Ex-Iowa senator Kent Sorenson gets prison in Ron Paul pay-for-endorsement scheme

[Matt Collins]

I am a firm believer that elected officials should be held to a higher standard than mundanes. Therefore, I can justify sending Sorenson to prison while the others got probation.

Why do you say that? If these guys really did pay him that amount of money and it was all how this article says it was, why would t we stand up and cheer that at least someone ends up in prison for it?

The principle being that fair elections can't be possible when politicians are being bought and paid for...

I am a firm believer that elected officials should be held to a higher standard than mundanes. Therefore, I can justify sending Sorenson to prison while the others got probation.

Who was harmed in this process?


It's not like he was being paid for voting a certain way or introducing / killing legislation. All he did was give his endorsement, which at the end of the day means practically nothing. No one was harmed by it (and I guarantee you every legislator in Iowa was paid off by other campaigns for the same thing; this guy just got caught due to a leak by some crazy guy).


Now, to be fair, this was a tacky and maybe ethically questionable thing to do. Also since it was against the law they should not have done it not because it was hurting anyone, but because we should have wanted to be above reproach.

 

[Matt Collins]

I do not recall the exact details but it was a violation of MN law.

Iowa

 

[Matt Collins]

I would also like to know how high up it went. I can't imagine Benton throwing around $73,000.00 without some approval from someone

I don't quite think you understand the relationship that Ron and Jesse have/had.

 

[William Tell]

He's out now. Very long article in Politico about his life so far in politics, covers the scandal and his time in and release from prison. His son recently committed suicide. He's all about prison reform now that he's out, feels politics was a waste of his life. Very complex, sad, and moving story. http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...all-of-Kent-Sorenson-Tea-Party-quot-Hero-quot

 

[spudea]

All he did was give his endorsement, which at the end of the day means practically nothing. No one was harmed by it (and I guarantee you every legislator in Iowa was paid off by other campaigns for the same thing; this guy just got caught due to a leak by some crazy guy).


Now, to be fair, this was a tacky and maybe ethically questionable thing to do. Also since it was against the law they should not have done it not because it was hurting anyone, but because we should have wanted to be above reproach.

If he wasn't paid for it all would be fine. I do have a problem with politicians using their government positions and influence and marketing that to the highest bidder. 100% corrupt.

edit: didn't realize this was a bumped thread, you can ignore me no worries