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You Need a Way to Better Yourself: Dan Crenshaw Made the Fifth Best Rate of Return Off Stock Trades In Congress, Narrowly Beating... Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi has come under fire for her excellent powers of market forecasting. Why, it's almost as if she knows market-moving information before the market does!

But just ahead of her -- everyone's favorite fork-tongued neocon, Dan Crenshaw.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Houston) did pretty well for himself in 2021, financially speaking. According to a new report from Unusual Whales, Crenshaw's trading netted the fifth-highest rate of return among members of Congress, narrowly edging out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. A total of 35 members of Congress got returns greater than the SPDR S&P 500 Trust ETF (SPY), essentially meaning they beat the market.


stocktradingrecords.jpg

Note this measures rate of return, percentage gained over what was invested. It is not total money earned. I'm sure Nancy Pelosi, with all her ill-gotten millions (that we know about...) absolutely trounces Crenshaw in terms of gross dollars won at the market.

Crenshaw has gotten in hot water over stock trading before. In March of 2020, he made half a dozen buys while the country went into lockdown and Congress debated and wrote the largest economic stimulus package in history. This included purchasing stock in Boeing, a company that successfully lobbied for billions of dollars from the CARES Act. Crenshaw was on the House committees for Budget and Homeland Security at the time. More significantly, Crenshaw failed to disclose these trades for months, which is a violation of the STOCK Act.

The leftwing Daily Beast reports further:

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) did not buy or sell any stocks in his first 13 months as a congressman. That changed in March 2020, when he made half a dozen buys as the largest economic relief package in history was written and debated.

Five of those purchases came in the three days between March 25 and 27, as the Senate and House voted on the CARES Act and former President Trump signed it into law. Crenshaw, who supported the bill, did not initially disclose the transactions, in violation of the STOCK Act, a law that requires members of Congress to tell the public when they engage in securities trades. Months later he amended his records to reflect the purchases.

The trades, which are listed only in a range of values, add up to a maximum of $120,000, and do not compare in size or volume to the kinds of headline-grabbing transactions executed ahead of the pandemic by Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. They only appeared in December, when Crenshaw amended his annual report, originally submitted in August.

"You're referencing financial disclosures that use a range to report stock purchases, and you're choosing the upper end of the range to come up with that $120,000 figure," Justin Discigil, Crenshaw’s communications director, told the Daily Beast in an email. "The real number is around $30,000 at most," Discigil said, and "in no way were his purchases unethical or related to official business."

The timing, however, along with Crenshaw's own trading history and connections to the industry, raises questions about why he made the purchases and failed, twice, to disclose them.

Congressmen should not be allowed to invest in individual stocks. I'd go one step further and say that there should be periods of financial stress, or when major spending bills are being discussed, where some outside arbiter declares a moratorium on all market activity by congressmen and their money managers. So, say, during a the negotiations on a spending bill, a moratorium of say ninety days would be declared where congressmen's positions would be frozen.

Now, this is not that huge of a story. Crenshaw claims he didn't invest all that much, and further, one can say: Sometimes an investor just picks stocks wisely. And sometimes he just gets lucky.

Well, maybe.

But it gives you an insight into Crenshaw's very pro-elite, Protect The Swamp mindset to hear him answering questions about this.

He is willing to grudgingly allow that "it would be fine" if Congressmen should be allowed to invest in individual stocks, though he'd be "neutral" on it.

But then goes on to say these amazing things:

1) He complains that Congressmen aren't paid enough, complaining that the public won't allow them to give themselves a pay raise and there is no "housing stipend" so they have to pay rents in two different locations.

And he says that if you don't give them these things, only "millionaires and billionaires" will run for Congress.

Okay, fair enough, but... wait, you're saying you're forced to play the market because of this? And you're not sold on banning investing in individual stocks, for which you might have special insider knowledge, based on this?

And then he says, continuing his explanation for why we might be against banning investing in individual stocks:


2) "You (a Congressman) have no way to better yourself."

So... either raise a Congressmens' salaries, or continue allowing them to invest in individual stocks in which they might have special insider knowledge so that they can "better themselves"?

Is there another plausible way to read that other than, "Without increased salaries and other benefits, we need to resort to the work-around of giving ourselves our own raises by playing the market with some insider knowledge?"

If he didn't have insider knowledge, there'd be no reason to not just put money into indexes and broad-based money markets. Individual stocks are where you'd want to invest if you had special information or "little hunches" or "intuitions."

And he's saying we've got to let Congressmen keep playing their "hunches and intuitions," or give them raises. One or the other.

I just don't see how someone can read this except in the way I suggest. Crenshaw himself draws the lines between the dots himself.

By the way, I keep saying they "may have special insider information." That's way too generous. First of all, they always have tons of special insider information; they're always getting nonpublic briefings.

Second of all, they're always talking to industry people who are giving them valuable information. This information may not technically be of the protected "insider information" type, but the only reason they're getting the Insider View of the industry is due to their position as public officials, which they're then using to screw other members of the public not so fortunate as to have constant high-level financial and industrial intelligence briefed to them.

Third of all, they always have possession of one of the greatest kinds of insider information there is: the sense of what Congress is going to do about a perceived problem, or what it's going to spend.

No, they don't always know exact dollar figures for spending bills or whether every regulatory bill will pass and in what form, but they definitely do have an advanced sense that "X reform is going to pass this time" or "the airlines aren't going to get near what they want from this bailout" or "there's no way the Republicans will block a big spending bill if it's called 'covid relief.'"

And they're making trades armed with all that information.

And Crenshaw thinks he and his fellow Insiders should be permitted to continue doing so, so they have a way to Better Themselves -- unless you compensate them by paying them higher salaries.


Some might wonder if there's some kind of op, or hit, on Crenshaw.

I wondered that too. I don't know. It feels organic to me -- he's just said a lot of stupid shit that reveals his true character lately, and he's made enough enemies on the right that we're eager to make issue of this stuff rather than covering for him.

But who knows, maybe there is someone advancing this.

If so: Cheers, mate.

I don't really care if he's primaried. We have a lot of really terrible congressmen, and most of them are in the leadership.

I just want him scorched enough that he is too radioactive to be a viable Senate or Vice Presidential candidate or, God forbid, Presidential candidate, which is of course what he's got his eye fixed on.


More on Congress giving itself Backdoor Raises through trading on stocks (for which they certainly have special insider knowledge) from Unusual Whales).

Here's their summary, more details at the link:

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been exchanged on the stock market by our elected officials in 2021 alone

In just equities, Congress bought and sold nearly $290 million throughout the year.
In 2021, Congress beat the market!

This report shows which sectors were preferred by each party and branch, oftentimes huge trade amounts could be attributed to one or two members.

Big legislative events (such as the Infrastructure Bill getting passed by the Senate) were often preceded by politicians trading in the sectors affected. There were tons of unusual trades where politicians made millions of dollars.

Congress has 45 days to disclose trades to the public, sometimes they are late and you can see a list of late disclosures here!

Some politicians held securities in the sectors they vocally expressed support for (such as Senators holding cryptocurrencies while drafting crypto regulations).

Oh, and even Nancy Pelosi, who previously refused to even consider a ban on congressmen "bettering themselves" through investment in individual stocks, now allows that maybe it would be okay as she's about to retire:


Posted by: Ace at 12:13 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 first

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at January 25, 2022 12:13 PM (8D42x)

2 and from now on, i'm just trading with the congressional index...

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at January 25, 2022 12:13 PM (8D42x)

3 corgis called

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at January 25, 2022 12:14 PM (8D42x)

4 Follow the f*cking money

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 25, 2022 12:15 PM (lCui1)

5 Hola

Posted by: Thanatopsis at January 25, 2022 12:15 PM (I+9RK)

6 So why can't congress critters spend a period of time performing public service and then return to the private sector to make money?

Posted by: N.L. Urker, getting serious about lurking at January 25, 2022 12:15 PM (eGTCV)

7 "what he's got his eye fixed on." - nice, Ace

Posted by: MCFraught at January 25, 2022 12:15 PM (PaQVX)

8 >>>7 "what he's got his eye fixed on." - nice, Ace

a subtle jibe

Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:16 PM (0G13K)

9 I do think that it should be illegal for anyone in government to own individual stocks.

Blind trusts are iffy.

I think if you're unwilling to work in government and have your money lose value to everyday inflation in a bank that gives .01% interest, then you're in a situation where you will use your overwhelming governmental power to make money on the side.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:16 PM (LvTSG)

10 *deletes*

Posted by: I'm literally shaking at January 25, 2022 12:17 PM (CDl9u)

11 Pikers! I made $100,000 on a $1,000 investment in cattle futures in less than 10 months!

- Drunk Hillary

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 12:17 PM (gmo/4)

12 Best stock tip
Become a Congressmen

Posted by: Skip's Phone at January 25, 2022 12:17 PM (vWk2R)

13 6 So why can't congress critters spend a period of time performing public service and then return to the private sector to make money?
Posted by: N.L. Urker, getting serious about lurking at January 25, 2022 12:15 PM (eGTCV)

Cute. What does Crenshaw or Pelosi have to sell other than us and legislative votes?

Posted by: CN at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (ONvIw)

14 "Congressmen should not be allowed to invest in individual stocks."


That's the way it should be, but it will never happen. way too much $$$$$ to be made and they are simply not going to leave that kind of money on the table.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (bVYXr)

15 So the top five grifters were GOP scum.

Posted by: Ordinary American at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (H8QX8)

16 the only issue i have with this report is, as always, it's only focused on one side of the aisle. other than that, i hope they torch everyone of these motherfuckers.

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (8D42x)

17 If DC is too expensive on a congress man's salary maybe they could stay in their district.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, getting serious about lurking at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (eGTCV)

18 Blind trusts are iffy.

==

What about a half blind trust?

Posted by: Dan the one eyed bandit Crenshaw at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (lCui1)

19 I don't really care if he's primaried. We have a lot of really terrible congressmen, and most of them are in the leadership.

=========

He's an example of a Republican office holder that I think it's perfectly safe to not only primary him vigorously but vote Democrat if he wins that primary.

Losing 1 of 435 in a wave election year is very different from losing 1 of 100 in a stacked against us set of Senate races.

He's too expendable to be this haughty. Cut him loose. Let him join the RNC as a low level flacky.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (LvTSG)

20 I think Trump was the only politician in U.S History to leave office less wealthy than when he entered.


Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (gmo/4)

21 ah yes, Rep Dan "the parts of the Bible I agree with" Crenshaw.

Fine upstanding legislator who talks a good game, as long as he's got a script. However, if knocked off script, well, he's not much better than Biden when it comes to being aggressive.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (5pTK/)

22 Eh, I get the appearance of impropriety. I believe every person in Congress should have a blind trust. But that being said, these debates are public and if you watch Congress, and read the bills, it's pretty easy to figure out where the money is going and who will get it. I actually have a friend who specializes in this play.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (VpIIl)

23 17 If DC is too expensive on a congress man's salary maybe they could stay in their district.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, getting serious about lurking at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (eGTCV)

build a cheap dormitory

Posted by: CN at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (ONvIw)

24 Aren't Congress critters salaried in the range of 3X the family median income?

Fuck you, Crenshaw.

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (4I/2K)

25 "Some might wonder if there's some kind of op, or hit, on Crenshaw."

There is. It's an orchestrated leftwing hit. Dangerous Dan is still considered a rising star in the GOP among many in the GOPe. I know you're laughing, but it's true. The left targets anyone they see as a threat well in advance. If only the GOP were so diligent.

Posted by: Elric Blade at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (iFTx/)

26 Want to be a public servant?

1 - $90,000 per year. Period.
2 - You go on Obamacare.
3 - No perks.
4 - You must freeze all your assets and are barred from the market for a period of two years after you leave office.
5 - Term limits. Two terms, regardless of chamber.
6 - You are barred from holding any post as a lobbyist.
7 - Lobbying is hereby illegal.

Just for starters.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (s2VJv)

27 Doing better than Nancy is impressive, very impressive.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (EZebt)

28 So... either raise a Congressmens' salaries, or continue allowing them to invest in individual stocks in which they might have special insider knowledge so that they can "better themselves"?

If you can drop $30-120k on stocks in three days, your salary is high enough already.

Posted by: Jordan61 at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (Ez6QX)

29 Simple fix, Congress critters and STAFF cannot buy individual stocks, but STATES buy houses for Congress in DC... They are there to represent the States, so have a State buy them a place to live WHILE they are there in office.

Like the White House for the President.

Posted by: Romeo13 at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (oHd/0)

30 "Congressmen should not be allowed to invest in individual stocks."

congress should have all of their stock in a common trust. upon assuming office, they are required to sell their entire portfolio, family included, and that money is then put into a congressional fund that works on the S&P 500 and is open to ANY person who wants to buy shares.

when you leave, you may cash out.

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (8D42x)

31 "no way to better yourself"

How about serving your constituents and country for a couple of terms then going into the private sector?
Like was the norm for the first 150 years or so since our founding?

Posted by: Fool Otto at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (DB16e)

32 >>> Eh, I get the appearance of impropriety. I believe every person in Congress should have a blind trust. But that being said, these debates are public and if you watch Congress, and read the bills, it's pretty easy to figure out where the money is going and who will get it. I actually have a friend who specializes in this play.

you really think that everything congress people know about betting odds is made public? They do not give straight news, they're always talking up their team's position. They have private evaluations that are different.

Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (0G13K)

33 Crenshaws argument is simply reduced to this. I deserve lots of grift in the name of public service.

Posted by: 7man at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (qwO6y)

34 Hehehe... you sheep will do as you are told while I make awesome campaign videos dazzling you while picking your pocket every single day.

Posted by: NALNAMSAM - not as lean, not as mean, still a Marine at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (C0heI)

35 build a cheap dormitory
Posted by: CN at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (ONvIw)


Tent Cities

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Lie back and think of the sweet graft! ~ at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (hOUT3)

36 Can I get me a false dichotomy here?

Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (VJsqe)

37 I could barely afford weekend trips to Florida and $15 martinis.

Ugh

Posted by: AOC at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (CDl9u)

38 What about a half blind trust?
Posted by: Dan the one eyed bandit Crenshaw at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (lCui1)


*golf clap*

Posted by: Jordan61 at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (Ez6QX)

39 build a cheap dormitory
Posted by: CN at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (ONvIw)
-----------

Yep.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (5pTK/)

40 I hate French Hill. Rino gope go along to get along bastard. Now I can add corrupt to the list.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (o2MD2)

41 Meanwhile we're all losing our shirts because Congress made a dogs breakfast of the economy.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (Y5qcH)

42 29 Simple fix, Congress critters and STAFF cannot buy individual stocks, but STATES buy houses for Congress in DC... They are there to represent the States, so have a State buy them a place to live WHILE they are there in office.

Like the White House for the President.
Posted by: Romeo13 at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (oHd/0)


They should live in the poorest, most dangerous Anacostia housing project you can find.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (s2VJv)

43 If DC is too expensive on a congress man's salary maybe they could stay in their district.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, getting serious about lurking at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (eGTCV)

build a cheap dormitory

Posted by: CN at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM


They could pull a couple of those barracks barges we had to live/work on when our ship was in dry dock up the Potomac, anchor them and bob's your uncle.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (bVYXr)

44 Make an example of these criminals.

Yeah, I know.

Posted by: klaftern at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (taPSh)

45 Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (s2VJv)

Housing, like Base Housing for JUNIOR Officers in the Military.

Posted by: Romeo13 at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (oHd/0)

46 Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (s2VJv)

We'll hire your wife and kids while you're "out of action"

Posted by: Special interests at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (ONvIw)

47 20 I think Trump was the only politician in U.S History to leave office less wealthy than when he entered.


Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (gmo/4)

==========

The earliest ones most likely did too. Washington had to ignore his plantations. Adams was already pretty poor. Etcetera.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (LvTSG)

48 Awww, poor Crenshaw has no way to better himself?

He can always quit and join Xe Services, or Academi or whatever they're calling themselves now. Or run a protection detail company.

Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (RaNzC)

49 Who is Austin Scott? I need to follow his trades.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (sUMfc)

50 How on G*d's green earth could this ever be stopped? It is so wrong, legally and morally. But when they're the ones benefitting greatly, and also the ones who decide whether it continues unabated...the result: $millions accumulated in personal net worth. Foxes, henhouse. It's as disgusting and reprehensible as every law they pass while claiming exemption.

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (sVtYq)

51 I just finished watching a video of Pelosi's psycho-babble on this. These fucks have it made as it is. It's apparent the only reason to go into congress is to get rich and play the game. Sometimes do the kayfabe, but even that seems passe now. Fuck all of them.

