It’s Bribery

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Is it bribery?
Help us demand an answer. Add your name.

    Demand to know why someone on the House Armed Services Committee received a $500,000 “bonus” from a weapons manufacturer

    Tom MacKenzie took the money. We’re raising our voices to expose the bribery.

    Our investigative news team at Republic Report broke this story late last week. The giant defense manufacturer Northrop Grumman gave one of its lobbyists a half-million dollar bonus right before he left to serve on the congressional committee that oversees defense budgets.

    In fact, it was Republic Report’s research that got Senator Blumenthal riled up. He’s demanding answers and making national headlines. Now it’s our job to follow up on their great work and put some muscle behind this effort. We’re sending signatures from thousands of Americans to Blumenthal’s office, supporting the inquisition.

    Add your name and then share this page with as many people as you can.

    Together, we can get Tom MacKenzie fired. This is a clear conflict of interest and it should be stopped.

    Comments

    • R. Bruce McCormick

      Welcome to our Fascist government.  Government by the Corporations and for the Corporations.

      • http://www.facebook.com/mrrphhh Mrrphh O’Shea

        Which have been declared to be people, remember.

      • Guest

        Yes, and if you vote Mitt Romney into the White House, I’m afraid that’s exactly what we’ll have from now on.

        • balding

          I can’t remember what I said, but I stand by it. :o )
          Just a quote.

    • Ellenamartin

      This is just another of the Republicans disasters. What do you suppose, thanks to our Supreme Court and big money, do all these Corporations and wealthy Republicans demand in return to all the money given to Mitt Romneys election? Paybacks for our Country and its people are all in favor of buying this election.
      Mover this Country forward, vote Democratic, we are for the middle class of America.

    • Mike

      Lets talk about the helicopter gunships the Russians are sending to Syria? Any ideas on who sold them to Russia? Try the United States! How hypocritical is that, interesting how we work, eh?

    • Mkcrabb

      Didn’t Haliburton give an enormous ‘bonus’ to Dick Cheeney when he left to run for Vice President???  These payments are either a bribe or pre-payment of salary for work done for the corporation while holding a position in the government.  They should all go to jail.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003014702018 Robert J. Borriello

      What do YOU think about this?

    • (guest)

      Time for you crooked ass politicians to stop this “BULLSHIT”. If you can’t, I’m sure some day real soon, we will !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Harry Trimble

      Is this a revival of what Dwight Eisenhower warned us about years ago, the “MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX”?

      • http://www.facebook.com/mrrphhh Mrrphh O’Shea

        Not a revival.  It never died.  In fact, it has grown mightily since Reagan.

    • http://www.facebook.com/rhona.gold Rhona Gold

      ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?  But then again. ’twere ever this.  Getting this one guy fired may not change this despicable practice but, as my mother used to say, “it couldn’t hurt”.

    • Billrehberg

      Any time A government official accepts money, or any other “perk” from a Lobiest…it is bribery, no mater how they try to hide it, or what they call it. It doesn’t matter what party affiliation, both participants need to go to jail. It is the Military Industrial Complex and the only way to stop it, is to put them in jail where they belong.

    • Billrehberg

      The election is being bought by those companys so that they can start more wars and sell more bombs, bullits, airplanes and drones. They have bought the politicians on both sides to the point that it is just one party…the Greed Party. The Supreme Court, or at least the majority that made “Super Pacs” legal, have also been bought and paid for. They are all selling the United States to the highest bidder. If the politicians wanted the needed change, it would happen. Obviously, they are all happey with the money they are receiving, and so the rest…the bickering and other B.S. is all for show.

    • Yojimboat

      …vote democrat…

      • nohelpnow

        Vote Progressive

    • Psycles369

      Congress is a cesspool of corruption, throw them all out, and fire the staffs. Let’s start over.

    • http://twitter.com/HarrysFodder Harry.Fodder

      Good lord! Jail time you should get. 

    • http://www.facebook.com/brian.degrego Brian De Grego

      He should be let go NOW!!!  and his Boss bought up on ethics charges!!! 

    • Billrehberg

      Democrats, Republicans…it’s all one party…the Greed Party. Whatever their “Party Line,” when all is said and done they are all on the take. Put them in jail where they belong. Voting for one party or the other does no good. They are all lying so they can keep getting their bribes…that is their job.

