard dollars that were donated directly to candidates for the Texas State Legislature; and 3) DeLay's use of the Federal Aviation Administration to track down a plane carrying Texas legislators who had left the State to avoid voting on DeLay's partisan redistricting plan.

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Learn more about the ethics complaint at: http://bell.house.gov/HoR/TX25/Hidden+Content/Ethics+In ...

and at http://www.citizensforethics.org/activities/20040615 /

See Dems around the country calling for special counsel: http://www.takingontomdelay.com (Sept 10 article)

[napi21]

1. Do you REALLY think there's any possibility?

I just looked at who's on that committee. First, there's nobody from my State, so how much influence do you think I'd have? Second, I never even heard of any of those people. Would they have any ability to fight against DeLay, Hastert and the rest of the group?

I hate to say it, but with Dems in the minority, I don't think there's a chance.

Maybe the DA in Texas, but nothing in the house.

[CitySky]

3. Dems are NOT in the minority on this committee

This is the ONLY House Committee that is evenly split. There are 5 D's, 5 R's, and the co-chairs have equal power. ONE R needs to see rampant fraud as an issue for the investigation to happen.

And, given pressure from people to investigate, if they DON'T investigate then we have a news story: more opportunities for LTE's etc.

Enough noise and maybe it will get enough cover to sway a few votes in TX District 22, where Democrat Richard Morrison is polling less than 10 points behind "the most powerful man in Washington, D.C." and can use ALL of our support.

Please help! Thanks to all who have made or will make calls. Just a call, "I demand that the ethics committee investigate the charges against Tom DeLay," is better than nothing.

For the people who live in or near areas "represented" by the committee members too afraid to confront DeLay, getting published in the local press is also critical.

-Peace!


Who to call:
http://www.house.gov/ethics/CommitteeMembers.htm

More info re complaint:
http://bell.house.gov/HoR/TX25/Hidden+Content/Ethics+Investigation.htm

The good guys:
www.morrisonfor22.com

[Darby]

2. how long does it take to send an e-mail/make a few phone calls?

[Darby]

4. kick

[CitySky]

5. Update

This is a press release about the issue from the Morrison campaign today: http://www.morrisonfor22.com/news/pr040915.php

I still think that pressure on the committee members is the way to go.

Either one R will switch over and the investigation will happen, or not -- in which case we can get their local papers to print our letters saying these "representatives" care more about their own sorry hides than about the integrity of the American political system.

Tom DeLay wields disproportionate power by his use of money, fear, bullying, and intimidation. Make sure the commitee gets pressure from us too. Pray for a sudden attack of integrity, or courage...