Posted by: clutch cargo - processed in a facility that may contain lead at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (wAnMi)

52 This is just securities. There are so many other opportunities in other asset classes. Such as...residential real estate.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (EZebt)

53 what's the difference between a plantation and a farm, if any?

Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (0G13K)

54 He's too expendable to be this haughty. Cut him loose. Let him join the RNC as a low level flacky.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

No mercy!
Cobra kai politics from now on

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 25, 2022 12:23 PM (lCui1)

55 By the way, I disagree with Crenshaw on several issues. But if you don't also realize his seat is being targeted by Democrats, you're missing something. I bet I could cut that chart a few different ways to put other people on the top. But there's no math on this blog.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 25, 2022 12:23 PM (VpIIl)

56 Don't question my stock-picking!!!

Posted by: Dan at January 25, 2022 12:23 PM (786Ro)

57 My (R) guys didn't make the list. Must be real retards.

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 12:23 PM (gmo/4)

58 I would propose something slightly less drastic:

The CBO needs to score every bill based on what industries (SICs) will be directly affected.

Members will be required to disclose all direct investments in those industries, and recuse themselves from voting.

Posted by: JEM at January 25, 2022 12:23 PM (Qh7KG)

59 No, they don't always know exact dollar figures for spending bills or whether every regulatory bill will pass and in what form, but they definitely do have an advanced sense that "X reform is going to pass this time" or "the airlines aren't going to get near what they want from this bailout" or "there's no way the Republicans will block a big spending bill if it's called 'covid relief.'"
And they're making trades armed with all that information.

++++
Specific inside information about specific companies is surely there, but this is probably the bigger mover. They have lots of top-level information and they trade on it. If you did that as a non-congressman (got the inside dope on a new regulatory package from a buddy and then traded based on it), you'd be prosecuted for insider trading even if it didn't involve corporate financials.

And tough shit for them. Not paid enough? Do a job good enough that people don't immediately want to crucify you for asking for more money. The guy who fucks up constantly and then demands a raise gets laid off on the next round. If you want more, do better so that people hate you less. The standards are low, Dan.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:23 PM (DU+/6)

60 I snarked the other day when the discussion of Congress being underpaid that they are so underpaid that they only stay in office for just 20 years.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (sUMfc)

61 From Chuck Callesto:

BREAKING REPORT: Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital REMOVES dying father-of-two, 31, from TOP OF HEART TRANSPLANT LIST because he's not vaccinated..

https://bit.ly/3H0jcqQ

We must never, EVER! let them fully take over healthcare. They will deny us medical coverage because we once liked a Lauren Southern tweet or filled out a 4473.

Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (RaNzC)

62 I am a bit sympathetic after hearing from my representative that parking spaces cost thousands per month. DC is setup to profit from the government there. They aren't allowed to sleep in the offices. A sharp straight arrow would be tempted to leave rather that put up with the racket.

Posted by: goodluckduck at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (pCXlW)

63 This is just securities. There are so many other opportunities in other asset classes. Such as...residential real estate.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (EZebt)

In Rock Ridge!

Posted by: That's Hedley! at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (4I/2K)

64 I am more concerned about Congress directing legislation and policy to improve their stock holdings than having insider info.

Posted by: Jen the original at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (5w6lS)

65 >>>No mercy!
Cobra kai politics from now on

Strike first! Strike hard!

Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (0G13K)

66 Who is Austin Scott? I need to follow his trades.
Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (sUMfc)


If these turds insist on keeping their ability for trading - then I'd be great with a law that they have to give 24 hour notice on which stocks they intend to invest in. Give us the same advantage, since it's all on the level, right?

Posted by: clutch cargo - processed in a facility that may contain lead at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (wAnMi)

67 Dan Crenshaw is a bad man.

I don't know why. Maybe just intrinsic. But he is not a good person.

Posted by: Black Orchid at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (j9HX3)

68 Trump sold all of the stocks he owned before he won.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (bVYXr)

69 We must never, EVER! let them fully take over healthcare. They will deny us medical coverage because we once liked a Lauren Southern tweet or filled out a 4473.
Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (RaNzC

Um, they pretty much have

Posted by: Special interests at January 25, 2022 12:25 PM (ONvIw)

70 58 I would propose something slightly less drastic:

The CBO needs to score every bill based on what industries (SICs) will be directly affected.

Members will be required to disclose all direct investments in those industries, and recuse themselves from voting.
Posted by: JEM at January 25, 2022 12:23 PM (Qh7KG)

===========

All government employees and contractors must have all of their assets in money market accounts with banks with less than $50 million in assets.

They must sell all real estate and rent.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:25 PM (LvTSG)

71 TL;DR.... who's Crenshaw's financial outfit? That's the key... who actually does the buying and selling? That person, or entity might very well get a "heads up" from the congress critter or his/her staff, but ultimately they'll decide what to do.

Cuz' I'd like to talk to them about investing...

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 25, 2022 12:25 PM (BFigT)

72 Eh, I get the appearance of impropriety. I believe every person in Congress should have a blind trust. But that being said, these debates are public and if you watch Congress, and read the bills, it's pretty easy to figure out where the money is going and who will get it. I actually have a friend who specializes in this play.
Posted by: Marcus T at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (VpIIl)
++++
Except all the parts that aren't public and happen in closed committee and where information makes its way through a convoluted grapevine between the administrative state and the congress, and the little clauses and paragraphs put in to enable their profit-taking while everyone else figures it out.

It is hugely improper and fraudulent.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:25 PM (DU+/6)

73 Florida Man arrested at Waffle House over bacon.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:25 PM (todmg)

74 Didn't the house vote to give themselves automatic raises some years back?

Posted by: BignJames at January 25, 2022 12:25 PM (AwYPR)

75 They aren't allowed to sleep in the offices? Did they write a Rick Santorum rule?

Posted by: Catherine at January 25, 2022 12:26 PM (ZSsrh)

76 He always keeps an eye out for good trades.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:26 PM (aXKOe)

77 71 TL;DR.... who's Crenshaw's financial outfit? That's the key... who actually does the buying and selling? That person, or entity might very well get a "heads up" from the congress critter or his/her staff, but ultimately they'll decide what to do.

Cuz' I'd like to talk to them about investing...
Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 25, 2022 12:25 PM (BFigT)

==========

I know there's a delay on the release of information about what stocks congresspeople are buying, but they're not exactly day trading. There has got to be some kind of fund out there that mirrors the best congressional performers as fast as the information becomes available.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:26 PM (LvTSG)

78 They complain about Congressional salaries being too low. And they ran for Congress knowing full well that was the case. Yet than ran anyway. It's almost as if they know that getting elected to Congress is a way to become very, very wealthy *despite* the nominal salary.

Funny thing, that.

Posted by: Hands at January 25, 2022 12:26 PM (786Ro)

79 Is anyone else in here appreciative that the top five in rate of return are GOP?

Damn, need to respond to those fundraiser requests, sit at the same table as those guys.

(Frankly, I think we did as well mostly holding some stuff we've had so long that selling involves a three-day wailing session over cap gains, but...)

Posted by: JEM at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (Qh7KG)

80 than = they

Posted by: Hands at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (786Ro)

81 "No way to better himself"? That's the public service spirit! Our forefathers would be proud.

Posted by: Ordinary American at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (H8QX8)

82 >>>Except all the parts that aren't public and happen in closed committee and where information makes its way through a convoluted grapevine between the administrative state and the congress, and the little clauses and paragraphs put in to enable their profit-taking while everyone else figures it out.


and to underscore: information is time-sensitive. Congressmen know this stuff before they give a bunch of speeches on it and Marcus' buddy can analyze all the speeches and forecast a likely political outcome. Congressmen have already locked in their trades by then.

Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (0G13K)

83 If DC is too expensive on a congress man's salary maybe they could stay in their district.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, getting serious about lurking at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (eGTCV)

build a cheap dormitory
Posted by: CN at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (ONvIw)

BOQ, it works for the military, it should work for them...

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (8D42x)

84 Congressmen should not be allowed to invest in individual stocks. I'd go one step further and say that there should be periods of financial stress, or when major spending bills are being discussed, where some outside arbiter declares a moratorium on all market activity by congressmen and their money managers. So, say, during a the negotiations on a spending bill, a moratorium of say ninety days would be declared where congressmen's positions would be frozen.
++++
It's called a "blackout period" and anyone who has ever had inside information knows all about those. At my last firm, I had access to installation volume data. This was considered (because they took a hard line on things) a reasonable proxy for revenue. I never saw dollar figures or who the customers were, just install base change because I needed to know how much stuff was out there so I could do my job. Because the company considered it a proxy, I was considered an "insider" and couldn't trade from one week prior to two weeks after quarterly earnings or major disclosures and reports.

This is normal in the corporate world. If you're an insider, your moves are limited.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (DU+/6)

85 Crenshaw need to patch up his relationships with his constituents.

Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (VJsqe)

86 We must never, EVER! let them fully take over healthcare. They will deny us medical coverage because we once liked a Lauren Southern tweet or filled out a 4473.
Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:24 PM (RaNzC)


I gave up having an argument with medical friends on this. They're so beholding to the system they can't see how evil it is. They straight up say that it makes sense, because the vaccinated stand the best chance of surviving, and besides - if they didn't do this their funding would be pulled. The last part is really where the concern lies.

Posted by: clutch cargo - processed in a facility that may contain lead at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (wAnMi)

87 > Lobbying is hereby illegal.

To my knowledge, lobbying serves at least one genuine purpose.

When idiot lawmakers and their idiot aides come up with a really drop dead stupid idea to regulate industry in a way that will destroy it, lobbyists come along and tell them, "No, dummy. If you do this, five million people will go on welfare tomorrow."

They still manage to destroy business and industry regularly, but I believe it would actually be quite a bit worse if not for this fact.

Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (RaNzC)

88 The House of Representatives should get a union.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (todmg)

89 78: Yes, we need money

Posted by: Heidi at Goldman, Schumer girl at Google at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (ONvIw)

90 Keep your eye on the prize!

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (UHVv4)

91 All in favor? The eyes have it.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (aXKOe)

92 IIRC French Hill is the site of a famous battle in Jerusalem in the War of Independence.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (EZebt)

93 LOL serving as a member of Congress is supposed to be a public service.

It's not supposed to be a way to "better yourself".

Members of Congress should go, do the job, and leave. Getting re-elected isn't their job either.

Posted by: Revenant at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (T4RS9)

94 91 All in favor? The eyes have it.
Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (aXKOe)

=========

Damn your eyes!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (LvTSG)

95 I heard his lame excuses on an interview replay this AM. Hes just a half blind grifter.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (yrol0)

96 "you really think that everything congress people know about betting odds is made public? They do not give straight news, they're always talking up their team's position. They have private evaluations that are different.

Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (0G13K) "

Everything? No, but you can figure a LOT out by people's public calendars, lobbyist appointments, etc. Plus, when bills go through committee you can follow the mark ups and determine when they will get to the floor and a vote. You can read the text and pretty much figure our who will benefit. Look at the annual defense bill or follow the contracts process. It's all there in black and white.

Now, part of the game is timing. People in Congress can potentially get ahead of the crowd by acting on NPI. But that's not only an ethical violation in Congress, it's also potentially an SEC violation.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (VpIIl)

97 All government employees and contractors must have all of their assets in money market accounts with banks with less than $50 million in assets.

They must sell all real estate and rent.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford


you funny, dude.

even the old dollar-a-year-men aren't gonna bail from their real estate.

Posted by: JEM at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (Qh7KG)

98 Dan can get the fuck out of Congress if he likes. We owe him nothing. They make a shit ton of our money. Congressmen work for us. Not the other way around. This is why we hate fucking pols. Self dealing entitled assholes all.

Posted by: USNtakim deplorable still. at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (0OmEj)

99 "You (a Congressman) have no way to better yourself."

THAT IS NOT YOUR FUCKING JOB. YOU GO TO SERVE, NOT ENRICH YOURSELF YOU PIECE OF FILTH

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (KZzsI)

100 I liked Austin Scott in Krampus. Didn't realize he was in Congress, or was such a financial genius.

Posted by: BurtTC at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (YV6PJ)

101 Eh, I get the appearance of impropriety. I believe every person in Congress should have a blind trust. But that being said, these debates are public and if you watch Congress, and read the bills, it's pretty easy to figure out where the money is going and who will get it. I actually have a friend who specializes in this play.
Posted by: Marcus T

Except all the parts that aren't public and happen in closed committee and where information makes its way through a convoluted grapevine between the administrative state and the congress, and the little clauses and paragraphs put in to enable their profit-taking while everyone else figures it out.

It is hugely improper and fraudulent.
Posted by: Joe Mannix

All insider trading is, is knowing a day or two before something happens which allows you to buy or sell before the information becomes public. And yes, it's hugely improper and fraudulent, because they know simply because of their position.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (uXonU)

102 How about serving your constituents and country for a couple of terms then going into the private sector?
Like was the norm for the first 150 years or so since our founding?
Posted by: Fool Otto at January 25, 2022 12:20 PM (DB16e)


Excellent concept, but the main flaw there, is that back in the day, almost everyone that ran and was elected was already an accomplished man, a known success in some non-trivial field of endeavor, and was known personally to many people that wound up voting for them.

Today, the only entry level requirement is that you would have no problem dipping into the public till, won't report illicit behavior amongst your peer Uniparty politicians, and would not mind accepting a free plane ride (or three) to Epstein Island for the "weekend"!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Lie back and think of the sweet graft! ~ at January 25, 2022 12:29 PM (hOUT3)

103 22 Eh, I get the appearance of impropriety. I believe every person in Congress should have a blind trust. But that being said, these debates are public and if you watch Congress, and read the bills, it's pretty easy to figure out where the money is going and who will get it. I actually have a friend who specializes in this play.
Posted by: Marcus T at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (VpIIl)

Bloomberg Government is a paid service that exists for this very reason.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:29 PM (hIom3)

104 Crenshaw need to patch up his relationships with his constituents.
Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM

Maybe a blind trust should be set up. That way, benefitting from bills would only be in the periphery.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:29 PM (aXKOe)

105 > and besides - if they didn't do this their funding would be pulled

We have to save our phony baloney jobs!

Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:29 PM (RaNzC)

106 Crooks and looters all of them.

Abolish Congress.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at January 25, 2022 12:30 PM (a5d7/)

107 and there is no "housing stipend" so they have to pay rents in two different locations.


Come on a my house, my house
I'm-a gonna give you candy
Come on a my house, my house
I'm-a gonna give you everything

Room for one more, honey

Posted by: Kev McCarthy at January 25, 2022 12:30 PM (786Ro)

108 LBJ didn't get rich because Claudia was a sharp investor

Posted by: Heidi at Goldman, Schumer girl at Google at January 25, 2022 12:31 PM (ONvIw)

109 Awww, poor Crenshaw has no way to better himself?

--

Huh. And here I thought he went to Congress to represent his constituents! He should've told them while campaigning and fooling everyone that he wanted to better himself. I think it may have changed a few minds.

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 25, 2022 12:31 PM (sVtYq)

110 Don't question my stock picking faith!!!

Posted by: Dan Crenshaw, stock maven at January 25, 2022 12:31 PM (aKN5B)

111 The Campuchea option beckons.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:31 PM (todmg)

112 (R) they're always coming after me treasures!

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:31 PM (aXKOe)

113 I thought Congress could give themselves raises? Or is that only the Senate?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 25, 2022 12:31 PM (txdEq)

114 Blind trusts would be fine. Broad-spectrum holdings would be fine. Blackout periods would be good.

Or a full asset sequestration. When you're elected, your assets are sequestered completely. Each budget or spending bill you pass that is not fully funded sees your assets reduced by the difference. Pass a budget that is 20% deficit? Your asset base is reduced by 20% and transferred to the Treasury. Pass a budget with a 2% surplus? The Treasury increases your holdings by 2%.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:31 PM (DU+/6)

115 Jiminy crickets, already! Their job is to make the US budget work-
I like Sefton's limits and would add that for the house: no continuing resolutions on the budget and no omnibus bills. Part of the deep state problem is that they exist to get around the rules.

Posted by: ama at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM (ez10z)

116 92-

I got bought the French Hill referred to the swelling associated with certain venereal diseases.

Posted by: BurtTC at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM (YV6PJ)

117 It's not supposed to be a way to "better yourself".

Never heard the expression 'doing well by doing good'? It's what a lot of them believe.

"One must never let oneself be enumerated among the miserable poor" - Talleyrand, Prince de Benevent, Bishop d'Autun, foreign minister to Napoleon and Louis XVIII among other offices, physically deformed Paolo to so many of the brightest lights of French femininity...and my personal idol.