    • Carole

      Doesn’t this sound familiar? And yet when there’s no indictment and after the news blows over, we all forget about it.  Did anyone in Wall St or their AUDITORS go to jail for hiding their big mess? and what about the recent big bank “loss”.  Their sorry, they didn’t learn a thing.
      One real cause of this is the lack of truth and investigative reporting in the news media. we used to ridicule countries with government owned news, but ours is run by a handful of biased owners who are in turn beholding to their bosses; the advertisers. So do we get the real story most of the time unless something backfires?

      Canadians say the low 48 don’t have a clue.

      • nohelpnow

        If you have enough money you can almost get away with anything; that is what I’ve been seeing for far to long.

    • Jenndicott

      Once again “BIG BUSINESS” is sticking it to the American taxpayer while they line their pockets with their ill gotten gains. This has got to STOP!!  

    • jcman

      Corporations are people and these people are scum.  Unfortunately nobody gets elected anymore without big money.  Since there is not an initiative process as part of the federal system, we need to find people who will run on an independent status and the rest of us need to put our money where our mouth is and support them individually.

    • frid

      There is no question about it.  Washington is very corrupt.

    • Richard Waters

      This is typical and sickening and should be stopped ASAP.

    • Billrehberg

      We should also re-take ownership of the 2 partys if they still have any relevence.

    • http://www.wirthconsulting.org/ Theodore Wirth

      Business as usual and it is revolting. Come to think of it, there is not much left for us peasants to do other than revolt.

    • Hlspoor

      So so sick of this.  My government is an abject failure.  A few bright spots here and there is all.

    • Barton Hudson

      No one should be permitted to give money to any government official he or she can’t vote for. Corporations can’t vote and should not be allowed to give bribes –  er, contributions. This is a blatant conflict of interest and should be punished as any employee should be punished for a serious misdeed: he should be fired.

    • Jnpul

      Anyone who has worked in an industry or as a lobbyist for an industry should be prohibited from ever being involved in the drafting of language regulating said industry, in the enforcement of said rules upon the industry, or having any input in awarding contracts to said industry.  This would go a long way toward prohibiting the type of corruption we see in this case.

    • Robert Warren

      site won’t allow two names from 1 computer, there are two voter that use this computer who would both like to add thier names. Please fix this problem

    • Buddypvaz

      I understand your angst over this.  I share it.  But the very premise you are operating on is patently false in the USA.  Democracy is for sale.  It is not one man one vote.  It is one dollar one vote.  We, as Americans, need to take a stand.  We need to drive out the mushy middle in the marketplace of ideas.  Being a non aligned, independent voter is exactly the root of this problem.  America pick a side.  Hard Right or Hard Left then live with it.  This whipsaw every two years is destroying our democracy.  You midle voters are the reason we have gridlock.

      • http://www.facebook.com/yankheart Bob Rey

        What your proposing is what we always have had. Two parties that say things then join forces to destry who we are. We need just the opposite of what your suggesting. We need new blood and new policies, no more of this no choice 2 party system. You can still keep your values and not be a democrate or Replican. We have the Torre and the wigs again, and it took a revolution to get rid of both. Your simple answer ifor the uneducated not thse who wish to save our freedoms.

    • Gkelley0441

      It’s not bribery. It’s prostitution. Damn! That’s not fair to real prostitutes. This clown commmitted a crime as did the jerk who hired him. Throw them both in jail. Both are skeezy whores. 

    • Alexa_deToucqueville

      End legalized bribery and the madness of militarism.  Restore the republic.
      Darn that critter is cute with his prairie dog sized bazooka.

    • jRup

      It is certainly influence peddling … bribery is a thing 3rd world countries do, so it can’t be that. Let’s call it business as usual. I’m sure Wall Street would agree, too.

    • Suupercub1

      This man should be not only fired but sent to prison.  These military contractors need to be thoroughly investigated.  In 2005 Lockheed Martin came in and privatized our branch (FSS) of the FAA, resulting in numerous layoffs, stations decomissioned and retirements cancelled.  Not only this but service to the public was nearly destroyed.  Another classic case of greed.

    • lynflo

      It is not that Washington is corrupt it is that people are corrupt.
      Until we insist on ethical behavour people will not become ethical.
      Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
      What are you teaching your children about their relationship with their
      peers/  Is the way you treat your peers they way you want your peers
      to treat you?  Is the way you treat your children the way you want to
      be treated?  Don’t point a finger at Washington.  Name names of people
      in power.  Don’t vote for corruptable politicians, vote for the most
      ethical nominee.

