Edwards focus versus real issues....

I do not think anyone here will disagree that John Edwards has turned out to be a real turd. If one thinks of it, his loss of public adoration is probably more painful to him than about all else, however, I'd much rather see the Justice Department focus on things that mean more to America than cases like this.

For example, how about a serious probe into voter fraud? This nation needs to get to the bottom of allegations electronic manipulation and other forms of voter fraud. To me, not knowing if our elections truly are fair and accurate is a much deeper and far reaching issue than that of whether some asshole like Edwards used campaign cash to shut his sugar momma up.

How about the banking issue?

But what do we get? A probe into more sex bullshit.

It's about the improper use of campaign funds, and is therefore a very appropriate use of the DOJ's resources. Edwards is accused of using campaign contributions to cover up the affair, and if that's true he deserves to be prosecuted - not for shtupping Reille Hunter, but for using money contributed by people who supported his campaign to hide the shtupping (and the kid). For that he should be ridden out of town on a rail. I hope the DOJ throws the book at his sleazy ass.

I even understand making an example of people as a way to deter other crime.

But this isn't deterring major corporations from secretly funding candidates to support anti-human policies that are helping to destroy this planet. That's a far greater election-related crime.

This is priority #127. And it seems to me they only have the money and bully pulpit to prosecute priorities #1-10.

I care a lot more that the global corporatist behemoth is destroying our way of life and the planet. Have him pay a $50 million fine to the government so we can keep some food programs alive for a few more months for starving children, and be done with it.

Where are the probes regarding (what I think are more important issues) issues that have a larger impact on America? If our elections are being corrupted like we think they are and where reporting has shown irregularities, then WHERE are similarly important investigations?

Think of it - while the DOJ is chasing this dog, over the past 8 yrs we have had many examples of possible stolen elections and these HAVE been important elections - but Americans seem more interested in sexual gotchas instead of "boring" voter fraud.

And where are the probes that Matt Taibbi wants over the banking issues?

And this is just another example of how Americans are apparently so willing to be happy with the apparent while the real problems beneath the surface are allowed to keep polluting our government.

I would much rather see the prosecutors and investigators chasing the Edwards case cut free and assigned to voting in Ohio or elsewhere, because a corrupt election is not a free election.

'A probe into more sex bullshit.' :evilgrin:

:rofl:

You just gotta take a poke at the small things. :hi:

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Think your reply is a violation of DU rules....

Do his donors care? I donated a little to his appeal of "we're going to fight the theft of the election" in 2004 and don't care at this point.

I'd much rather have DOJ tax dollars being spent chasing people who are destroying our economy and decimating the middle and lower classes through legally actionable fraud.

Personally, I am all about prosecution of misuse of campaign funds. The fact is was for his girlfriend is a side fact.

God forbid the MSM do actual reporting on what is being cut fromt eh social safety net because of the terrorism by the Republican Party.

Shiny keys baby -- lookee here....

If he was an actor or a singer, his sex life would not be detrimental to his career, might even help it.

It's a huge department, with different units charged with investigating different things.

This is a case of violation of campaign finance laws. They're laws. If they're broken they should be investigated and tried. We don't want to send the message that people can break them with no consequences. It is the DOJ's legal DUTY to pursue these cases.

This is not about sex.

The DOJ can still perform its other functions. Believe me, this is one little office devoted to this case, not the entire department.

If it is all about that then where is the Ensign probe?

It's been 3 years since the Edwards issues (and I'm sure prosecution was delayed because of Elizabeth's illness and death). The Congressional committee only recently finished its investigation of Ensign.

Right, left: this shouldn't matter in such cases. It's about whether laws were broken.

more simplistic things like glamor, celebrity and the like versus things that are too hard to follow or seen as boring

Really, think of the larger theme: what is more damaging to a democracy - a system that is so questionable the sheer magnitude of election corruption/vote tallying/voter fraud is unknown or that of some turd using campaign money to silence a paramour?

As someone else pointed out, let's look at the bright shiny thing while the true problem is distracted away from us.

on Fux, M$NBC, etc. Nothing else will get any press. THAT is what makes me angry. The Edwards case has NOTHING to do with the critical issues we're facing.

Voter fraud would be someone trying to vote multiple times or not in district or using false identity. PLus no voter fraud or very very little has occured. the crap meme from the rightards that ACORN was committing voter fraud was just that a fraud on the rightards part.When ACORN came across a funny registration it went into the suspect pile and were handed over (by law) and showed these were suspect.
Bushboys were the ones who shredded the ballots in our fl precinct while folks stood across the street and watched. Mostly because we were old and I was recovering from major surgery and should not have been out of bed to begin with.