Posted by: JEM at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM (Qh7KG)

118 The Dow is down 300. Man the pumps.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM (todmg)

119 99. The special interests will just hire the family, there's always a work around.

Posted by: Heidi at Goldman, Schumer girl at Google at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM (ONvIw)

120 My comment awaiting moderation at Hot Air after viewing the sidebar post about Ed Morrissy:

I remember being so excited to join the Hot Air community after waiting for months for a limited time open enrollment period to be able to comment. Long timers here will remember that special moment before the comments section was outsourced to Disqus. Hot Air was great back then; even Allahpundit was tolerable and often spot on. I haven't commented here in years and have generally avoided this blog because it is no longer a conservative or libertarian blog. It hasn't been for nearly a decade, maybe longer. I only read this article from Ed because another blog mentioned it and I just couldn't believe that Ed wrote something as inane and contrary to reality as this. I'm sorry to see that the rot has continued apace here at Hot Air.

Posted by: yaedon at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM (ccjkZ)

121 Every district should have a house with attached office for elected Congresspersons. Make them live in the middle of their district for their entire term. Providing easy access to your rep, for us plebs. All hearings, discussions and debates should be done remotely. Once a year, mid-March, they can return to vote.

Posted by: Fool Otto at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM (DB16e)

122 Butt pirates love to bury things.

Posted by: Capital Eff at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM (GYllL)

123 I think I need to follow Rep. Austin Scott from Georgia. He looks to be doing well in the stock market.

Posted by: redridinghood at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (NpAcC)

124 99. The special interests will just hire the family, there's always a work around.
Posted by: Heidi at Goldman, Schumer girl at Google at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM

10% for the big guy!

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (aXKOe)

125 116-

Jeez, autocucumber, you're killing me here.

Posted by: BurtTC at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (YV6PJ)

126 Wolfus, there is an amendment to the Constitution that restricts pay raises to the NEXT Congress. I think they can get themselves the pay raise that is approved by being re-elected.

Posted by: Catherine at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (ZSsrh)

127 People went nuts hen Loeffler did this. Meanwhile she had a blind trust and it was a big nothingburger. Her broker basically acted on the very kind of information I mentioned and did it for all of his clients.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (VpIIl)

128 (goes to find that fantastic rant that someone posted about our One-Eyed Jackass a few days ago)

Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (4NtyV)

129 "You (a Congressman) have no way to better yourself."

except by voting yourselves more raises. Our "public servants" live like kings.

Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (pbStR)

130 He complains that Congressmen aren't paid enough, complaining that the public won't allow them to give themselves a pay raise and there is no "housing stipend" so they have to pay rents in two different locations.
++++
This is true, and it's a serious problem. Washington DC is expensive and we have to maintain a residence here for work and also our residence at home for our families and ourselves when we're out of session. This is why I do ... unspeakable things to cover my rent.

Posted by: Kevin McCarthy at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (DU+/6)

131 Excellent concept, but the main flaw there, is that back in the day, almost everyone that ran and was elected was already an accomplished man, a known success in some non-trivial field of endeavor, and was known personally to many people that wound up voting for them.


Except now, almost every one of them is a grifting lawyer. No shortage of ways to make money once they pivot back to the private sector.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (uXonU)

132 113 I thought Congress could give themselves raises? Or is that only the Senate?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 25, 2022 12:31 PM (txdEq)
--
Sure they can. They can pass a spending bill and spend more money on themselves. The Senate has to pass it, and the President has to sign it.

They don't want to do that because they get hammered publicly for voting themselves a raise with taxpayer dollars.

So they just engage in corruption and insider trading instead.

Posted by: Revenant at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (T4RS9)

133 One fun way to handle this...

On election ALL assets of the politician are put into a trust.

Every 2 years it is grown, or reduced, by how much the American per capita GDP has grown or shrunk.

Want to do BBB? Prepare to lose 20% of your wealth assholes.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (ESjRY)

134 "You (a Congressman) have no way to better yourself."


1) Quit Congress.
2) Learn to code*
3) Better


*(learn a trade, learn a skill, learn ^something^ besides how to look/sound good on TV and Twitter).

Posted by: Hands at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (786Ro)

135 Congress should only be able to give a raise to themselves if the dollar raises in value, and even then only to the next election of congress, never the current one.

And they should get paid small amounts, because the attraction is supposed to be the service and representing the people, not enriching or "bettering" yourself.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (KZzsI)

136 Compared to Hillary's pork belly futures luck, they're all pikers.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:33 PM (todmg)

137 Chinas Foreign Ministry attacks Second Amendment rights in U.S.

One gun shot after another has left countless bullet holes in the American dream.

Dude you all killed 50 million over a little red book!

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (yrol0)

138 This. And Please, PLEASE, can we have a Constitutional amendment or whatever it takes to prevent the Congress critters from voting their own pay increases and benefits.

Posted by: Sphynx at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (rXie1)

139 99 "You (a Congressman) have no way to better yourself."

THAT IS NOT YOUR FUCKING JOB. YOU GO TO SERVE, NOT ENRICH YOURSELF YOU PIECE OF FILTH
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:28 PM (KZzsI)


Perhaps making service in public office feel, pay and look the same as being in the military - the foot soldiers not the brass at the Pentagon - we might be on to something.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (s2VJv)

140 Ace bettered himself by using his position to get 2 stickers AND a hat for investing in the military brewery.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (F4b8f)

141 I still can't believe that Jon Ossoff is the Senator that introduced this legislation. R's got burned by the press in 2020 over stock trades, and they couldn't get it together to get in front of this themselves and do something about it?

I swear, these GOPes play checkers, while the Dems play...three-dimensional checkers.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (hIom3)

142 yaedon, if what you put up is the comment you have awaiting moderation at HA, I suspect you'll have a long wait.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (5pTK/)

143 if they didn't do this their funding would be pulled. The last part is really where the concern lies.
Posted by: clutch cargo - processed in a facility that may contain lead at January 25, 2022 12:27 PM (wAnMi)


Listen Doc, if you prescribe ivermectin or HCQ, we'll destroy your medical license and reputation so thoroughly you won't be able to ride in an ambulance as an EMT! But let your conscience be your guide, OK!

Posted by: NIH/CDC Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Lie back and think of the sweet graft! ~ at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (hOUT3)

144 111 The Campuchea option beckons.
Posted by: Boss Moss


You start with the universities. I'll send you a textbook.

Posted by: Pol Pothead, California Khmer Rouge Chair at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (Qh7KG)

145 Representatives and Senators should be paid by their state based on how well they represent their constituents. If the people of their state and district believe they are well represented then those same people can make sure their congress critters are adequately compensated.
The housing issue should be resolved with dormitory housing for all reps and senators for the state they represent. The state owns the building and pays for maintenance, security, utilities and the congress critters get a small one bedroom apartment rent free.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (Vxu+H)

146 In case people don't play cards, a one-eyed jack is a wild card. A maverick, if you will.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 12:35 PM (4NtyV)

147 Stay long enough to collect a pension. Graft is just a side job.

Posted by: Infidel at January 25, 2022 12:35 PM (qpolg)

148 He complains that Congressmen aren't paid enough, complaining that the public won't allow them to give themselves a pay raise and there is no "housing stipend" so they have to pay rents in two different locations.
++++
I hear this argument. I also do believe it. Washington is expensive and you have to live there and find a way to pay for it.

But none of these people ever consider payment in-kind. If housing is that big a problem for congressmen, then house them. Build a couple of apartment towers owned by the US government and use them to put up congressmen. Go ahead and even make them nice.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:35 PM (DU+/6)

149 The Dow is down 300. Man the pumps.
-------------------------------------------------------
Kamala and Pelosi are going to save the day??

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at January 25, 2022 12:35 PM (UHVv4)

150 Red Flag Dan NeoConShaw has been officially inducted into the RINO enablers of the deep state. He's likely getting tips from the Bush/Rove Axis of Weasels and is a fully co-opted Neocon now.

This is why he supports Liz Cheney. He is not to be trusted. He is being groomed for a Senate seat. Throw him out now.

Posted by: Dantes at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (tpxOj)

151 Crenshaw complains of having to pay rents in two places. With the internet, congressmen should be able to work from their home states, cutting down on costs and being closer to their constituents. LOL don't you know they'd LOVE that?

Posted by: abbynormal at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (Xpj5t)

152 143. CMS

Posted by: CN The First at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (ONvIw)

153 Crenshaw is a Texas Congressman. He acts like he is from Illinois or NY. There aren't better people in Texas than he?

Posted by: Baldy at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (oaKMh)

154 My comment awaiting moderation at Hot Air after viewing the sidebar post about Ed Morrissy:

I remember being so excited to join the Hot Air community after waiting for months for a limited time open enrollment period to be able to comment. Long timers here will remember that special moment before the comments section was outsourced to Disqus. Hot Air was great back then; even Allahpundit was tolerable and often spot on. I haven't commented here in years and have generally avoided this blog because it is no longer a conservative or libertarian blog. It hasn't been for nearly a decade, maybe longer. I only read this article from Ed because another blog mentioned it and I just couldn't believe that Ed wrote something as inane and contrary to reality as this. I'm sorry to see that the rot has continued apace here at Hot Air.

Posted by: yaedon at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM


I have followed ed morrisey since his captain's quarters days. After he moved to HA and michelle malkin sold the place he has turned into an apology machine for liberals.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (bVYXr)

155 Posted by: yaedon at January 25, 2022 12:32 PM

I haven't been there and years. I used to frequent and comment there. I did the same when Ed had his own blog (Capitan's Quarters) before Tepid Error. I am fine with disagreeing here and there with a blog post etc. It's quite another that they abandoned their core for money. It was like a Daily Kos site spinoff. No thanks.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (aXKOe)

156 >>I swear, these GOPes play checkers, while the Dems play...three-dimensional checkers.
Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (hIom3)
===

We know Crenshaw is playing 2-D checkers



Posted by: J. Frank Parnell at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (O6DoG)

157 Here's the thing, only 35 out of 535, or 6.5% of these dirtbags could beat the market using inside information.

And these geniuses are running the country?!

Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (ELgVT)

158 Maybe they need to get a side hustle.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (todmg)

159 The Kampuchea option beckons.
----------------------------------------------
Just give me time to toss my reading glasses first.

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (UHVv4)

160 There's no doubt there are illegal trades based on insider info happening. It's the layers upon layers of bureaucracy that obfuscate it.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (BFigT)

161 148 I hear this argument. I also do believe it. Washington is expensive and you have to live there and find a way to pay for it.

But none of these people ever consider payment in-kind. If housing is that big a problem for congressmen, then house them. Build a couple of apartment towers owned by the US government and use them to put up congressmen. Go ahead and even make them nice.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:35 PM (DU+/6)

=========

Required housing, like Freshman at college.

They must be there at 8 pm every night, and lights out at 10. If they are not there on time, they get docked a day's pay.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (LvTSG)

162 I think the key is it has to include the elected official AND their family. Because we know they get book deals and sell art....

Posted by: Iris at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (DibdT)

163 How much was Crenshaw making pre Congress?

Posted by: N.L. Urker, getting serious about lurking at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (eGTCV)

164 Let's gouge his other eye out.

Posted by: Puddin Head at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (tiR3O)

165 Crenshaws momentary and accidental honesty belies his avaricious sense of entitlement

Posted by: 7man at January 25, 2022 12:37 PM (qwO6y)

166 Stocks?

Bonds?

Why didn't you grifters tell me about that???

Posted by: Jefferson Smith at January 25, 2022 12:37 PM (txdEq)

167 blake, you would be correct if I was actually waiting around. lol

semi lurker in marginal standing. nice! I identify with that.

Posted by: yaedon at January 25, 2022 12:37 PM (ccjkZ)

168 The Dow is down 300. Man the pumps.
-------------------------------------------------------
Kamala and Pelosi are going to save the day??
Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at January 25, 2022 12:35 PM

Well Kamala is good at pumping the man.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:37 PM (aXKOe)

169 156 - LOL

Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (VJsqe)

170 what's the difference between a plantation and a farm, if any?
Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (0G13K)

the columns in front of the house?

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (8D42x)

171 >>> ce bettered himself by using his position to get 2 stickers AND a hat for investing in the military brewery.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 25, 2022 12:34 PM (F4b8f)


And there's a nice blond in the ad

Posted by: banana Dream at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (fXKnJ)

172 "You (a Congressman) have no way to better yourself."

Narrator: At your expense, taxpayer.

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (4I/2K)

173 Whole lot of people saying the quiet part out loud.

NBC's Kelly O'Donnell on Biden calling reporter a 'stupid son of a bitch':

"He does not like when questions are asked about a subject other than the planned event."


https://bit.ly/3nXcI4e

Oh, OK. So you exploit that and intentionally ask off topic questions to antagonize him and get your splashy soundbite right? No? You only do that when POTUS is a Republican?

Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (RaNzC)

174 159 The Kampuchea option beckons.
----------------------------------------------
Just give me time to toss my reading glasses first.
--------------------
They charge for plastic bags now.

Posted by: Puddin Head at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (tiR3O)

175 Having a side piece is expensive, how else are you gonna pay for it?

Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (HaPdD)

176 $31 mill will buy a lot of beer, hookers, and blow --
But mostly hookers and blow
Hunter's future's so bright, he's gotta wear shades ...

Posted by: ShainS -- at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (Q7k3u)

177 22 Eh, I get the appearance of impropriety. I believe every person in Congress should have a blind trust. But that being said, these debates are public and if you watch Congress, and read the bills, it's pretty easy to figure out where the money is going and who will get it. I actually have a friend who specializes in this play.
Posted by: Marcus T at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (VpIIl)
________________________
Yes and no. Much of what is "insider" trading isn't truly non-public in the sense that nobody outside of a select group of insiders knows about. Most of the valuable insider trading is actually public or semi-public but the value of the insider is in focusing you on what is important. Reading Congressional debates and bills is mostly noise. But a call from someone in the know that x is about to happen and the result will be y? That's the valuable stuff.

The other kind of "insider" trading isn't really insider trading at all. It's just knowing the VC and PE guys who will allow you to participate in their deals. I have little doubt that THIS is how politicians make the most of their investment returns.

Posted by: Elric Blade at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (iFTx/)

178 These idiots can't even win a rigged game.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (todmg)

179 Having a side piece is expensive, how else are you gonna pay for it?
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at January 25, 2022 12:38 PM (HaPdD)
++++
By offering her a clerical position in your office and putting her directly on the government payroll?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (DU+/6)

180 Build a couple of apartment towers owned by the US government and use them to put up congressmen. Go ahead and even make them nice.

Yeah build some nice condos to house them in when they are in DC. Strict housing rules. Make the place tolerable but make them prefer to live in their home state.

I mean... these days, do they REALLY have to be in Washington to do their jobs?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (KZzsI)

181 Crenshaw is a Texas Congressman. He acts like he is from Illinois or NY. There aren't better people in Texas than he?

Posted by: Baldy at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM


He talked a good game and was a fresh face with zero political record to judge him on.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (bVYXr)

182 Well Kamala is good at pumping the man.
Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:37 PM (aXKOe)

-----
She's a good fit with Biden. The ol' pump & dump scheme.

Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (VJsqe)

183 Any admissions of fallibility from the Vote Harder mavens?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (y7DUB)

184 More proof Crenshaw is nothing more than a DIABLO.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (iDcra)

185 The only way to stop this is to make insider trading a capital offense for congresscritters..

That's not going to happen

So what needs to happen is for for Congress to authorize the creation of new investment vehicles indexed to the whatever is in their own portfolios.


At least this way the general public can dip their toes into Congress's corruption trough.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (lTTSV)

186 I hear this argument. I also do believe it. Washington is expensive and you have to live there and find a way to pay for it.

Which 6 million other people figure out how to do without the benefit of $174,000 salaries.

Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (ELgVT)

187 It is a measure of how stupid the other 400 are that they have access to insider information and still underperformed the S & P 500.