    • http://www.facebook.com/yankheart Bob Rey

      This is business as usual in the most corrupt place on earth. I sign on for this to end. But the federal reserve has as much to do with military occupation and growth. When will we demand it’s closing? Your unsupreme supreme court opened the door to money in politics we need to close it. We are subjects here now not citizens, all of our freedoms are being eroded and the financial burden our future generations bare will increase the homeless community ten fold, your chilren and grand children. Nice job America.

    • http://www.facebook.com/yankheart Bob Rey

      Hey flo, it is because washington is corrupt. Stop covering their ass by doing what they do, blame us.

    • http://www.facebook.com/yankheart Bob Rey

      Who keeps returning these scumbags to their respetive offices? You do the ignorant american public. You would rather suffer these bastards then get rid of them. Read, learn your freedom doesn’t come cheap you need to be willing to die for it. Or let it continue and destroy your future generations.

    • Amarquis

      This is the type of conduct that is bankrupting our country.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/NYM6YU4NMZPB3N4FYOBBNEQDZY Steve

      However
      we slant it this is big corporate money in government, whether it be
      from big Oil of the Gun makers. The Founders warned us about
      Corporations and they wanted “Separation Of Corporation and
      State” but big business has purchased the elimination of so many
      of those protections out of existence over the decades. When Romney
      said “Corporations are people too” I bet the Founders were
      all rolling over in their graves with anger toward him…

      • Asowrga

        No more than they did when they as slave holders said all men are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights. The founders were not gods or even unusually scrupulous. They were the ruling class of their time looking after their own interests while trying to pacify a dangerous populous seeking their own interests. We need our own vision of a future we hope for.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2IJOKOEIESIC4IW467AFM7NZ54 Mikifinn

      This is the same as Grover Norquist setting who gets to pay taxes and who doesn’t.  Then to have those in congress agree with one person demanding that it be done.

    • Swampmounty1

      Get government out of the private sector!  Oh, but this kind of stuff – this is the private sector in government, which I guess is OK – at least CEO’s and the SCOTUS think so.

      What ever happened to integrity?

      • Mark Setter

        Integrity was sold many years ago as intellectual Property to The Big corporations, and since it is now a protected Trademark, no one is allowed to use it, for fear of being sued. (humour, or is it)

    • Dale Pollard

      These people have been so sleezy for so long they think they can do this type of bribery without fear of prosecution.  And why not – the prosecutors are just as damn low-life as they are.

    • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/RUYND7UCBYSVQI5NNCOB2QGFUA David

      Its the Military Industrial Psychosis/Complex, stupid us

    • Asowrga

      Sounds like business as usual to me. Who believes that firing this guy is going to change anything? This is how the system is designed to work! You’re supposed to sign this petition and keep believing you live in a democratic republic. Aside from social talking points, what’s the real difference between Bush Jr and Obama? Nada! Do the the ruling classes care a wit about gay marriage or abortion rights? Not likely! America is closer to fascism than democracy. Fascism is only defeated by force. Where does that leave us?

      • thatguy

        What will getting him fired accomplish? It will get one more corrupt politician out of our government. Just because it keeps happening doesn’t mean we should stop trying to hold people accountable. We don’t have fascism, but we do have force. It’s called casting a vote–halfheartedly inciting a violent uprising from behind a keyboard won’t accomplish anything. We are at a volatile time for politics in this country, and the best thing we can do is try to amend a broken system that allows for back room deals.

    • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/FDGYHBEWVNGUG763L5X4TON3JQ Nazani14

      As a veteran, I’m STILL WAITING for the Haliburton and Kellog Root people responsible for the death of fellow soldiers to do hard time.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_463G7BK76ZAQ37EAAPBNOEV3OU Drew

      So, at the end of this witchhunt, this guy gets busted for accepting a $500,000 “bonus” and goes to jail. BFD. Not one scumbag banker has even been charged with a crime after crashing the world economy, stealing BILLIONS of dollars and paying themselves massive bonuses with tax money. Somebody explain why Jamie Dimon is on the Federal Reserve Board of NY? 
      Bush and Cheney turned Iraq over to Halliburton to make billions more. Obama is no different, he has paid back his political pals too. 

      But let’s all get our panties in a twist over Tom MacKenzie?? He is just a low level schmuck who will be sacrificed to keep the masses believing there is some kind of “democracy” left in this corporatocracy. Ha ha. How sad. 

      • Asowrga

        That’s what I’m talking about! Right-on fellow traveler!

