Alaska Senator Ted Stevens - R, Found Guilty of Seven Felony Corruption Counts!
Alaska made headlines again tonight when senior Senator Ted Stevens - R, who has served his state for 40 years, was convicted on all 7 counts of felony corruption! Senator Stevens is 84 years old and up for re-election on November 4, 2008. To my absolute amazement, there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress so he is NOT disqualified from continuing to seek re-election! He faces up to 5 years in Federal prison on each count.
He Should Continue to Run
Side Score: 1
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He Should Withdraw
Side Score: 5
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I stated on the other side of this debate that it IS a tough nut, however, he does have the right to await the outcome of any and all appeals he and his attorney's may make. It's possible the conviction may be overturned in appeal. At the age of 84 I'm fairly certain this may be his last term but the fact still remains that there are no laws preventing him from running or serving as a U.S. Senator or Congressman. Even if he did resign now he would still collect a hefty pension. Side: He Should Continue to Run
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This IS a tough nut but I believe for the sake of his state and the state of his country, he should withdraw. "He had asked for an unusually speedy trial, hoping he'd be exonerated in time to win re-election. Despite being a convicted felon, he is not required to drop out of the race or resign from the Senate. If he wins re-election, he can continue to hold his seat because there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress. The Senate could vote to expel him on a two-thirds vote." The verdict will be appealed but the case seems a strong one against him. Whatever does or does not happen to Senator Stevens is not the salient portion of the story. What is the most appalling and important factor in this is the fact that a convicted felon can serve in Congress at all! Equally disturbing is the fact that these convicted felons collect Congressional retirement benefits as well with a portion, and most likely a hefty portion of it, paid for by our tax dollars! Side: He Should Withdraw
I don't necessarily believe that every politician can or should be squeaky-clean (best to have a little tarnish and sympathy for the devil than be goody-two-shoes and live in ignorance). However, those convicted of corruption are obviously not to be trusted with money, power, and influence. Side: He Should Withdraw
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Tough??? What is tough about it? What is tough about making that decision...??? He took bribes...oh sure everyone is PC and doesn't say the big "B" word...but that is exactly what he did and being a senator for that long make "ME" wonder if that is the first time. He ought to resign and he ought to be in jail. Hang him high, off that balcony that he didn't seem to notice or electrify him in that hot tube that he didn't see or thought he bought for 100 dollars... Do you not think that betraying the trust of the people you represent is more than a boo-boo or a slap on the wrist...come on you'all are being to passive and that is the problem with America today...we need to throw some more tea in the bay...and some real crooks in jail...get mad America...the crooks are draining us dry. And the little middle class people like...ME...are pissed off AND LOOSING THEIR HOMES! There! Aren't you sorry you asked me?!?!?!?!? Southern smiles and RANTS...oh and world peace... Sharon ~The Baby Boomer Queen~ Side: throw his able to bribe butt in jail
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I'm never sorry when I ask you BBQu...I always know you'll tell me exactly how you feel and what you think and that's great!!! It's tough because he was just convicted and has not had due process as yet. There will be appeals and if he wins them, he's off the hook, like it or not. What boils my oil is that Congress makes no provision to not accept or expel convicted felons! Add to that the pensions they still receive at our expense. I think it's an atrocity that this has been ignored and/or overlooked by the American people and I think it's high time we addressed it. Side: He Should Withdraw
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