Posted by: Ted Torgerson at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (vN+oL)

188 I hear this argument. I also do believe it. Washington is expensive and you have to live there and find a way to pay for it.
**

Let them live in Section 8 housing. The end.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (4NtyV)

189 175 Having a side piece is expensive, how else are you gonna pay for it?


dan can't have a side piece

he can't see her - no peripheral vision

Posted by: Black Orchid at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (j9HX3)

190 Paying rent in two places is expensive? Yeah, okay. You can get a nice studio apartment in DC for $1,800. You don't need more than that. Throw in $200 for utilities and round it off to $2,000. Let's give Congress a $24,000 housing allowance (except for Maryland and Virginia reps whose districts are within an hour of DC) and be done with it.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (duc/2)

191 Every Congress person should be offered a barracks room At Andrews. No charge.

Posted by: Capital Eff at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (GYllL)

192 I had a feeling this Cyberpunk 2077 PS5 install was going to take a while...

About an hour to install the game from the disc...and then a 44 GB update that's been downloading in the background and is only half done by the time the disc finishes its install.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (LvTSG)

193 152, I agree

Posted by: NIH/CDC/CMS Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Lie back and think of the sweet graft! ~ at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (hOUT3)

194 Crenshaw should be primaried

Posted by: CN The First at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (ONvIw)

195 170 what's the difference between a plantation and a farm, if any?
Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (0G13K)

the columns in front of the house?
-------------------
Plantations were corporate (or big business) operations. Farms were merely a family operation.

Posted by: Puddin Head at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (tiR3O)

196 A plantation is a very big farm. An upgrade.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (todmg)

197 How can I become wealthy if I can't use the public trust and my official government position as collateral?

You've got to be fucking kidding me. It's an admission of the grossest kind of corruption. You think all that info he receives is free-flowing, comes with no strings?

Imagine a judge saying this. Why's a congressman different? They pass the laws the judges apply.

This is a literal hanging offense. If you can't see why, please refamiliarize yourself with the course materials from Hangings 101.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (3YVs3)

198 To be fair I'm sure Crenshaw buys his suits at Suits R Us.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, getting serious about lurking at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (eGTCV)

199 So. Imma say this about that.

This is misleading using statistics. I know, shocking, people do this. To say that Crenshaw edged out Pelosi in ROR v $SPY is, technically, true. But Pelosi made WAY more money than Crenshaw because she has tens of millions of dollars in, and Crenshaw didn't have all that much in way of investments.

There was never any question that the CARES act was going to pass (Senate, 96-0. House 419-6), and it was easy enough to know what was in it, actually. If you had any money available at the time, buying Boeing in March of 2021 was almost a nobrainer. It was at a 5 year low, and Boeing is a too big to fail for the US, and it was going to bounce back. (Oh if you are so smart why didn't you buy some? Did, thanks for asking.)

At any rate, if all you did was buy Boeing in March, you had better than doubled your money by the end of the year. So, if Crenshaw had invested $30k (which is what his spokesman says) then he probably made about $30k.

Crenshaw is threading a lot of needles. And he's got some worrisome aspects. But he is on our side for the most part, and I am not ready to throw him on the ash heap of history for this.

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (9otr5)

200 Crenshaw should be primaried
Posted by: CN The First at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM

I think he could be blindsided by that effort.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (aXKOe)

201 About an hour to install the game from the disc...and then a 44 GB update that's been downloading in the background and is only half done by the time the disc finishes its install.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (LvTSG)

That download was a monster

Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (CjHGv)

202 181

He talked a good game and was a fresh face with zero political record to judge him on.
Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM
-----------

Well, a fresh most-of-a-face, anyway.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (duc/2)

203 DOW has crossed 34,000 about 15 times today ... seems like a key support level. BUT it did break it substantially yesterday, intraday ... then closed above it.

Statements from Fed Reserve tomorrow ... but that is just talk to boost markets, project confidence.

Posted by: illiniwek at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (Cus5s)

204 Crenshaw should be primaried

I suspect his political future is in serious doubt after this past year. The guy is acting very arrogant and stupid.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (KZzsI)

205 Why shouldn't congressman be allowed to better themselves?
===
you may do so, in the same way that others are allowed to do so.

your pretense that you are simply doing what an average joe is doing, is belied by the fact that you are a congressman, with privilege and information the average joe does not have.
Sociopaths are the reason why we can't have anything nice. They really don't see why the rules should apply to them at all. And, this belief really takes off when they are in positions of power.

Posted by: Sociopaths gotta sociopath at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (iDJry)

206 Meanwhile a Republican from Colorado is apparently in deep sh*t because his son asked his secretary to proofread a resume.

Nation of men, suckers. And you're not on the list.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (4NtyV)

207 How about you just invest in a mutual fund like a normal american?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (dNqv+)

208 Mutual Funds are a popular thing.
There are also Index Funds.
Lots of people use blind trusts.

Congress should use them too.

Posted by: rd at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (Z32m1)

209 I swear, these GOPes play checkers, while the Dems play...three-dimensional checkers.'

--

In terms of political effectiveness, the D's are piloting the Space Shuttle, while the R's are pulling quacky ducks on a string behind them.

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (sVtYq)

210 Which 6 million other people figure out how to do without the benefit of $174,000 salaries.
Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (ELgVT)
++++
Most of whom don't also have primary residences elsewhere and families to support back in those places. It could be done on $174k, but it would be tight depending on where you're from.

I don't think a housing offset is unreasonable, but I also don't see why we need to hurl more direct cash at them to buy luxury digs. I'd much prefer that the government just build and administer decently nice two-bedroom condos in a new complex for them. They have a nice place to bathe, sleep, eat and work (second bedroom is a home office).

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (DU+/6)

211 The number of cancer diagnoses in the militarys DMED system went from a 5-year average (2016-2020) of 38,700 per year to 114,645 in the first 11 months of 2021. This is a predominately young population.

Unlike VAERS where the naysayers can suggest that anyone can submit, this is only by military doctors and quantifies every single ICD code in the military for tri care billing of Humana.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (yrol0)

212
The House of Representatives should get a union.
Posted by: Boss Moss


And go on strike

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (63Dwl)

213 The chart above understates the insider trading information. Friends and families also get the scoop. Sen. Burr, for example, gave his brother a headsup which is why he is currently facing a very slow Ethics investigation.

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (Iq9dF)

214 build a cheap dormitory
Posted by: CN at January 25, 2022 12:19 PM (ONvIw)

Tent Cities
Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Lie back and think of the sweet graft! ~ at January 25, 2022 12:21 PM (hOUT3)

Open Bay Barracks with a coal fired pot belly stove in the middle. I'm sure there used to be some on various bases in the area. May still be some left.

Posted by: Fox2! at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (qyH+l)

215 Why not buy very low end crypto and keep talking about it in Congress and on TV.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (todmg)

216 Crenshaw is threading a lot of needles. And he's got some worrisome aspects. But he is on our side for the most part, and I am not ready to throw him on the ash heap of history for this.
Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (9otr5)
------------

Crenshaw supports red flag laws. He needs to go.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (5pTK/)

217 Crenshaw is threading a lot of needles. And he's got some worrisome aspects. But he is on our side for the most part, and I am not ready to throw him on the ash heap of history for this.

He's acting like an ass and is not irreplaceable in Texas.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (KZzsI)

218 Didn't Martha Stewart end up in the hoosegaw for some of this nebulous insider trading?

Not it's not a precise analogy. But it's the same type of shuffle where people with insider knowledge not available to a normally well informed investor take advantage of the system.

A friend of mine commented over 40 years ago, "If you want to be a dealmaker, wheeler dealer type, go ahead and do so. But you can't do that while you're running for or in office and saying you will be neutral and making sure everyone is treated by the same set of rules.

Posted by: RM at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM (U3LtS)

219 Go ahead and even make them nice.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:35 PM (DU+/6)
===
I shudder at the depravity this simple license would engender.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (EZebt)

220 >>> A plantation is a very big farm. An upgrade.
Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (todmg)


A farm is a very big garden.

Posted by: banana Dream at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (fXKnJ)

221 201 About an hour to install the game from the disc...and then a 44 GB update that's been downloading in the background and is only half done by the time the disc finishes its install.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (LvTSG)

That download was a monster
Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM (CjHGv)

========

Rumors of the big patch to fix the PS5 version convinced me to go ahead and get the thing. I imagine it should function without it, though. I probably won't hate the $20 price tag for the experience.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (LvTSG)

222 While Crenshaw is the target here, I was displeased that one of my local congresscritters is above him: John Curtis.

What, exactly, is he doing I'd like to know?

Posted by: Rafal Gan Ganowicz at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (DN0pc)

223 Have we done any pirate jokes about Crenshaw yet?

Posted by: Jefferson Smith at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (txdEq)

224 Meanwhile a Republican from Colorado is apparently in deep sh*t because his son asked his secretary to proofread a resume.

And this is unethical or illegal how???

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (KZzsI)

225 My personal rate of return was pretty great last year - 20 percent or more- and I have zero inside info. But the timing of Crenshaw's buy orders is bad.

Posted by: LASue at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (Ed8Zd)

226 >>Crenshaw supports red flag laws.

So did Trump.

DeSantis 2024.

Posted by: Capital Eff at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (GYllL)

227 And BTW- who is behind Unusual Whales? Probably a good question to ask...

Posted by: Marcus T at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (VpIIl)

228 150 Red Flag Dan NeoConShaw has been officially inducted into the RINO enablers of the deep state. He's likely getting tips from the Bush/Rove Axis of Weasels and is a fully co-opted Neocon now.

This is why he supports Liz Cheney. He is not to be trusted. He is being groomed for a Senate seat. Throw him out now.
Posted by: Dantes at January 25, 2022 12:36 PM (tpxOj)

That makes perfect sense, but I never thought of that angle.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (hIom3)

229 I suspect his political future is in serious doubt after this past year. The guy is acting very arrogant and stupid.

--

I'd sure like to know the general feeling of those in his district who voted for him. Are they following along with just where he's at and what he's really about? I hope so.

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (sVtYq)

230 Didn't Martha Stewart end up in the hoosegaw for some of this nebulous insider trading?

No, they couldn't convict her on that. They jailed her for "lying to a federal officer" which shouldn't even be a crime.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (KZzsI)

231 Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:40 PM (LvTSG)

That download was a monster
Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at January 25, 2022 12:41 PM

You should try x-plane and MS flight sim. Ho Lee Fuk! MS took a full day. I bought a separate CPU just for my flight sims. The MS one sucks, it's worse than the older version and it has to update shit almost every time you use it.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (aXKOe)

232 By offering her a clerical position in your office and putting her directly on the government payroll?
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:39 PM (DU+/6)

Worked for me!

Posted by: Joe Scarborough,Murderer at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (a5d7/)

233 Plantations were owned by wealthy families and worked on by poor people, either slaves or sharecroppers. They were located in fertile lands and would often be thousands of acres. Farms were smaller, worked on by the family that owned them, and were usually less fertile soil and less profitable.

Posted by: Ted Torgerson at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (vN+oL)

234 No.

Congressmen and women should not be there to "better themselves." Public office already attracts all kinds of rubbish who run for office, accumulate modest fame and familiarity with the swamp, and thereafter get hired as lobbyists and advisors by firms that would have never touched them before the swamp stains. Watch, for example, Kinzinger's and Gonzalez's next moves.

Your financial position should not improve in public service. Congresspeople should be offered a chow hall and barracks like the military. We should reduce their salaries to match the national average wage and reduce their benefits, especially healthcare, to match average national market compensation. Contribution-based retirement.

We would have a much more dedicated, honest group of officials if there was not such immediate and profound personal financial interests on the table.

Posted by: turnout man at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (7CyhL)

235 So I guess the ones who didn't make a good rate of return were not aggressive enough,, smart enough or too honest (May somebody in Congress be honest, Lord)

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (k49Sx)

236 223 Have we done any pirate jokes about Crenshaw yet?
Posted by: Jefferson Smith at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (txdEq)

-----
Q: Why are pirates so damn funny?

A: They just arrrrrrr

Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (VJsqe)

237 Biden stopped FL and other states from using the effective monoclonal antibody treatments. Removed the Emergency Use authorization.Trials were dismal on one treatment left. Ball in your court Governors.

Posted by: EveR at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (MUpk6)

238 Can anyone name a single position or issue on which Crenshaw is the indispensable man? Or even one on which he stands out from any GOP suit we could vote into his Texas district?

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (3YVs3)

239 Ben Crenshaw>Dan Crenshaw

Posted by: mr tmz at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (m/Gc2)

240 And this is unethical or illegal how???
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (KZzsI)
++++
As far as I know it's this: he is a politician running for office and his son is a government employee, so when the son asked his secretary to proofread and edit his father's resume, it is a misappropriation of government resources and direct support from a government official to a candidate, which is forbidden and against campaign law.

Of course, Hunter Biden can sell those paintings for half a million bucks to a bunch of Chinese communists while daddy's president and it's all totally above board.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (DU+/6)

241 Dan's just keeping an eye on his money

Posted by: REDACTED at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (us2H3)

242 That "there's no way to better yourself" and "you have to pay for two houses" stuff... that sounds like the parts you aren't supposed to say out loud, but ever freshman congressman is told by the people who corrupt them.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (KZzsI)

243 Lots of people use blind trusts.

Congress should use them too.


Talk about "blind trust", sending someone to Washington to represent you...

Tell you what, Congressmen, YOU go to Washington, and WE will manage your investments for you! Ha, that would be fun.

Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (DMQdU)

244 I like how we're supposed to pretend Honest Dan is paying for every expense in DC, down to the penny.
No free meals, no free health care, no free flights or rides, etc.

That's on top of pretending being in Congress is a full-time job, clocking in 8am for 50 weeks a year.

Posted by: Well at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (q9ZVX)

245 Don't lie to Federal Cops. Tell them to go fuck themselves.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (todmg)

246 There's no doubt there are illegal trades based on insider info happening. It's the layers upon layers of bureaucracy that obfuscate it.
Posted by: Martini Farmer


Pfizer approval of the clot shot and government reimbursement.

Tell me, with a straight face, that they didn't know the particulars.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (uXonU)

247 No, they couldn't convict her on that. They jailed her for "lying to a federal officer" which shouldn't even be a crime.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (KZzsI)
---------------

Especially when those "lies" turn out to be merely a flawed memory of events.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (5pTK/)

248
LOL, I can't stand Crenshaw... but "MoC X is a crook" is simply not a news story.

Every single one of them, with the *possible* exception of Rand Paul, is a financial criminal. Of all the corruption in DC (and it's a glorious, glittering rainbow of corruption), the insider trading is universal.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (Cf/uA)

249 So 35 out of 435 congressmen beat SPY (in 2021.) 400 did worse than SPY. Sounds about par for the course among stock-picking investors.

For the most part, they should just buy one of the SPY ETFs.

Posted by: gp Has Been Put On Notice at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (qpX6U)

250 > what's the difference between a plantation and a farm, if any?

I think there's no bright line difference. In theory a plantation is an estate with resident laborers. Typically they grew coffee, sugar, or tobacco.

I suppose a farm would be slightly different if it's a single family where your resident laborers are members of your family.

But then the lines get blurry if you start prodding the definition. Is a large ranch with a ranch house that houses ranch hands a plantation? As long as you don't grow coffee or anything, you're good?

Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (RaNzC)

251 No, they couldn't convict her on that. They jailed her for "lying to a federal officer" which shouldn't even be a crime.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (KZzsI)

-----
No love for Martha Stewart here, but she was railroaded. It was the stock equivalent of a southern sheriff pulling a car over, smashing the headlight with their nightstick, and writing them up for a broken headlight.

Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (VJsqe)

252 when the son asked his secretary to proofread and edit his father's resume, it is a misappropriation of government resources and direct support from a government official to a candidate, which is forbidden and against campaign law.

Only if he had her to it on company time.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (KZzsI)

253 Have we done any pirate jokes about Crenshaw yet?
Posted by: Jefferson Smith at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (txdEq)

-----
Q: Why are pirates so damn funny?

A: They just arrrrrrr
Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022


***
Fifteen Congresspersons on a dead man's chest

Posted by: Jefferson Smith at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (txdEq)

254 How about every Congress Critter has to post their and their Parents, Siblings, and Children's stock and bond transactions on a Congresssional website within 12 hours of making the trades.

I will even give them the caveat that it must be over some dollar amount to qualify, like $1,000 or $5,000, and they don't have to exactly specify the amount of the trade.

Transparency.

Posted by: rd at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (Z32m1)

255 Dan's just keeping an eye on his money

Dan knows you can't catch a falling knife. Well, he can't.

Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (DMQdU)

256 Tulsi v Crenshaw : The Bartertown Brawl

Posted by: 2028 AD at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (cfMQA)

257 239 Ben Crenshaw>Dan Crenshaw
Posted by: mr tmz at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (m/Gc2)

Crenshaw melons> Dan Crenshaw

Posted by: CN The First at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (ONvIw)

258 Most of whom don't also have primary residences elsewhere and families to support back in those places. It could be done on $174k, but it would be tight depending on where you're from.

I don't think a housing offset is unreasonable, but I also don't see why we need to hurl more direct cash at them to buy luxury digs. I'd much prefer that the government just build and administer decently nice two-bedroom condos in a new complex for them. They have a nice place to bathe, sleep, eat and work (second bedroom is a home office).