      • Newmexicocoyote

         We have GOT to do something about the Banksters. It really ticced me off when Obama’s whole cabinet was Wall Street! Other than the revolution they are expecting (even Bush made an agreement with the fucking loser Canadians to help with the anarchy that is sure to come by invading our country to keep the peace) what can be done by what is left of the middle class unless Romney the satan worshipper is elected?

    • Rixar13

      “OK, stop pretending. Last week, we found out a guy named Tom MacKenzie
      actually did this!”
      Veteran here looking for justice…

    • Hingber

      NOTHING NEW OR UNIQUE. JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL.

    • floridadem

      It seems like our whole government is based on bribery in one form or other.  Even our Congress people work a miniscule amount (7 days a month maybe if they aren’t on vacation), and makes more than the average citizen makes in a year.  This guy just got real lucky with the $500,000 bonus.  Congress just goes from getting paid by the taxpayer to being paid by a big corporation to lobby for them. 

    • TheAwareIndependent

      It’s sad to see this site loaded with partisan comments from imbeciles; the same imbeciles that spend so much time pointing their fingers at the “other guys” that the fools in Washington feel free to continue their betrayal of the citizens.  We’re such a culture of blame and division it’s no wonder the elite are taking advantage.  There will be no change until the voters themselves change, stop the petty bickering, and work for solutions that benefit everyone, not just their equally crooked party.    

    • Legal Girl

      Let the prosecutions begin!

    • noslack2327

      This nonsense will continue until someone goes to jail.

    • Jesse, Seattle, WA.

      MacKenzie needs to go.  TOTAL TRANSPARENCY FOR DEFENSE SPENDING NOW!

    • Eddie

      Can’t they be just a little discrete OR just assume we the people could care less at this point. 

    • Jkcass

      Unfortunately, the AG if he is consistent, will prosecute the whistle-blower.

    • thatguy

      To everyone saying that this won’t make any difference and it’s pointless: WHY are you spending your time on a website for an organization that is all about reforming a corrupt system? If you genuinely think it’s pointless, why are you wasting your time touting about it? Blowing the whistle on this kind of thing is EXACTLY how to achieve transparency on politics, to create a disincentive for corruption (ie getting caught). For this situation, there are two options: do something about it, or don’t do something about it. Which is more likely to initiate some kind of progressive change? Stop trolling, please.

    • Ruthyc41

      If you REALLY want to know what is going on in the military, read Drift, the new book by Rachel Maddow. You will then be informed, and horrified, as well!

      • Newmexicocoyote

         I will. Hey. Have you read Crossing the Rubicon by Michael C Ruppert? You’ll throw that book across the room at least twenty times when you see what he uncovered. He even proves who killed Bobby. Amazing book with over 600 references. He had to go underground because of who’s toes he stepped on. He was a narcotics cop for LAPD that was unknowingly being groomed by the CIA to join their putrid organization. It’s at your local library. You will be both disgusted and amazed.

    • southtpa

      In what universe would this be considered appropriate behaVIOR?

    • Mauller1

      we need transparency in all government spending on defense spending for sure. FIRE him

    • Giuseppeg47

      I venture to guess that he’s a Republican. Please keep us informed of the outcome of the investigation.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Doyle/1461116449 Robert Doyle

      Same old B.S. President Dwight Eisenhower warned of in his last State of the Union adress.

    • Pingback: Why Did The Weapons Manufacturer Bribe The Armed Services Committee Member? | Katherine Manaan

    • frank donovan

      lets get to the bottom of  this out-rage

    • Lois Munson

      This is nothing new, just another example of how corporations run our government rather than individual citizens!  Too bad – we may be too late to stop this take-over.  Certain;y if we continue to be too lazy to take an active part!

    • William R Woodburn Jr

      If it wasn’t a bribe, I ask, then what did Tom MacKenzie do to *earn* the bonus over the course of the last year’s work with Northrup Grumman, and who else got bonuses at the same time? MacKenzie’s innocent ’til proven guilty, but I think there’s enough here to call for impeachment in the House and trial in the Senate.

    • J/J

      This is the SAME as LOBBYING!!!! THEY ARE Buying our elected officials all the time—I think it’s worse now then at any time I’ve ever seen!
      If we don’t lock these people up before we loose ALL our power America is finished.
      1- Stop ALL lobbying.
      2- Stop ALL INSIDER TRADING BY OUR OFFICIALS!
      3- Stop taking OUR money from S/S and giving it elsware
      This is just a few of our problems—
      J/J
      PS–I think I remember some we elected was going to have the most TRANSPARENT administration in history???
      And it is just the opposite!!

