When Silence Isn't Golden

I got mailing from Congressman John Kline (MN-R) about supporting parents and protecting children. It was a four page glossy piece of fluffy non recycleable crap that had some very cute kids on it but didn't address some of the real issues facing our country. It was flaunting in it's self promotion and propaganda...all paid for by...Taxpayers!

It's past time for John Kline to address the current corrupt culture in DC and the role the GOP (and Kline) has played. Silence is not golden...

John Kline's silence is deafening

Jack Abramoff, the disgraced long-time Washington insider who pleaded guilty to corruption, has been referred to by Congressman Tom DeLay, who has himself been indicted, as one of his "closest and dearest friends."

Tom DeLay has troubles of his own, as Abramoff stated in a Newsweek article, April 18 issue, regarding the financing of overseas trips by Abramoff, a violation of ethics rules, 'DeLay knew everything. He knew all the details."

Meanwhile, Congressman Kline, MN-02, has been silent on the blatant corruption in Congress. Why?

One answer could be John Kline has taken $30,000 from Tom DeLay's ARMPAC, and has voted with Tom DeLay 96% of the time between Jan. 1, 2004 and March 31, 2005.

Furthermore, John Kline voted to weaken the ethics rules in a move that many say served only to protect Tom DeLay. [Vote to weaken ethics rules: H Res. 5, Roll Call #6, 1/4/05]

Following the guilty pleas by Abramoff to fraud charges, there has been a rush by politicians to return money given them by him. 'John Kline should return the $30,000 he was given by Tom DeLay," said Coleen Rowley, candidate for congress, MN-02. This money is tainted, and John Kline will be beholden to Tom DeLay and covering up DeLay's misdeeds as long as it is in his bank account."

'Our elected officials are a reflection of who we are as citizens," Rowley continued. 'We deserve a congressperson who does the right thing and votes to protect the interests of the second district, not someone who votes to cover-up the misdeeds of corrupt congressional members," Rowley said.