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:42 PM


Make them like the military. Housing allowance is based on pay grade (seniority) and zip code. Turn off the stock market insider stuff and give them cash to rent/buy a house in DC up to their allowance limit.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (bVYXr)

259 Though, despite what I said above, I think that banning trading in individual stocks while in office is a good idea. I would go a step further and say blind trust.

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (9otr5)

260 Ben Crenshaw>Dan Crenshaw
Posted by: mr tmz at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (m/Gc2)

Crenshaw Melon>Ben Crenshaw>Dan Crenshaw

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (a5d7/)

261 This black-haired girl exiting the pool is unsympathetic to congressional poor-mouthing:
https://is.gd/D6PWUb

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (DU+/6)

262
Tell you what, Congressmen, YOU go to Washington, and WE will manage your investments for you! Ha, that would be fun.
Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (DMQdU)

I like it

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (lCui1)

263 Mitch doesn't have to worry much about any of this nonsense.

Posted by: Mitch McConnell's Financial Advisor at January 25, 2022 12:48 PM (GYllL)

264 I mean... these days, do they REALLY have to be in Washington to do their jobs?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

No, they don't and federal agencies do not need their rank and file in DC either. There is a reason that the counties with the highest median income are now almost exclusively around DC.

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 12:48 PM (Iq9dF)

265 Mark Steyn noted a few years ago that there was a certain amount of amusement in Canada because an incumbent member of parliament had failed to get reelected, and then took a job as a bouncer at a strip club.

Steyn noted that this sort of thing never happens to US members of Congress - get elected for a term or two, and you are set for life. You never have to go back to a low-status job.

In that sense, the legislative rot in Canada is less profound than in the United States.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at January 25, 2022 12:48 PM (I2/tG)

266 "what's the difference between a plantation and a farm, if any?"

Plantations have more pickin 'n' grinnin.

Posted by: gp Has Been Put On Notice at January 25, 2022 12:48 PM (qpX6U)

267 No love for Martha Stewart here, but she was railroaded. It was the stock equivalent of a southern sheriff pulling a car over, smashing the headlight with their nightstick, and writing them up for a broken headlight.
-------------------
Wasn't Comey the US Attorney railroading her?

Posted by: Puddin Head at January 25, 2022 12:48 PM (tiR3O)

268 Fifteen Congresspersons on a dead man's chest
Posted by: Jefferson Smith at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM

Yo HoHo and a bottle of dumb......Joe Biden.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:48 PM (aXKOe)

269 En fuego!

Posted by: That Guy who shouts "En fuego!" at January 25, 2022 12:48 PM (a3Q+t)

270 Meanwhile a Republican from Colorado is apparently in deep sh*t because his son asked his secretary to proofread a resume.

And this is unethical or illegal how???
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (KZzsI)

Because he's a Republican. Duh!

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (uXonU)

271
I am totally fine with a housing complex for elected officials. How expensive could 535 dank, unventilated rodent-infested oubliettes with straw mats on the floor cost to build?

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (Cf/uA)

272 Mitch's son is the biggest weed farmer in Kentucky.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (todmg)

273 260 Ben Crenshaw>Dan Crenshaw
Posted by: mr tmz at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (m/Gc2)

Crenshaw Melon>Ben Crenshaw>Dan Crenshaw
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at January 25, 2022 12:47 PM (a5d7/)

Crenshaw Melon>Ben Crenshaw>Marshall Crenshaw>Dan Crenshaw

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (hIom3)

274 Who's this Austin Scott guy? Is he single?

Posted by: IrishEi at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (0TVNF)

275 271
I am totally fine with a housing complex for elected officials. How expensive could 535 dank, unventilated rodent-infested oubliettes with straw mats on the floor cost to build?
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (Cf/uA)

=========

On the no bid contract?

$3.7 billion.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (LvTSG)

276 Lolololol.

I just posted a single word over at Hot Air and got sent to moderation. The word?

Malkin

Posted by: yaedon at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (ccjkZ)

277 Ol' Man Crenshaw from Boggy Creek > Dan Crenshaw

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Who Dis? at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (xPJvm)

278
plantation: racist
farm: owned by Bill Gates

Posted by: Hands at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (786Ro)

279 Crenshaw referred to Jesus as an archetype.
Fail.

Posted by: Capital Eff at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (GYllL)

280 Also I'll note that Crenshaw is a public sector guy under 40 and somehow has a net worth around $3M. Cry me a river. (Someone else can make a joke about river flow volume.) He is so far ahead of the overwhelming majority of people his age without ever having put in time in "for-profit" endeavors.

Posted by: turnout man at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (7CyhL)

281 That "there's no way to better yourself" and "you have to pay for two houses" stuff... that sounds like the parts you aren't supposed to say out loud, but ever freshman congressman is told by the people who corrupt them.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:46 PM (KZzsI)

He's a sophomore, heading into his 2nd re-election campaign.

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (4I/2K)

282 six navy SEALs are running to oust Nancy Pelosi, but some times I wonder if it will do any god.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (ZMraq)

283 This is textbook insider trading. Yet if I get an insider tip and use it to realize the same profit, I go directly to jail. They have their own healthcare system, their own laws and can even raise their own pay. Two Americas, indeed.

Posted by: Citizen Cake at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (HmZuC)

284 May I remind you, Crenshaw, like Bolton and Mattis before him, was near-worshipped here for a while.

Put not your faith in princes.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (a3Q+t)

285 Meanwhile a Republican from Colorado is apparently in deep sh*t because his son asked his secretary to proofread a resume.

And this is unethical or illegal how???

--

I'm guessing the bruhaha is because she in on the taxpayer's payroll.

Wonder how this earth-shattering story that affects every man, woman and child (/sarc) even saw the light of day. Squealing secretary?

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (sVtYq)

286 Didn't Crenshaw not too long ago call Jesus and architype on pod cast?

Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (CjHGv)

287 plantation: racist
farm: owned by Bill Gates
Posted by: Hands at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM

Chinese Job provider, Apple, Nike, The NBA, Etc. etc.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (aXKOe)

288 "what's the difference between a plantation and a farm, if any?"


Plantation owner has house slaves and field slaves.
Farm owner? You are the slave.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (uXonU)

289 "No, they couldn't convict her on that. They jailed her for "lying to a federal officer" which shouldn't even be a crime."

Especially since FBI will lie, threaten, confuse, ask the same questions multiple times .. basically entrapment, as they did with Flynn (and 10,000 others?). It is what they do to political enemies. (when they are not luring people into the White House for an Insurrection false flag)

Posted by: illiniwek at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (Cus5s)

290 >>272 Mitch's son is the biggest weed farmer in Kentucky.

God bless him.

Posted by: John Boehner at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (GYllL)

291
On the no bid contract?

$3.7 billion.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (LvTSG)

Cheap at twice the price. I just want to be sure the contractor is qualified. Maybe some holdover from the Khmer Rouge or something. Someone with experience.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (Cf/uA)

292 I just posted a single word over at Hot Air and got sent to moderation. The word?

Malkin


That's not fair!

Posted by: Evgeni Malkin, Great Hockey Player! at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (I2/tG)

293 I am totally fine with a housing complex for elected officials. How expensive could 535 dank, unventilated rodent-infested oubliettes with straw mats on the floor cost to build?
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (Cf/uA)
--------------

In DC? Probably about what it cost to build a three bedroom two bath 1600 sq ft home elsewhere in the us.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (5pTK/)

294 $SPYs ROR for 2021 was about 35%.

All you would need to do to beat it, under the metrics of this chart, is own $SPY and one penny stock that did better than 35%.

This is a bogus attempt to take down Republicans because "they made more than Pelosi"

Really? Do it in dollars. Show me.

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (9otr5)

295 How about every Congress Critter has to post their and their Parents, Siblings, and Children's stock and bond transactions on a Congresssional website within 12 hours of making the trades.

They submit their trade requests to the public, and we execute the trades for them (in due time, of course).

That's the system we have to use. Our brokers/market-makers know exactly what the bids are and they fuck around in real time using that knowledge.

Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (l0Lgi)

296
Funny how much you can get away with when you Bend The Knee.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (kiJ/2)

297 Congresspeople should be offered a chow hall

They have one already--House and Senate dining rooms.

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (Iq9dF)

298 291
On the no bid contract?

$3.7 billion.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (LvTSG)

Cheap at twice the price. I just want to be sure the contractor is qualified. Maybe some holdover from the Khmer Rouge or something. Someone with experience.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 12:51 PM (Cf/uA)

==========

"Costs ballooned to $7.2 billion. And we're thirteen years behind schedule."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (LvTSG)

299 No. Congressmen and women should not be there to "better themselves." Public office already attracts all kinds of rubbish who run for office, accumulate modest fame and familiarity with the swamp, and thereafter get hired as lobbyists and advisors by firms that would have never touched them before the swamp stains. Watch, for example, Kinzinger's and Gonzalez's next moves.

Your financial position should not improve in public service. Congresspeople should be offered a chow hall and barracks like the military. We should reduce their salaries to match the national average wage and reduce their benefits, especially healthcare, to match average national market compensation. Contribution-based retirement.

We would have a much more dedicated, honest group of officials if there was not such immediate and profound personal financial interests on the table.
Posted by: turnout man at January 25, 2022 12:45 PM (7CyhL)


Public Service should be a temporary job, NOT A CAREER.

Posted by: rd at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (Z32m1)

300 Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice

**

I wanted to be sure you saw my apology the other day and that I was in no way going after you. I was referring to the governor.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (4NtyV)

301 Mitch's son is the biggest weed farmer in Kentucky.
Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM


For a while, I was the biggest wood farmer in the country.

Posted by: zombie Bob Dole at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (a3Q+t)

302 I am totally fine with a housing complex for elected officials. How expensive could 535 dank, unventilated rodent-infested oubliettes with straw mats on the floor cost to build?
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 12:49 PM (Cf/uA)
++++
Somewhere between $4 million and $8 million per unit.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (DU+/6)

303 Without Malkin, Hot Air is just Hot Air.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (todmg)

304 >>286 Didn't Crenshaw not too long ago call Jesus and architype on pod cast?

It was at a town hall meeting and the crowd pretty much ran him off the stage.

Posted by: John Boehner at January 25, 2022 12:53 PM (GYllL)

305 > This black-haired girl exiting the pool is unsympathetic to congressional poor-mouthing

She looks drugged.

Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:53 PM (RaNzC)

306 Meanwhile a Republican from Colorado is apparently in deep sh*t because his son asked his secretary to proofread a resume.

==

Why did the secretary blab?

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 25, 2022 12:53 PM (lCui1)

307 294 $SPYs ROR for 2021 was about 35%.

All you would need to do to beat it, under the metrics of this chart, is own $SPY and one penny stock that did better than 35%.

This is a bogus attempt to take down Republicans because "they made more than Pelosi"

Really? Do it in dollars. Show me.
Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (9otr5)

This. Do it in dollars; it's not like you don't know.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:53 PM (hIom3)

308 Aren't congressmen paid only a pittance about the minimum wage as it now stands?

It's just so unfair how much more the non-elite general public get paid for doing their silly non-elite work when congressman have to try to eek out a living on mere crumbs.

Posted by: Tar Bae at January 25, 2022 12:53 PM (TdKbC)

309 282 six navy SEALs are running to oust Nancy Pelosi, but some times I wonder if it will do any god.
Posted by: Kindltot at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM (ZMraq)


I have a few ideas (well one actually) on how they might better use the the special skills they have acquired courtesy of us taxpayers.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at January 25, 2022 12:53 PM (WaGX0)

310 I saw a meme recently that should a picture of George Washington. It said in effect:

"Back in my day, we'd have already started stacking bodies".

Long time past.

Posted by: Cheri at January 25, 2022 12:53 PM (/oxYv)

311 >>>I just posted a single word over at Hot Air and got sent to moderation. The word? Malkin

I come, Graymalkin!

Posted by: First Witch, McBeth, Act 1, scene 1 at January 25, 2022 12:54 PM (HmZuC)

312 Force them to invest into only index funds with only two contribution options chosen at the beginning of each year (or more restrictive each session):

1) Lump sum, with no paycheck deductions

2) Paycheck deduction (I believe it's bi-weekly now)

Pick one option and that's all you get. No rebalancing.

Posted by: bif at January 25, 2022 12:54 PM (aiyac)

313 She looks drugged.
Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 12:53 PM (RaNzC)

Part of the kink

Posted by: CN The First at January 25, 2022 12:54 PM (ONvIw)

314 ...showed a picture of George Washington

Posted by: Cheri at January 25, 2022 12:54 PM (/oxYv)

315 One does not simply monoword post at HotAir.

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 25, 2022 12:54 PM (4I/2K)

316 Serving in congress and senate should be like a prison term.
You get let out if you finally do something good for the country and consituents.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 25, 2022 12:55 PM (lCui1)

317 "Yet if I get an insider tip and use it to realize the same profit, I go directly to jail."

Probably not. It's rarely charged. TPTB have to have a big hard-on for you before they use that. Go ahead and inside trade, but just don't tell anybody about it.

Posted by: gp Has Been Put On Notice at January 25, 2022 12:55 PM (qpX6U)

318 1. Every Fortune 500 company has lawyers on staff who write the actual legislation that congress votes on. They hand the amendments to their congressman on the payroll to include it and vote on it. You think Google doesn't write the legislation that affects it, and also their competition?

2. In the nineties, Newt Gingrich got a bill passed making insider trades by members of congress illegal. It lasted about a year before being quietly voted out.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 25, 2022 12:55 PM (5kI0z)

319 "Costs ballooned to $7.2 billion. And we're thirteen years behind schedule."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (LvTSG)

Imagine all the people that you need to pay to get this project done. Real-estate owners and developers. Lawyers. Economic and environmental impact consultants. Security contractors. Etc. etc. etc...

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:55 PM (hIom3)

320 Just to play devil's (or Congressman's, in this case) advocate: How many of them didn't beat the spread? How many of them did worse than the SPY?

You've got a list of 35 congresscritters who beat the spread, does that mean that the other 500 did worse? That's 7% who did better. At what rate should you expect individuals to beat the SPY?

I'm just asking. Your righteous indignation about Crenshaw's remark is probably justified. And Pelosi is very wealthy for a "public servant".

I would definitely support a ban on them being able to trade stocks. A blind trust seems best to remove any conflicts of interest.

But maybe it's not all insider trading.

Posted by: MikeD at January 25, 2022 12:55 PM (rS5vj)

321 Rumors of the big patch to fix the PS5 version convinced me to go ahead and get the thing. I imagine it should function without it, though. I probably won't hate the $20 price tag for the experience.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:43 PM (LvTSG)

The game was perfectly playable on next gen hardware after the first patch. Most bugs were QoL issues. As far as I know, inventory management is still a mess. I finished it twice. Wife finished it once. I think you'll get your $20 out of it.

Posted by: Grudge Harbor at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (wBpKf)

322 >>>six navy SEALs are running to oust Nancy Pelosi

I suspect I have a different idea of 'oust' than they do.

Posted by: Citizen Cake at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (HmZuC)

323
Organized crime and criminals have sounder ethics than members of Congress and the Federal government.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) [/s at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (pNxlR)

324 Public Service should be a temporary job, NOT A CAREER.
Posted by: rd at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (Z32m1)

That too. I imagine it would be temporary more often if public servants had to live like proles until they got good at something consumers would pay for.

Posted by: turnout man at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (7CyhL)

325 ace don't do the thing that the Left wants you to do - take the clickbait article that cuts against our side. Eff them. Pelosi made tens of millions of dollars in the stock market last year. On lots of stock trades, with way more indication of insideriness.

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (9otr5)

326 >>Several Republicans are considering shutting down the government if the next funding bill includes money for federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Such boldness from the cuck brigade.

Posted by: John Boehner at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (GYllL)

327 I'll admit this is one that bothers me less than the response on the J6 guys.

I have been thinking about this one. I am wondering if the disproportionality of the response on that one was because: it does bother him. He does think it's wrong. In the vaults of his mind, there is a voice that whispers 'Coward' for not standing up for them. Just an idle thought.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (dNqv+)

328 319 "Costs ballooned to $7.2 billion. And we're thirteen years behind schedule."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (LvTSG)

Imagine all the people that you need to pay to get this project done. Real-estate owners and developers. Lawyers. Economic and environmental impact consultants. Security contractors. Etc. etc. etc...
Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:55 PM (hIom3)

========

Mob bosses. Lawyers. Government mob underlings. Former military mob types. Etc. etc. etc...

