Just got this appeal from Tim Greimel, Michigan House Democratic Leader
There are still many unanswered questions regarding the House scandal, but because of Democratic leadership the Republican representatives in question no longer hold their seats and there will be a full, independent investigation into other wrongdoing by all parties involved.
Even with the ousting of two members who brought disgrace and dishonor to the Legislature, we all know there are still many unanswered questions.
What did Speaker Cotter and the Republican leadership know and when?
When did the Speaker's office first hear about the recording and the blackmail?
Did they know anything before or just after whistle-blowing staffers were fired?
What did the Speaker's Chief of Staff know?
*Why did the testimony given by the Speaker’s former Chief of Staff conflict with his comments to the House Business Office investigators?
Democrats stood up, stood together through the early morning hours, and fought against the incomplete and staged investigation, and now there will be a full, independent investigation into ALL wrongdoing. We are confident that the independent investigations by the Michigan State Police and Attorney General's office will bring this information to light.
Our goal from the beginning has been a full and independent investigation. I want to thank so many Democratic members in our caucus who showed great leadership in stopping a hurried, secretive process to ensure that a full, independent investigation.
Democrats in Lansing will fight for the truth, we will fight for justice, and we will fight to get things done.
Will you stand with us today and help us continue this work by contributing monthly? Click here to contribute now -- http://mide.ms/...
Thanks, Tim Greimel, Michigan House Democratic Leader
For a brief background on the 4 Republican legislators involved in the blackmail, sex, wrongdoing, criminal matters and more sex see:
Crazy Eddie's Motie News:First Courser and Gamrat, now Kelly and Mack
and this diary on dKos on Friday: Michigan Republicans take out their trash: Gamrat expelled, Courser resigns
Sadly, and not surprisingly, beyond the Friday stories the Michigan print media has been silent on all of this since then. One of the best detailed stories from Friday:
Eclect a Blog - Progressive News and Commentary: Michigan: Courser resigns, Gamrat ousted, and Dems score a huge victory on behalf of transparency, integrity, & accountability 9-13-2015: In what can only be described as a dramatic day in Michigan politics, House legislators convened for over 14 hours yesterday to consider the matter of expelling philandering liars Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser from their institution.
The first two rounds of votes failed to oust the two as Democrats held their position, many refusing to cast a vote, in order to ensure that a full investigation by an independent agency with under-oath testimony from everyone involved.
At
NetRoots Nation in Detroit last year it seemed clear that Democracy was teetering into some other form of Government in Michigan.
Further thoughts to ponder
Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Lord Acton
Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.
John Adams
It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.
Aung San Suu Kyi
It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.
David Brin
We're taught Lord Acton's axiom: all power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I believed that when I started these books, but I don't believe it's always true any more. Power doesn't always corrupt. Power can cleanse. What I believe is always true about power is that power always reveals.
Robert Caro
It is true that power corrupts. The hope at the polling stations and the actions of the elected representatives, unfortunately, often turn to be opposite. The power of ballot turns into the power of wallet. Some law-makers become law-breakers.
Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/...