      HaHaHa—HA!!!! It this a JOKE??–Why don’t we demand TRANSPARENCY??

    • IGeody

      Why am I NOT surprised?!!  Until we finance our elections publically, $ will ALWAYS trump patriotism and rampant, treacherous greed will drag us into the gutter where we have the choice to starve or take whatever dirty, dangerous jobs are offered, and risk our lives and our children’s future, for what THEY decide to offer.  Go Unions!  G. Sentner Jr.

    • James Lamal

      The people of this nation need to come together and hold a constitutional convention.. it is rather clear the exixting one does not function as envisioned.

    • journeywithinn

      Northrop and all of its owners should be IMMEDIATELY barred from any more government contracts. That would put a stop to this garbage once and for all. The lobbyists need their power removed, and that is how to do it if they bribe anyone. Besides..who or what ever gave the US Government the power to sell weapons, while we pay for the personnel to do it??

    • Miltfarrow

      We need a full scale revoution to take back our country from this denizen of pimps and whores- and the Fed has to be taken over and directed to make loans to the citizens at zero interest rates, rather than giving zombie banks and Fascist globalist companies trillions of dollars at the public’s expense- The 2 party system has to be taken to the graveyard  ( with or without principles) People in Government who Violated the US Constitution and the Logan act have to be tried in a court of the general public- The Psychotic Military is part of the major problem- as they are now running the country, ( not congress *see the Panetta testimony) Napolitano H/S FEMA -and the entire system has to be plowed under  ( like a bad crop) As T Roosevelt did the Mogolith Zombie companies have to be broken apart-Recind all of the agreements with the UN and NATO for a certainty-Remove the military from endless war- ( for there is the cancer that General Eisenhauer was depicting) Ci vil disobedience and ultimately a full scale revolution is a necessity as we cannot prevail with and election ( and if the Koch brothers along with the 5 miscreant members of the SCOTUS can’t behave themselves  I have a white horse a stepstool and some sturdy rope!
      The million people who signed a recall against ( the Bush Family again Gove Walker) were betrayed by the press and OBAMA as well as the Tea Paaty  and Ron Paul who sold everyone  out at the 11th hour ( but he ran with the money)
            

    • CaptainChuck

      This will continue until you fix Congress with a new Constitutional Amendment.  I like the one recently proposed by Warren Buffet in an interview on CNBC.  He was asked how to fix the debt ceiling.  Here is his suggestion:

      Congressional Reform Act of 2012
      1.  No tenure / no pension. A congressman/congresswoman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office or retired from office.
      2.  Congress (past, present, & future) participates in Social Security.  All funds in the Congressional retirement fund is moved to the Social Security system immediately.  All future funds flow in to the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people in this fund.  It may not be used for any other purpose.
      3.  Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
      4.  Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.  Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
      5.  Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care as the American people.
      6.  All contracts with past and present Congressmen/woman are void effectice 12/1/2012.  The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women, Congress made all these contracts for themselves.  Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home to work.

      I would also include term limits on all Congressmen/women in both the Senate & House (2 terms in Senate, 6 terms in House)  They serve their term(s), then go back to their previous jobs.   All campaigns must be run on public money not by corporations or special interest groups.  This would stop the corruption in our politics. 

      If you agree with this idea, please pass it on to others, as it is time to FIX CONGRESS.  We do it now or forever loose our Democracy.
          

    • roblb

      Good job Cap’n Chuck, what we need is NOT a God Damn bloody revolution, the rethuglican base have most of the guns and know how to use them, what we need is to get money OUT of politics, get progressive media more support, to get people educated about the theft, greed and corruption that has eroded democracy as we know it to the point of absolute disgrace, mostly on the side of the republiCONS. Thats right people, they are sold out LOCK, STOCK and BARREL!!!  Sure there are democrats from conservative states that must appease industry or centrists in order to get re-elected, but have any of you revolution starters noticed that the PROGRESSIVE caucus is the largest caucus in the Democratic party? We need serious REFORMS and to get folks to elect PROGRESSIVES to office that STAND for proper policy for social justice, environmental protection, civil rights, and for the good of the general populace!! I know Obama has been disappointing in many ways but he can’t do everything himself, the senate and congress have been making the reforms he would LIKE to do virtually impossible!!
       Get off your disappointed butts and VOTE for the CONGRESSIONAL candidates who won’t take corporate money!!!  Look what happened in 2010 when disappointed dems stayed home, the freakin tea party won the day!!! ARRGGG!!

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