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (LvTSG)

329
I wanted to be sure you saw my apology the other day and that I was in no way going after you. I was referring to the governor.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (4NtyV)

Indeed, man. No worries at all. I misread it. My apologies.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (Cf/uA)

330 I'm so old I remember when the Congressional Post Office Scandal led to the 1994 wipeout of the DemonRats by Mr. Newt and Crew.

Ahhh, good times. Good times.

Posted by: Sharkman at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (jO1gQ)

331 Why did the secretary blab?

**

I bet it was something completely innocent like a comment over margaritas on a weekend night with the girls. Something like "did you know Jimmy went to Space Camp in high school? Yeah, he stopped by to visit his dad for lunch and he asked what a synonym for hourly was because he was working on his resume, and I told him he should..."

And away we go.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (4NtyV)

332 321 The game was perfectly playable on next gen hardware after the first patch. Most bugs were QoL issues. As far as I know, inventory management is still a mess. I finished it twice. Wife finished it once. I think you'll get your $20 out of it.
Posted by: Grudge Harbor at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (wBpKf)

========

IF THE DOWNLOAD EVER FINISHES!

*fingers crossed*

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (LvTSG)

333 Plantations require hoop skirts.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (wmDcS)

334 The earliest ones most likely did too. Washington had to ignore his plantations. Adams was already pretty poor. Etcetera.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford

Dean Rusk, Sec of State under Kennedy and Johnson, left office, officially "broke". He had to leave his position of Sec. of State because he really was broke, and couldn't afford to live in DC and work for the government.

How times change.
They all engage in "insider trading" in the truest sense. They know all kinds of things that Uncle Sugar is going to do, and how the Fed will spend money.
They also get all kinds of insider information from lobbyists. Quid Pro Quo, or something clever in Latin like that.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (vcOmj)

335 325 ace don't do the thing that the Left wants you to do - take the clickbait article that cuts against our side. Eff them. Pelosi made tens of millions of dollars in the stock market last year. On lots of stock trades, with way more indication of insideriness.
Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 12:56 PM (9otr5)

========

Narrator:

Dan Crenshaw is not on our side.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (LvTSG)

336 Open bay barracks is to good for them. Repurpose some decomed Vietnam era troop ships parked on the coast. Lots of room. Parking too.

Posted by: USNtakim deplorable still. at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (0OmEj)

337 It was at a town hall meeting and the crowd pretty much ran him off the stage.

Its okay to not be a Christian. Its okay to be a Christian.

What isn't okay is to pretend you're a Christian and then utterly deny its key tenets and blatantly believe something else. Like O'Bama.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (KZzsI)

338 Just to play devil's (or Congressman's, in this case) advocate: How many of them didn't beat the spread? How many of them did worse than the SPY?

*

That might tell us a whole lot, too.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 12:58 PM (4NtyV)

339 Dan Crenshaw is not on our side.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:57 PM (LvTSG)

that's been clear for a while.

Posted by: CN The First at January 25, 2022 12:58 PM (ONvIw)

340 218. Marthas daughter was dating the CEO of a company that was getting ready to either issue shares or some kind of big move. He told Martha and she sold stock in the company the next day. The CEO went under investigation and the FBI showed up to interview her. She lied to them and then erased her calendar which listed her meeting with him. She was charged with lying to the SEC and the FBI and convicted.

Posted by: Jen the original at January 25, 2022 12:58 PM (Fa7xV)

341 Buncha fucking crooks.

Posted by: wth at January 25, 2022 12:58 PM (v0R5T)

342
Where's my due credit for saying for the last 15 years that "captn ed" morrissey is a disengenuous cuck?

*Yes, it's true: I say everyone is a cuck and a fraud. But...

I'm always proved right.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at January 25, 2022 12:59 PM (kiJ/2)

343
Security contractors. Etc. etc. etc...
Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:55 PM (hIom3)

Spare no expense on the security contractors. It's imperative that our Congress be guarded by Africa's bloodthirstiest, most uncontrollable, coke-addicted child soldiers, and I'm sure those warlords don't lease them cheap.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 01:00 PM (Cf/uA)

344 This is why we have professional politicians. I like the idea of the state buying a residence. I remember the hissy fit they threw over people staying at Trump's hotel when he was in office. I see no reason to cut them any slack. If they want to play the market, they can leave office.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at January 25, 2022 01:00 PM (5HBd1)

345 "Costs ballooned to $7.2 billion. And we're thirteen years behind schedule."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 12:52 PM (LvTSG)

Imagine all the people that you need to pay to get this project done. Real-estate owners and developers. Lawyers. Economic and environmental impact consultants. Security contractors. Etc. etc. etc...
Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 12:55 PM (hIom3)

Oh, you left out a bunch of stuff. First of all you're going to have to grease the local politicians for the sudden zoning problems that always come up. Then there's the kickbacks to the carpenters, and if you plan on using any cement in this building I'm sure the teamsters would like to have a little chat with ya, and that'll cost ya. Oh and don't forget a little something for the building inspectors. Then there's long term costs such as waste disposal. I don't know if you're familiar with who runs that business but I assure you it's not the boyscouts.

Posted by: Thorton Melon at January 25, 2022 01:00 PM (4I/2K)

346 Dan Crenshaw is not on our side.

How would Dan know?

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 01:00 PM (aXKOe)

347 "After mentioning he supports individual stock bans, he adds that without trading: "You have no way to better yourself" as a Congress person."

You tell 'em, Dan! Similarly, there's no way to better yourself as a half-assed independent pundit unless you play both sides of the fence. The mental gymnastics required to TALK a conservative, Constitutionalist game generally, but denigrate actually conservative policies and individuals, is really invigorating!

Posted by: Ben Shapiro and Daily Wire at January 25, 2022 01:00 PM (NCgXW)

348 The GOP needs a "Contract with America" type platform that only allows index funds to be purchased if you're in Congress.

If anything, this shows you that even with some insider information, only a handful are out performing indexes. You could even make a case its just luck if like 30 out of 435 beat the S&P500. So over 90% "underperformed" the S&P 500?

Posted by: Hylian at January 25, 2022 01:01 PM (YsTC1)

349 Honestly I think the whole "insider information" laws are kind of questionable. Its common sense to act on info you have and you all damn well know that every major stock broker has contacts and inside info they work on, not the least of which is "calls to sell and buy stocks by customers".

I get that you don't want insider deals and cheating going on, but if Joe hears a rumor and acts on it, is that really a federal case? There's a difference between conspiracy to defraud and just acting on common sense info.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:01 PM (KZzsI)

350 I may just be shooting in the dark here, but why don't you get a job where you can "better yourself?" Or would that be too much like work?

Fucking asshole.

Posted by: Bicentennialguy at January 25, 2022 01:01 PM (RpD//)

351 I'm so old I remember when the Congressional Post Office Scandal led to the 1994 wipeout of the DemonRats by Mr. Newt and Crew.

Ahhh, good times. Good times.
Posted by: Sharkman


I remember the congressional bank.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 01:01 PM (uXonU)

352 Put a period after Jesus, and [do not] question my faith!

~ Tough Guy Crenshaw to a 12 Year Old Girl

Posted by: DoublySymmetric(Mobile) at January 25, 2022 01:01 PM (9mfKN)

353 Harelip! Harelip!

Posted by: Wood Eye at January 25, 2022 01:01 PM (v0R5T)

354 Oh, you left out a bunch of stuff. First of all you're going to have to grease the local politicians for the sudden zoning problems that always come up. Then there's the kickbacks to the carpenters, and if you plan on using any cement in this building I'm sure the teamsters would like to have a little chat with ya, and that'll cost ya. Oh and don't forget a little something for the building inspectors. Then there's long term costs such as waste disposal. I don't know if you're familiar with who runs that business but I assure you it's not the boyscouts.
Posted by: Thorton Melon at January 25, 2022 01:00 PM (4I/2K)
++++
That's a great scene froma very funny movie.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (DU+/6)

355 One thing we got going for us

Dan will not be the last dickhead republican we see

gunga gunga lunga

Posted by: REDACTED at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (us2H3)

356 The night before Hotair banned everyone and switched to Facebook their final thread had 9,000 comments.

I've got $500 that says they haven't had that many total in the decade since.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (4NtyV)

357 Mike Billand is running against Crenshaw in the primaries-
https://tinyurl.com/3paxds3n

Posted by: redridinghood at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (NpAcC)

358 Come on, Texas; do the right thing and eject this clown.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (bkUtD)

359 Did you know there are nude Georgia O'Queef jigsaw puzzles? Georgia had quite a bush. No shit. Google it.

Posted by: Puddin Head at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (tiR3O)

360 Dan Crenshaw cannot get close to his constituents.



No depth perception.

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (gmo/4)

361 Rutgers perfesser praises the USSR for low income inequality.

https://bit.ly/3nXt5hq

Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (RaNzC)

362 What does the H. stand for.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (todmg)

363
The reason why all these Fake conservative grifters write obvious Felatio to Democrats is for one simple reason:

To get on Fake News TV and play the "conservative sides with the Democrats" character.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (kiJ/2)

364 Also I'll note that Crenshaw is a public sector guy under 40 and somehow has a net worth around $3M. Cry me a river. (Someone else can make a joke about river flow volume.) He is so far ahead of the overwhelming majority of people his age without ever having put in time in "for-profit" endeavors.

Posted by: turnout man at January 25, 2022 12:50 PM


Most of that money came from his book.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (bVYXr)

365 subtle jibe
Posted by: ace

jibe, jape

A jibe and a jape

Posted by: Miklosian tomfoolery at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (QzkSJ)

366 340 218. Marthas daughter was dating the CEO of a company that was getting ready to either issue shares or some kind of big move. He told Martha and she sold stock in the company the next day. The CEO went under investigation and the FBI showed up to interview her. She lied to them and then erased her calendar which listed her meeting with him. She was charged with lying to the SEC and the FBI and convicted.
Posted by: Jen the original at January 25, 2022 12:58 PM (Fa7xV)

That CEO, Sam Waksal, dated both Martha *and* her daughter.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (hIom3)

367 Don't question my stock picking ability.

Posted by: Dan "Cramer" Crenshaw at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (KbCG3)

368
Most of that money came from his book.
Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (bVYXr)

Great.

He's rigging athletic events now, too?

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (Cf/uA)

369 Most of that money came from his book.

Trust me, ain't nobody making 3 million off writing their first book unless there are deals going on under the table.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (KZzsI)

370 360 Dan Crenshaw cannot get close to his constituents.

No depth perception.

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (gmo/4)

I laughed.

Posted by: DoublySymmetric(Mobile) at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (9mfKN)

371 Anyone remember when Ted Kennedy would write a $5k check at the congressional bank every Friday for walking around money with no money in his account and never paying it back?

If you can't rent a house for $20k a month in DC, we need to nuke it from orbit.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (uXonU)

372 I initially thought that SPY in that top graph represented Shartwell's non-ChiComm returns

Posted by: ShainS -- A faculty lounge, if you can keep it. at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (5cCDd)

373 What does the H. stand for.
Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022


***
Hustler or Huckster, I'd guess.

Posted by: Jefferson Smith at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (txdEq)

374 Dan, I have a quaint notion for you: If you want to better yourself while in Congress, try reading: The Constitution, The Federalist Papers and the Anti Federalist papers.

Then, after that, how about, oh, some stuff on Jefferson, Washington, Adams, etc.

But, of course, you'll continue to abuse the language and conflate "getting rich through insider trading" with "bettering yourself."

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (5pTK/)

375 Posted by: Thorton Melon at January 25, 2022 01:00 PM (4I/2K)
++++
That's a great scene froma very funny movie.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (DU+/6)

And even funnier because it was an almost perfect contrast from my comment.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (hIom3)

376
And, right behind the insider-trading, the fake-o "book deals" might be the second-most common scam in the city.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (Cf/uA)

377 Fauci Mengele and his wife brought in over 2 million last year. His net worth is over 10 million.

Ponder that.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (ptqGC)

378 Rutgers perfesser praises the USSR for low income inequality.

https://bit.ly/3nXt5hq
Posted by: bonhomme at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (RaNzC)
++++
Nothing new there. When I was in college, I had professors who would say things like, "it had its problems, but the USSR had equality for women" or "although a lack of consumer choice can be a problem, it simplified commerce in the Soviet Union."

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (DU+/6)

379 Does anyone have Doof's email address? I'd like to send him an email but I don't have it. If you so and you feel comfortable sharing it, please forward to me at:

EventHorizonescapee at gmail dot com

Thank you.

Posted by: Sharkman at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (jO1gQ)

380 Trust me, ain't nobody making 3 million off writing their first book unless there are deals going on under the table.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (KZzsI)

Are you accusing me of taking tainted money?

Posted by: Pence of the 4M book deal at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (ONvIw)

381 It'll never happen, but I have long advocated for a constitutional amendment that Congress meet in a different state every year. It would be bigger than a Super Bowl in economic impact, with all the lobbyists, prostitutes (birm), and other camp followers. That would solve Crenshaw's problem of needing a second house. (It would also have the benefit that members of Congress from the Acela Corridor would actually ahve to see the rest of the country they purport to govern and interact with its people.)

We had an occasional member of Congress from our area who used to sleep in a cot in his office in DC.

Posted by: Caesar North of the Rubicon at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (BMmaB)

382 That CEO, Sam Waksal, dated both Martha *and* her daughter.
Posted by: Darrell Harris

Well, that should make us all cringe, just a little bit.

I mean, I am close to Martha's age, and she is not a terrible looking woman at all.....but the mother AND daughter?

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (vcOmj)

383 The bottom line is, all our proposed fixes will do nothing.

Money flows to power.

Washington D.C has too much power.

That's why McCain-Fiengold was the incumbent protection act, not a reform.

Posted by: Well at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (q9ZVX)

384 378 Nothing new there. When I was in college, I had professors who would say things like, "it had its problems, but the USSR had equality for women" or "although a lack of consumer choice can be a problem, it simplified commerce in the Soviet Union."
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (DU+/6)

=========

And the sex was fantastic!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (LvTSG)

385 That CEO, Sam Waksal, dated both Martha *and* her daughter.
Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022


***
My man!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (txdEq)

386 If you can't rent a house for $20k a month in DC, we need to nuke it from orbit.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (uXonU)

------

Frank Lunz has beds available for less than that with a certain barter arrangement.

Posted by: ShainS -- A faculty lounge, if you can keep it. at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (5cCDd)

387 The night before Hotair banned everyone and switched to Facebook their final thread had 9,000 comments.

I've got $500 that says they haven't had that many total in the decade since.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - read closely, it's impossible to get a negative result from the free COVID tests at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM (4NtyV)
*******
I was one of those commenters. Stupidest decision they ever made.

Posted by: redridinghood at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (NpAcC)

388 Most of that money came from his book.

Trust me, ain't nobody making 3 million off writing their first book unless there are deals going on under the table.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (KZzsI)


Tell me about it!

- A. Hitler

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (gmo/4)

389 "And he says that if you don't give them these things, only "millionaires and billionaires" will run for Congress."

Umm... if AOC, a biological high-functioning carrot, can make a very comfy living in DC, certainly a manly former SEAL can figure worthing out.

Posted by: red speck at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (gS3OW)

390 >>>six navy SEALs are running to oust Nancy Pelosi

This doesn't matter if a person doesn't hold fast to their inner integrity and morality. DC has a cancer that infects lesser souls who don't have a strong inner core. I used to read things like military men/women running for Congress and would get excited as I assumed that they would hold fast to their pledges to honor and protect this nation. I no longer am that naïve. We've been shown too many examples of once honorable people who have let themselves be bought while spouting the opposite.

Posted by: Cheri at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (/oxYv)

391 385 That CEO, Sam Waksal, dated both Martha *and* her daughter.
Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022

***
My man!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (txdEq)

==========

"And saw hello to your mother for me."
"I am the daughter!"
-Coupling

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (LvTSG)

392 That CEO, Sam Waksal, dated both Martha *and* her daughter.
Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 01:03 PM (hIom3)


Dayummm, playa!

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (9otr5)

393 although a lack of consumer choice can be a problem, it simplified commerce in the Soviet Union." Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (DU+/6)

Bernie said something similar recently about no one needing 20 different kinds of deodorant.

Posted by: Caesar North of the Rubicon at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (BMmaB)

394
Any barrier for entry at HotAir is too high. They should be paying people to comment.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 01:06 PM (Cf/uA)

395 Personally, I prefer the Shirley Jackson solution. Every year, on April 15th, all 535 Senators and Representatives take part in a lottery. The "winner" is stoned to death by a group of taxpayers.

It may not solve any problems, but it would sure be fun.

