The House Ethics Committee is currently investigating Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. - he allegedly offered to pay Gov. Rod Balgojevich to appoint him to the Illinois U.S. Senate seat that was vacated by Barack Obama.
But as The Hill reported this week, Jackson may face additional charges. This time it's whether Jackson directed a benefactor to pay for an airplane ticket for his mistress. Jackson doesn't deny the charges. Instead he claims that the ticket did not violate House rules since "it was not a personal benefit to me."
Yeah, right.
Once, when I met a nephew of a prominent Filipino political figure, I asked: "When the salary of congressmen and the president is only like $10,000 per year, you're basically asking for corruption. How is a politician supposed to pay for his kid's college tuition?"
"Well, it's not so tough," responded the nephew. "You gotta understand that lots of them supplement their salary with gifts."
If that's really how Jackson feels about the complimentary plane ticket--that it's not really a "gift" to him--then I suspect that Jackson's receiving lots more non-"gifts."
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Oct '10
Re: Jesse Jackson Jr. Might Face an Additional Investigation by the House Ethics Committee
Didn't Paul Volcker--who single-handedly killed inflation in the early 80s--have trouble paying for his family's healthcare during his tenure at the Fed? I can't remember.
Always good to see the Jackson dynasty in trouble. With any luck, their scourge on American politics will end when Daddy Jackson retires, and won't continue under Junior Jackson.
Nov '10
Re: Jesse Jackson Jr. Might Face an Additional Investigation by the House Ethics Committee
This is the reverend Jesse Jackson of whom you speak?
"...airplaine ticket for his mistress"??
Boy, do I feel naive...not
Jul '10
Re: Jesse Jackson Jr. Might Face an Additional Investigation by the House Ethics Committee
You've got to feel for junior. His father's "secret family" must have been very upsetting.
Oct '10
Re: Jesse Jackson Jr. Might Face an Additional Investigation by the House Ethics Committee
R. Craigen, this is his son, Jesse Jackson, a member of Congress from a district I cannot remember, but I think it's in Illinois. But the apple does not fall far from the tree, if you know what I mean.
Aug '11
Re: Jesse Jackson Jr. Might Face an Additional Investigation by the House Ethics Committee
Ooo! House Ethics Committee! Scary!
Remember how Charlie Rangel was found guilty of 11 ethics violations?
And then remember how he was stripped of his office, paid those huge fines, lost all those perks and benefits that Congress members have, had his pretty pension taken away, and spent all that time in prison?
Yeah . . . me either.