Big tobacco and Halliburton among scandals to be investigated

Lobbyists may not like What new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will do as soon as the next Congress convenes in January.  But we will:

Halliburton, the CIA and big tobacco companies are among the early targets identified by top Democratic staff to ABC News as likely targets for investigation once the Democrats take control of the House at the beginning of next year. The staffers say Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), now expected to become speaker, has told top Democratic donors there is a "100-hour agenda" she wants to push through -- taking on the minimum wage, drug and energy prices and corruption.

Defense contractors, including Halliburton, the intelligence rationale for the war in Iraq and CIA secret prisons are what one staffer called "uninvestigated scandals."

Of course, until it is done, this is just talk.  And if the Democratic House becomes gun-shy in January, or if any Democrats who have been at the House for a long time don't want to go along with these new reforms, then you can bet that this site and other blogs will expose them.  We are tired of inaction, and want results.  This is our Congress now -- let's act like it.

Comments

[Gary G]

I've been scanning some liberal blogs today just to get a feel for attitudes... There just doesn't seem to be the elation that I had anticipated. I shared views and discussions with several people after the '00 and '04 elections: I'm a conservative, and the polarization of our country has both fascinated and puzzled me for many years.

I'm not nearly as disappointed about the results as I thought I would be. Perhaps it is time to let the other side try their hand at it for a while. My cynical nature tells me that there won't be any real change, just more power struggles for the sake of power. The 94 results produced very little real change, other than tax cuts, and no doubt those will be soon rolled back.

I was compelled to write a comment on this blog because of the comments about the intent to investigate Big Tobacco. Why? Dems thrive on tax revenues, and between the tobacco litigation settlement bucks and cigarette sales taxes, there's a tidy sum flowing into state and federal coffers. Do they want to kill the industry? If they were serious, they'd just pass a law that nicotine was drug and had to be regulated by the FDA and prescribed by a doctor. That would take care of that with the stroke of a pen. What do you guys want Pelosi and friends to do? May I cynically predict loud and vigorous investigations that lead to nothing, other than lots of tv coverage?

I guess I'm getting old and cynical, guys. I just can't see any real change until we develop a parlimentary system. The two party system simply allows entrenchment of one group of frat boys or the other....

Thanks for letting me vent.

[Carl Philbrook]

So all the dems that were elected on a conservative agenda have to change their views to please nancy.

[Administrator: Todd]

Carl, no, that's what will happen. Pelosi will need to change HER views, so that she is more than just a representative of San Francisco, but a representative of ALL Americans. But believe it or not, Carl, she is not as liberal as you think. She wants to install a balanced budget rule -- that, by definition, is being fiscally conservative.

Carl, how's life treating ya these days? Haven't heard from you in awhile. I'm looking for big things out of your Red Sox this year -- anything to beat up on the Yankees.

Oh, and sorry about the Patriots/Colts game. I was pulling for you guys! Those two teams will probably meet in the AFC Championship.

[ted K]

Carl..big hugs. there there, you are not alone.. and hell I am in Cali!!

[ted K]

Carl, I also don't get the guns out for Tobacco either, for your same reasoning.
And Halliburton?
Feinstien and Boxer better sell their Halli stock before that happens.

I think Pelosi will have to reign it in, if she goes hog wild, there is gonna be some pain in 2 yrs.

and you need to look at the contract with America that took place in 94 before you start saying that Repubs did nothing. Why do you think the budget was balanced then? Newt was great..too bad our side lost their vision and went the power hungry way of politicians.