Posted by: Eeyore at January 25, 2022 01:07 PM (7X3UV)

396 I mean, I am close to Martha's age, and she is not a terrible looking woman at all.....but the mother AND daughter?

Yeah I could see dating one or the other but both is just creepy and cringy even if all they ever did was hold hands.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:07 PM (KZzsI)

397 Also amazing to consider his line of reasoning, as if he had no choice other than to serve in Congress.

Bitch, you ran for the job knowing the salary and benefits. Don't like it, find a new line of work you fucking leech.

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at January 25, 2022 01:07 PM (KbCG3)

398 What Joe Mannix said: "Build a couple of apartment towers owned by the US government and use them to put up congressmen." Then lock them down on investments.

Posted by: Lotta nerve at January 25, 2022 01:07 PM (JdcHc)

399 Nothing new there. When I was in college, I had professors who would say things like, "it had its problems, but the USSR had equality for women" or "although a lack of consumer choice can be a problem, it simplified commerce in the Soviet Union."
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

And the sex was fantastic!
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford

Well, quite frankly, they were all kinda of f*cked.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:08 PM (vcOmj)

400 The good book once said that the poor will always be among us. The corollary is that the greedy will always be among us as well.

Or as Mark Twain put it out about Congress during the Credit Mobilier scandal and other such, "There is no native criminal class in America save Congress." Which, btw, has been every thus including during the Continental Congress. Alexander Hamilton himself was involved in a sex scandal that involved a shady speculator of government securities.

All you can do is name them and shame them and vote them out of office but it will be like whacking at moles.

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 01:08 PM (Iq9dF)

401 195 170 what's the difference between a plantation and a farm, if any?
Posted by: ace at January 25, 2022 12:22 PM (0G13K)

Nothing. Plantation is just the southern name for it.

Posted by: Balrog of Morgoth at January 25, 2022 01:08 PM (OsogG)

402 That CEO, Sam Waksal, dated both Martha *and* her daughter.
Posted by: Darrell Harris

Well, that should make us all cringe, just a little bit.

I mean, I am close to Martha's age, and she is not a terrible looking woman at all.....but the mother AND daughter?
Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:05 PM (vcOmj)

Mom? You up?

Posted by: Just the Punchline at January 25, 2022 01:08 PM (4I/2K)

403 What does the H. stand for.
Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 01:02 PM


Harold.

"Our Father who art in Heaven, Harold be thy name ... "

Posted by: J. Random Commenter at January 25, 2022 01:08 PM (a3Q+t)

404
To be fair to Mr. Hitler, his book arrangements were pretty shady, and that house at Berchtesgaden was a really flagrant real-estate "deal," but self-enrichment was never a big motive for the man.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 01:08 PM (Cf/uA)

405 I am guessing that Martha Stewart is really bossy and critical in the sack. But in a very passive aggressive way. Lets try it a new way! I have an idea to make things even better! Watch what happens when we try this!

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:09 PM (KZzsI)

406 For me, the big problem is a separation of powers issue. SEC/FBI investigating representatives and senators for violations. What could go wrong? It isn't like there would be unequal application of the rules ...

Posted by: Legion of Boom at January 25, 2022 01:09 PM (01vgK)

407 "No, they couldn't convict her on that. They jailed her for "lying to a federal officer" which shouldn't even be a crime."

Thanks. It seemed to me like a situation where it was decided she was going down as an example or something. I suspect this insider wink and a nod stuff could snap some of these congress folk (maybe like Crenshaw) in the rear at some point under the "Show me the man and I'll show you the crime" doctrine of our basic hornbook law.

Posted by: RM at January 25, 2022 01:09 PM (U3LtS)

408 377 Fauci Mengele and his wife brought in over 2 million last year. His net worth is over 10 million.

Ponder that.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (ptqGC)

How dare you question the SCIENCE!

Posted by: DoublySymmetric(Mobile) at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (9mfKN)

409 I am totally fine with a housing complex for elected officials. How expensive could 535 dank, unventilated rodent-infested oubliettes with straw mats on the floor cost to build?

We're talking Guantanamo here, right?

Posted by: t-bird at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (DMQdU)

410
What Joe Mannix said: "Build a couple of apartment towers owned by the US government and use them to put up congressmen." Then lock them down on investments the doors and set them alight.
Posted by: Lotta nerve at January 25, 2022 01:07 PM (JdcHc)

FIFY.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (Cf/uA)

411 Heh. Michael Avenatti update:

Michael Avenatti just dumped his public defenders in court and will represent himself moving forward against charges he stole $300,000 from Stormy Daniels.

This means Avenatti will be cross examining Daniels when she takes the stand tomorrow.

"A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client."

Posted by: Sharkman at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (jO1gQ)

412 I lost $200,000 on my AAPL stock this year as it went from 182 to 160

Posted by: SMOD at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (RHGPo)

413 And, right behind the insider-trading, the fake-o "book deals" might be the second-most common scam in the city. Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 01:04 PM (Cf/uA)

Tell me about it.

Posted by: Hunter B at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (BMmaB)

414 I always thought that a nice cost-of-dc-living fix would be to take a nice tract of gummint-owned land in the dc area & put up 535 identical houses, roughly equivalent to what the general commanding a large base would have.

further refinements would include a bus picking them up in the morning to take them to work and return them at night, kind of like they had an actual job.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez (9CuDT) at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (9CuDT)

415 411 Heh. Michael Avenatti update:

Michael Avenatti just dumped his public defenders in court and will represent himself moving forward against charges he stole $300,000 from Stormy Daniels.

This means Avenatti will be cross examining Daniels when she takes the stand tomorrow.

"A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client."
Posted by: Sharkman at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (jO1gQ)

==========

He was going to be president, you know.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (LvTSG)

416 Or as Mark Twain put it out about Congress during the Credit Mobilier scandal and other such, "There is no native criminal class in America save Congress."

The big difference between the mafia and the federal government is that the mob was honest about their doings. They didn't claim to not be crooks.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (KZzsI)

417 359 Did you know there are nude Georgia O'Queef jigsaw puzzles? Georgia had quite a bush. No shit. Google it.

Posted by: Puddin Head

Why don't you suggest adding puzzle watch to the AOS weekend threads?

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (Iq9dF)

418 "And saw hello to your mother for me."
"I am the daughter!"
-Coupling
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022


***
Saw a witty 1947 film noir this weekend, Bury Me Dead w/ June Lockhart as the older sister and Cathy O'Donnell as the younger. June has driven up to the mountains to forestall her younger sister's affair with a young boxer. When he sees June, he says, "And is this your mother?"

June says, "No, I normally look this way after a long drive, but I'm her sister."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 25, 2022 01:11 PM (txdEq)

419 ace don't do the thing that the Left wants you to do - take the clickbait article that cuts against our side. Eff them

The chart is irrelevant. The relevant part is Crenshaw just baldly saying he's using his office to better himself financially.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at January 25, 2022 01:11 PM (3YVs3)

420 Unpopular opinion: Even if unfair, it seems far less corrupt to me for a congresscritter to purchase a stock they believe is about to be boosted by legislation, than to boost a stock by legislation that they already own.

Posted by: f2000 at January 25, 2022 01:11 PM (PWcd9)

421 No, they couldn't convict her on that. They jailed her for "lying to a federal officer" which shouldn't even be a crime.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 12:44 PM (KZzsI)

---
I agree. If the .gov can do it to you without consequence, you should be able to do it to .gov without consequence.

Posted by: Legion of Boom at January 25, 2022 01:11 PM (01vgK)

422 I am guessing that Martha Stewart is really bossy and critical in the sack. But in a very passive aggressive way. Lets try it a new way! I have an idea to make things even better! Watch what happens when we try this!
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:09 PM (KZzsI)

Martha: Oh, yes! Yes! It's a good thing.

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 25, 2022 01:11 PM (4I/2K)

423 He complains that Congressmen aren't paid enough, complaining that the public won't allow them to give themselves a pay raise and there is no "housing stipend" so they have to pay rents in two different locations.

2) "You (a Congressman) have no way to better yourself."

1- Congressional dorms
2- Then don't be a congressman

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 25, 2022 01:11 PM (F4b8f)

424 All you can do is name them and shame them and vote them out of office but it will be like whacking at moles. Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 01:08 PM (Iq9dF)

Moths to the flame.

Posted by: Caesar North of the Rubicon at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (BMmaB)

425 340 218. Marthas daughter was dating the CEO of a company that was getting ready to either issue shares or some kind of big move. He told Martha and she sold stock in the company the next day. The CEO went under investigation and the FBI showed up to interview her. She lied to them and then erased her calendar which listed her meeting with him. She was charged with lying to the SEC and the FBI and convicted.
Posted by: Jen the original at January 25, 2022 12:58 PM (Fa7xV)

-----
IIRC, the judge felt that the prosecution's case was based on a verrrry 'novel' interpretation of a law. I don't think they were going to be able to prosecute her like they were planning to. However, because she lied (in a case that the judge wouldn't allow anyway), she got jammed up.

This is all from memory, so take it with a grain of salt.

Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (VJsqe)

426 Michael Avenatti just dumped his public defenders in court and will represent himself moving forward against charges he stole $300,000 from Stormy Daniels.

He's a con man. You never give up the con.

I just giggle to my self thinking back to CNN treating this man like George Washington Von MLK. The hero of our times, soon to be president! What a man!

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (KZzsI)

427 Bernie never saw "Moscow on the Hudson"

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (gmo/4)

428 The big difference between the mafia and the federal government is that the mob was honest about their doings. They didn't claim to not be crooks.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

Reminds me of an old joke about politicians is whether or not they are an 'honest' politician--an honest politician stays bought by a bribe but a dishonest one doesn't.

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (Iq9dF)

429 BTW, since Crenshaw never mentions it, the salary for a rank and file member of Congress is $174,000. That is nearly 5 times the U.S. median personal income.

Posted by: Formerly known as Skeptic at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (FR+I0)

430 Just a minor incursion into insider trading.

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (II3Gr)

431 Unpopular opinion: Even if unfair, it seems far less corrupt to me for a congresscritter to purchase a stock they believe is about to be boosted by legislation, than to boost a stock by legislation that they already own.
Posted by: f2000

Seems pretty close to the same thing to me. Maybe they also give a helping hand to the company they are about to buy stock in?

Posted by: Hylian at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (YsTC1)

432 June says, "No, I normally look this way after a long drive, but I'm her sister."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

Sometimes after a long drive, my hair is a little messed up from the wind on the fairway. But I feel good about it.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:13 PM (vcOmj)

433 Unrelated to the one-eyed scoundrel, what is this nonsense I am getting from the lady who does my tax prep about the IRS going to start requiring facial recognition?

Posted by: DoublySymmetric(Mobile) at January 25, 2022 01:13 PM (9mfKN)

434 The chart is irrelevant. The relevant part is Crenshaw just baldly saying he's using his office to better himself financially.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at January 25, 2022 01:11 PM (3YVs3)


But that isn't what he said.

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 01:13 PM (9otr5)

435 Pelosi was an early opponent to the Iraq and Afhhsn wars. Wars which most morons supported for 20 fucking yesrs.

Posted by: Kurt at January 25, 2022 01:13 PM (lCt2Y)

436 Bidens Deputy Nat Sec Advisor Says Americans Should Care About Ukraine Because

Sovereignty Should be Respected

Now do the illegal invaders on the Southern Border.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 25, 2022 01:13 PM (yrol0)

437 That's what I meant. Hitler had all sorts of shady deals with his book. He became a very rich man from its sale.

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:13 PM (gmo/4)

438 Posted by: Kurt at January 25, 2022 01:13 PM (lCt2Y)

=======

Joe Biden voted for the war.

What's your point?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:14 PM (LvTSG)

439 "15 So the top five grifters were GOP scum.

Posted by: Ordinary American at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (H8QX "

yeah, kind of lends credence to the gope claim that they would better manage our decline into oligarchy.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez (9CuDT) at January 25, 2022 01:14 PM (9CuDT)

440 I just giggle to my self thinking back to CNN treating this man like George Washington Von MLK. The hero of our times, soon to be president! What a man!

That clip of Tater saying Avanatti should run for President and giggling like the Pillsbury Doughboy is classic.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 25, 2022 01:14 PM (ZGrMX)

441 I agree. If the .gov can do it to you without consequence, you should be able to do it to .gov without consequence.

Michal Francese, Capo in the Columbo family, ripped off the federal government for billions in gas taxes. Now, I don't like the mob extorting businesses for "protection" money, and I don't like them highjacking trucks for goods.

But ripping off the federal government for taxes feels like a Robin Hood kind of deal these days.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:14 PM (KZzsI)

442 Didn't Harry Reid retire from Congress worth tens of millions of dollars despite being a "public servant" his whole life?

You can't get that rich from a $200k salary and live in DC without some shady shit on the side.

LBJ was the same way, guy died really rich despite just getting a pretty menial salary most of his life.

Posted by: Hylian at January 25, 2022 01:14 PM (YsTC1)

443
All of them are motivated by greed, but on the GOP side, they are *only* motivated by greed. It's probably that faction's only saving grace - their venality is so total that it leaves no room for the unbridled power-lust that motivates the other faction.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (Cf/uA)

444 405 I am guessing that Martha Stewart is really bossy and critical in the sack. But in a very passive aggressive way. Lets try it a new way! I have an idea to make things even better! Watch what happens when we try this!
---------------
She likes butt stuff.

Posted by: Puddin Head at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (bA3Ln)

445 I am guessing that Martha Stewart is really bossy and critical in the sack. But in a very passive aggressive way. Lets try it a new way! I have an idea to make things even better! Watch what happens when we try this!
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

Martha: Oh, yes! Yes! It's a good thing.
Posted by: Count de Monet

I'm guessing she only has sex on 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. At a minimum.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (vcOmj)

446 Is Malkin off of NewsMax.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (todmg)

447 I am a bit sympathetic after hearing from my representative that parking spaces cost thousands per month. DC is setup to profit from the government there.

The easier solution is to move them out of DC. Make them live in their district and vote from their district. Not only does this make it less expensive for them, not only does it move them closer to their constituents, but it also makes it more difficult to concentrate lobbying firms in one city.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (CX3cf)

448 15 So the top five grifters were GOP scum.
Posted by: Ordinary American at January 25, 2022 12:18 PM (H8QX


There. The Left's work is done here.

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (9otr5)

449 Sometimes an investor just picks stocks wisely. And sometimes he just gets lucky
---------

And sometimes when a man and woman really love each other, he finishes onto a ficus in the middle of the workday in front of her.

Posted by: ... at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (6AuKR)

450 IIRC, the judge felt that the prosecution's case was based on a verrrry 'novel' interpretation of a law. I don't think they were going to be able to prosecute her like they were planning to. However, because she lied (in a case that the judge wouldn't allow anyway), she got jammed up.

This is all from memory, so take it with a grain of salt.

Posted by: 496

Re Martha Stewart, they pitted her broker's word against hers. They let the broker go free if he testified against her. Now, Martha actually knew what insider trading was because she was once a licensed securities and stock broker but the Feds could not demonstrate intent. So they went with a procedural crime just like Al Capone.

This sort of thing is why the police and DA's use simple crimes like possession of drugs or guns that can be easily proven rather than other crimes that are difficult to prove.

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (Iq9dF)

451 Bidens Deputy Nat Sec Advisor Says Americans Should Care About Ukraine Because

Sovereignty Should be Respected


Irony is lost on the retarded.

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (gmo/4)

452 I think it was a drug company stock martha sold. The FDA was not going to approve, so tbe stock was going to tank.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (F4b8f)

453 BTW, since Crenshaw never mentions it, the salary for a rank and file member of Congress is $174,000. That is nearly 5 times the U.S. median personal income.
Posted by: Formerly known as Skeptic at January 25, 2022 01:12 PM (FR+I0)
........

and they don't do shit.

Posted by: wth at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (v0R5T)

454 And Kurt weighs in with his bad spelling.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (ptqGC)

455 Did the Big Guy get 10%?

Posted by: torabora at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (YdnVw)

456 years. Only 1 Dem on the top8 you guys seem to have forgotten that what motivates peoe like Pelodi or the Clinton's is civil service/power. Not money. Neither the Clinton's or Pelosi have much time to actually enjoy spending money.

Posted by: Kurt at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (lCt2Y)

457 But that isn't what he said.

I am curious how you interpret the line about "bettering yourself" in the context of stocks and finances.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (KZzsI)

458 LBJ was the same way, guy died really rich despite just getting a pretty menial salary most of his life.
Posted by: Hylian

LBJ owned a radio station, a TV station and the big ranch down in Texas.
I think his wife was from a rich family, too.

All on the up and up, of course.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (vcOmj)

459 454 And Kurt weighs in with his bad spelling.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (ptqGC)

=========

His name is actually spelled Kunt.

