tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126131564610858851.post7928536072036020357..comments2023-09-09T10:21:32.853-04:00Comments on The Hackensack: Peering Under the TARP: Foul WatersDaveinHackensackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313169814904229272noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126131564610858851.post-24633511382029838822009-03-14T20:36:00.000-04:002009-03-14T20:36:00.000-04:00Timothy Rutten of the Los Angeles Times wrote an o...Timothy Rutten of the <I>Los Angeles Times</I> wrote an op/ed about this today, <A HREF="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rutten14-2009mar14,0,518712.column" REL="nofollow">"Rep. Waters' troubling ties: The possible conflict involving OneUnited Bank is just the latest example of her seeming inability to distinguish her family interests from her public obligations."</A> Excerpt:<BR/><BR/><I>This isn't the first time Waters has run into this sort of family trouble. In 2004, an investigation by this paper showed that her husband, son and daughter had made more than $1 million trading on their relationship to the congresswoman. Their "businesses" included a golf course franchise obtained from L.A. County and at least $500,000 in commissions Williams earned consulting for a bond underwriting firm seeking business from public agencies in Waters' district. Williams had no previous experience in the bond business.<BR/><BR/>Like the bank intervention, none of this is illegal, but it makes Waters look sly and sleazy. So why does it keep happening? Why are there no consequences? For one thing, Waters' 35th District is considered one of the 10 safest districts in the House by nearly everyone who keeps track of these things. A dead parrot could win there if it had "Democrat" after its name. Waters has won at least 80% of the vote in every election for 20 years, except for 2002, when she got 78%.<BR/><BR/>This last time around, she raised $777,231 -- mostly from groups with business before her committees -- while her Republican rival, Ted Hayes, amassed just $13,227.</I>DaveinHackensackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01313169814904229272noreply@blogger.com