Gets it wrong every time.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (LvTSG)

460 His family has Crenshaw Salsa, he wants for nothing.

Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (CjHGv)

461 am a bit sympathetic after hearing from my representative that parking spaces cost thousands per month. DC is setup to profit from the government there.

Irony. Government creature cannibalism.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (F4b8f)

462 Is it me or is Kurt even dumber than usual today?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (KZzsI)

463 That's what I meant. Hitler had all sorts of shady deals with his book. He became a very rich man from its sale.
Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022


***
In Night Train to Munich]/i] (1940) w/ Rex Harrison as a proto-James Bond, there's a scene with the 2 comic-opera Englishmen, Charters and Caldicott, from The Lady Vanishes. In the train in Germany (this is set in summer 1939), Charters takes out his book, Mein Kampf, and says, "They give a copy to all the new bridal couples over here, you know."

Caldicott (startled): "I say, I don't think it's that kind of book, old man --"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (txdEq)

464 I'm guessing she only has sex on 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. At a minimum.
Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:15

She was quite the looker when she was younger. She's still pretty for her age actually. I am guessing she's an ice cube but maybe she's a tiger in the Egyptian sack? Sometimes the prim and proper quiet ones are whooores in the bedroom.

Posted by: Minnfidel at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (aXKOe)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (txdEq)

466 Martha is a little minx and you know it.

Posted by: ... at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (6AuKR)

467 Is someone socking Kurt cause that's funny right there I don't care who you are.

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (9otr5)

468 I'm not worried. I watched Matlock last night at the hostel. The sound wasn't on, but I think I got the gist of it.

Posted by: Michael Avenatti at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (HmZuC)

469 If one is such a great stock picker, maybe they don't need to be in Congress at all. Get out and trade for a living.
This in a nutshell is the whole problem with government. Rules for thee but not for me.

Posted by: Drc at January 25, 2022 01:18 PM (vbaSG)

470 All of them are motivated by greed, but on the GOP side, they are *only* motivated by greed. It's probably that faction's only saving grace - their venality is so total that it leaves no room for the unbridled power-lust that motivates the other faction.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dic
I agree YD and then add the fact that they are cowardly to boot. Remember Biden's argument that at least six GOP Senators would vote his way but they are afraid of constituent anger. McConnell's auction for GOP votes would go away if the filibuster was removed.

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 01:18 PM (Iq9dF)

471 Why even go to DC for any reason except for throat punching.

Posted by: Humphreyrobot at January 25, 2022 01:18 PM (HOLTf)

472 I'm guessing she only has sex on 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. At a minimum.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (vcOmj)

And never slept in the wet spot.

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:18 PM (gmo/4)

473 Effing Kurt. Idiot. Obama started a couple of wars. Biden is about to start a way.

How many wars did PDT start?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 01:18 PM (5pTK/)

474 way-war

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/)) at January 25, 2022 01:18 PM (5pTK/)

475 Maybe dan can fire one of his staff and take a side job in his own office.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at January 25, 2022 01:19 PM (F4b8f)

476 460 His family has Crenshaw Salsa, he wants for nothing.
Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at January 25, 2022 01:17 PM (CjHGv)

They maketh him lie down in luxury linens
They leadeth him beside the yacht club waters
They restoreth his bank account

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. at January 25, 2022 01:19 PM (II3Gr)

477 LBJ owned a radio station, a TV station and the big ranch down in Texas.
I think his wife was from a rich family, too.

All on the up and up, of course.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (vcOmj)

I think Lady Bird owned the TV/Radio stations.

Posted by: BignJames at January 25, 2022 01:19 PM (AwYPR)

478 I am curious how you interpret the line about "bettering yourself" in the context of stocks and finances.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:16 PM (KZzsI)


Improving one's position? This isn't hard.

He did NOT say the only way I have to make money is using insider trading because I am a Congressman. Which is what people are saying he said.

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 01:19 PM (9otr5)

479

I'm beginning to think that bullshit with the SNL heroin addict cast member was a setup...

It would explain his appearing everywhere then, gotta set up the teams.

Posted by: Dr.Rev. Senator Your Highness E Buzz Miller, Esq PhD MA MS at January 25, 2022 01:19 PM (XnbJC)

480 So in the congressional barracks is there a code of congressional Justice whereby Congress critters are held to a higher standard. With fewer rights. See UMCJ. Lets make a USCCJ.

Posted by: USNtakim deplorable still. at January 25, 2022 01:19 PM (0OmEj)

481 If Joey Brain Fart sends our sons and daughters to war, it's only fair he sends Hunter to the front line.

Oh, who am I kidding. Joe's son, Kerry's stepson, Pelosi's son, all in on the Ukraine and China grift.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (ptqGC)

482 477
I think Lady Bird owned the TV/Radio stations.
Posted by: BignJames at January 25, 2022 01:19 PM (AwYPR)

=========

That's silly.

In Patriarchy USA women aren't allowed to own property.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (LvTSG)

483 If one is such a great stock picker, maybe they don't need to be in Congress at all. Get out and trade for a living.
This in a nutshell is the whole problem with government. Rules for thee but not for me.
Posted by: Drc

Congress shouldn't be a career. A few terms (at most), and then back home to do something else.
These guys take it as a lifetime sinecure, once they get elected the first time.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative...Badluck Streak in Dancing School at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (vcOmj)

484 His family has Crenshaw Salsa, he wants for nothing.

"Probably made in New York City"
--Cowboy, fingering a rope

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (KZzsI)

485 The money that Pelosi inside trades is chump change in light of the billions of dollars that she steers directly to her husband's companies. As though his finances where something other than her finances.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (3aLWR)

486 "No, they couldn't convict her on that. They jailed her for "lying to a federal officer" which shouldn't even be a crime."

iirc, she was not guilty of insider trading. What she did was legal, but she wasn't sure about that, and so lied to cover up. That is why it seemed like entrapment ... but maybe I have it wrong, can't really recall details.

(and was there some other reason they would want to target her? Did she make Hillary mad or some such? idk, seems likely)

Posted by: illiniwek at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (Cus5s)

487 Why even go to DC for any reason except for throat punching.

Don’t underestimate the awesome drawing power of representative ball-kicking.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (CX3cf)

488 I'm sure Dan has our best interests at heart. Heh.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (Xrfse)

489 And never slept in the wet spot.

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:18 PM (gmo/4)

For anyone who's ever had to deal with that embarrassing and uncomfortable "wet spot" on the bed, here are five different and very easy ways to get rid of that spot and have your sheets as dry and comfortable as they were before, well, you know!

Posted by: Martha Stewart at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (II3Gr)

490 The easier solution is to move them out of DC. Make them live in their district and vote from their district. Not only does this make it less expensive for them, not only does it move them closer to their constituents, but it also makes it more difficult to concentrate lobbying firms in one city.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at January 25, 2022 01:15 PM (CX3cf)

And since the Supreme Court just upheld proxy voting for Congressman, this has become UBER-easy...

Posted by: Nova local at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (exHjb)

491 He was going to be president, you know.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:10 PM (LvTSG)

Tater: "He was, he was. I was all a'spud at the prospect, and all 30 of my eyes spasmed with glee."

Posted by: Thrawn at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (Rl7KJ)

492 489 And never slept in the wet spot.

Posted by: Archer at January 25, 2022 01:18 PM (gmo/4)

For anyone who's ever had to deal with that embarrassing and uncomfortable "wet spot" on the bed, here are five different and very easy ways to get rid of that spot and have your sheets as dry and comfortable as they were before, well, you know!
Posted by: Martha Stewart at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (II3Gr)

==========

Foreplay with Martha Stewart sounds weird.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (LvTSG)

493 Avenatti cross examining Daniels out to be off the hook:

A: Didn't I represent you as promised for $300K

D: Well, I remember that your instructions were for me to blow you daily and take it up the behind while turning over the money to you. If you mean by represented by you, I did have to deal with little Mikey on a daily basis.

Posted by: Cheri at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (/oxYv)

494 Improving one's position? This isn't hard.

What sort of position? Remember: the context is "its hard to make enough money to pay for all the stuff I want" here, not spiritual or personal fitness.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (KZzsI)

495 Plantations serve for farming, ranching, and hunting. Farms are farms. Plantations are 100's of years old with original architecture and some have large new hunting cabins as well. Also, the servant's quarters.
You can lynch people on plantations and feed the bodies to your hogs. On farms they are a stabbing people and depose of the bodies in their possum farms.

Posted by: old money plantation owner at January 25, 2022 01:22 PM (cfMQA)

496 Cowboy, fingering a rope
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (KZzsI)

Oh, oh, GOD, a little faster, just a little faster...oh god oh god OH GOD

Posted by: A rope at January 25, 2022 01:22 PM (II3Gr)

497 Congress should be given standard open barracks housing at a nearby military facility.

Like I had in boot camp.
Meal pass there too.

Their flunkies can take care of their laundry.
They can take a public bus to the Capitol.

Posted by: torabora at January 25, 2022 01:22 PM (YdnVw)

498 These guys take it as a lifetime sinecure, once they get elected the first time.
----/

I would too. That is the only rational decision.
There are 3 sure fire ways to generational wealth. Inherit, win the lottery, work in government.

Posted by: Drc at January 25, 2022 01:22 PM (vbaSG)

499 And never slept in the wet spot.

Well, then you haven't really experienced life's little pleasures.

Posted by: Sandra Flook at January 25, 2022 01:22 PM (Xrfse)

500 Nood.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 25, 2022 01:22 PM (dNqv+)

501 Cowboy, fingering a rope
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at January 25, 2022 01:20 PM (KZzsI)
----
Oh, oh, GOD, a little faster, just a little faster...oh god oh god OH GOD
Posted by: A rope at January 25, 2022 01:22 PM (II3Gr)
++++
Not something I ever expected to see, read, consider, or envision. LOL

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 25, 2022 01:22 PM (DU+/6)

502 Foreplay with Martha Stewart sounds weird.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Searching with John Ford at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (LvTSG)


That sounds like a new show on Bravo though!

Posted by: blaster at January 25, 2022 01:23 PM (9otr5)

503 Tater: "He was, he was. I was all a'spud at the prospect, and all 30 of my eyes spasmed with glee."
Posted by: Thrawn at January 25, 2022 01:21 PM (Rl7KJ)

IT IS FUNNY BECAUSE STELTER IS A POTATO!

~ whoever is taking over for Ben R.

Posted by: DoublySymmetric(Mobile) at January 25, 2022 01:23 PM (9mfKN)

504 Nood

Posted by: 496 at January 25, 2022 01:23 PM (VJsqe)

505 For anyone who's ever had to deal with that embarrassing and uncomfortable "wet spot" on the bed, here are five different and very easy ways to get rid of that spot and have your sheets as dry and comfortable as they were before, well, you know!
Posted by: Martha Stewart

1. Do it at her house. Let her husband sleep in the wet spot.
2. Get two queen beds at the motel. Let her sleep in the wet spot.
3.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 25, 2022 01:23 PM (uXonU)

506 Sigh. There's always a nood when I try and contribute.

Posted by: Sandra Flook at January 25, 2022 01:24 PM (Xrfse)

507 Fine

Posted by: Skip's Phone at January 25, 2022 01:24 PM (vWk2R)

508 If Joey Brain Fart sends our sons and daughters to war, it's only fair he sends Hunter to the front line.
........

His breath would kill them all.

Posted by: wth at January 25, 2022 01:24 PM (v0R5T)

509 There. The Left's work is done here.

Posted by: blaster

Blaster,
Politicians are eminently replaceable--they are 'servants' of their electorates. If you found your 'servant' out pawning the family silver then you would fire them if not put them in jail. Same as you saw them watching what stock trades or deals that you made and then going into trading on that information themselves.

Corrupt officials like crooks exist in every different form of government and regime. The techniques can vary depending on the society and government at the time but one thing is always true. You can fire them and get others to do their job even if they don't go to jail.

Posted by: whig at January 25, 2022 01:25 PM (Iq9dF)

510 Love him or hate him, Jim Traficant refused to participate in the DC economy and lived in a sailboat at the marina.

Posted by: pawn at January 25, 2022 01:27 PM (kYVzH)

511 My biggest surprise in this story was that *only* 35 members of Congress beat the S&P 500.

Posted by: Formerly known as Skeptic at January 25, 2022 01:33 PM (FR+I0)

512 442 Didn't Harry Reid retire from Congress worth tens of millions of dollars despite being a "public servant" his whole life?

You can't get that rich from a $200k salary and live in DC without some shady shit on the side.

LBJ was the same way, guy died really rich despite just getting a pretty menial salary most of his life.
Posted by: Hylian at January 25, 2022 01:14 PM (YsTC1)

Harry Reid's residence in DC was the Four Seasons Georgetown. His DC residence.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 25, 2022 01:36 PM (hIom3)

513 So glad we have hero archetypes like Dan Crenshaw on our side.

Aces comment about Crenshaw having his eye on the presidency reminds me of a story my fourth grade teacher, Ms Howler, told. She was a freshman in high school where the bookish Peter Falk was a senior. Falk was asked to watch over the class but wanted to read. So he sat down, pulled out his glass eye, put it on the desk so it was staring at the horrified freshman, and told them he had his eye on them.

I tend to believe the story. It was pre-Internet, and she gained nothing but some classroom amusement from telling it to a bunch of 1974 4th graders. And my memory was she was a cute blonde too that I had a crush on!

Posted by: Loki, a hero archetype, just like Supes and Jeezus at January 25, 2022 01:42 PM (ZW1rs)

514 Don't just forbid Congressmen and Senators from buying/selling individual stocks.
Also:
- No seats on Boards of Directors, whether for-profit or non-profit companies
- No stock options, no exercising previously held options
- ALL holdings in blind trusts
- No real estate holdings, no REITs
- And, most importantly, no investment for their entire nuclear family, their siblings, or their adult children. ONLY investments in 401-type broadbased funds

Posted by: Linda S Fox at January 25, 2022 01:57 PM (G6b2l)

515 I think they shouldn't be allowed to trade at all, part of their "service" to the country.

The very minimum I would accept would be day of trade disclosure. You trade, you publicly announce it within 24 hours, no exceptions.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at January 25, 2022 02:00 PM (coYBh)

516 Okay, fair enough, but... wait, you're saying you're forced to play the market because of this?

------------------

So much for the market being a risky activity.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at January 25, 2022 02:03 PM (sX1BW)

517 Congress shouldn't be able to own anything other than an SP 500 index fund.

Posted by: Biden Stercore in eius braccae at January 25, 2022 02:07 PM (0hHNz)

518 This graph is stupid. Are you telling me that 35 congresscritters did better than the market index? So should I take from this that 500 did worse? That's pathetic, actually. It SHOULD be about 50/50.

Posted by: Burton M at January 25, 2022 02:11 PM (kti+n)

519 In the land of the blind, even a one-eyed squirrel fucks a pumpkin twice a day.

Posted by: The Yzzerdd at January 25, 2022 02:14 PM (ADf3g)

520 Easy solution here for Poor Baby Crenshaw:

-Term limit everyone in government (congress, Pres., bureaucrats)
-Ban trading on stocks while in office and for a year after leaving office
-Make congresscrittering a part-time job, unable to work more than 180 days a year

Posted by: Citizen Freeman at January 25, 2022 03:19 PM (FPuSC)

521 Kids need to mask up to better themselves!

Posted by: Citizen Freeman at January 25, 2022 03:23 PM (FPuSC)

522 First of all, it wasn't that hard with an Index ETF when you knew the market (economy) was actually strong. I have been buying in the latest drop, including yesterday (which is probably the bottom) with Index/Sector ETFs. Where Dan really show his stupidity was doing SPY instead of DDM or SPXL.

Posted by: JB at January 25, 2022 03:29 PM (7uUvX)

523 Proving yet again that Mark Twain was not kidding when he said that "America has no natural criminal class - except for Congress."

PS- Note to Burton M (comment 51, Maybe the rest of the Congresscritters don't play the stock market. There are other, more traditional forms of graft and grift that have long been favoured by politicians (suitcases full of used twenties, for instance). Stock markets have way too much "disclosure" for many politicians. Just saying.

Posted by: webley silvernail at January 25, 2022 04:19 PM (MvW7J)

524 This reaffirms my time in SF- never trust or believe a SEAL. They will stab you in the back to get ahead every time.

Posted by: motu at January 25, 2022 04:28 PM (31l4t)

525 Congresscritters and those employed by the government as well as their families should only be allowed to invest in T-bills for the duration of employment by the government

Posted by: JD at January 26, 2022 02:55 PM (xji+j)

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