Macaca
08-15 07:28 PM
Honest and Open Thievery (http://www.reason.com/news/show/121947.html) The limits of Congress's ethics reforms By Jacob Sullum, August 15, 2007
In a letter posted at Congress.org, a constituent praises Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Ariz.) for his "brilliant intellect." As evidence, Mitchell's admirer cites the congressman's vote for the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.
The margin by which the act passed�411 to 8 in the House, 83 to 14 in the Senate�takes some of the shine off Mitchell's brilliance. Still, he's probably smart enough to realize what his colleagues evidently understand: Congress's new honesty and openness are not what they're cracked up to be.
The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act requires that special appropriations added by individual legislators be listed in an online database at least 48 hours before they come to a vote. Critics such as Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) complained bitterly about a loophole: Congressional leaders can certify that a bill contains no earmarks, and there's no way to challenge that determination.
A deeper problem is that publicity does not deter wasteful, parochial spending that legislators want to publicize. Consider what happened last month when Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) challenged a $100,000 appropriation for a prison museum near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The earmark's sponsor, Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), defended the honor of Leavenworth County, bragging that "we probably have more prisons...than any other county in the United States." She indignantly added that "the local residents are proud of their heritage and rightly so," since Leavenworth has hosted the likes of George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Nazi spy Fritz Duquesne.
The House approved Boyda's earmark by a vote of 317 to 112. Later she told The New York Times, "Democracy is a contact sport, and I'm not going to be shy about asking for money for my community."
So far this year the Democratic House has approved spending bills that include some 6,500 earmarks, not quite keeping pace with the Republicans' record of nearly 16,000 in 2005 but more than twice the whole-year total of a decade ago. Far from shaming legislators into fiscal restraint, the Times reports, "the new transparency has raised the value of earmarks as a measure of members' clout" and "intensified competition for projects by letting each member see exactly how many everyone else is receiving."
Congressional shamelessness likewise may undermine the goals of the new Senate ban on anonymous holds. A hold occurs when a senator refuses to let a bill or nomination proceed by unanimous consent, thereby requiring the measure's supporters to muster 60 votes to allow consideration of the measure.
Holds obviously can be used for purposes that offend supporters of limited government�to extort pork, for example, or obstruct fiscal reform. But any tool that blocks legislation is apt to do more good than harm. Notably, the hold's defenders include fiscal conservatives such as Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) as well as big spenders such as Robert Byrd (D-W.V.).
Still, it's hard to find fault with the new requirement that senators publicly identify themselves and state their reasons when they block legislation. We just shouldn't expect too much as a result of this openness. As with earmarks, legislators don't try to hide their actions when they're proud of them, even if they shouldn't be. Interestingly, no one put a secret hold on the secret hold ban.
Transparency may also prove overrated as a way of preventing lobbyists from influencing legislators by arranging campaign contributions. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act requires public disclosure of "bundles" totaling $15,000 or more in a six-month period. Like the new attention to earmarks, highlighting these donations may simply spur competition, as K Street's denizens strive to keep up with their neighbors.
Although honesty and openness are surely preferable to dishonesty and secrecy (in politics, at least), they're not an adequate solution to a government that does too much and is therefore a magnet for people seeking gifts and favors. If a pickpocket becomes a mugger, he becomes more open and honest, but that doesn't make him more admirable.
In a letter posted at Congress.org, a constituent praises Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Ariz.) for his "brilliant intellect." As evidence, Mitchell's admirer cites the congressman's vote for the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.
The margin by which the act passed�411 to 8 in the House, 83 to 14 in the Senate�takes some of the shine off Mitchell's brilliance. Still, he's probably smart enough to realize what his colleagues evidently understand: Congress's new honesty and openness are not what they're cracked up to be.
The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act requires that special appropriations added by individual legislators be listed in an online database at least 48 hours before they come to a vote. Critics such as Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) complained bitterly about a loophole: Congressional leaders can certify that a bill contains no earmarks, and there's no way to challenge that determination.
A deeper problem is that publicity does not deter wasteful, parochial spending that legislators want to publicize. Consider what happened last month when Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) challenged a $100,000 appropriation for a prison museum near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The earmark's sponsor, Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), defended the honor of Leavenworth County, bragging that "we probably have more prisons...than any other county in the United States." She indignantly added that "the local residents are proud of their heritage and rightly so," since Leavenworth has hosted the likes of George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Nazi spy Fritz Duquesne.
The House approved Boyda's earmark by a vote of 317 to 112. Later she told The New York Times, "Democracy is a contact sport, and I'm not going to be shy about asking for money for my community."
So far this year the Democratic House has approved spending bills that include some 6,500 earmarks, not quite keeping pace with the Republicans' record of nearly 16,000 in 2005 but more than twice the whole-year total of a decade ago. Far from shaming legislators into fiscal restraint, the Times reports, "the new transparency has raised the value of earmarks as a measure of members' clout" and "intensified competition for projects by letting each member see exactly how many everyone else is receiving."
Congressional shamelessness likewise may undermine the goals of the new Senate ban on anonymous holds. A hold occurs when a senator refuses to let a bill or nomination proceed by unanimous consent, thereby requiring the measure's supporters to muster 60 votes to allow consideration of the measure.
Holds obviously can be used for purposes that offend supporters of limited government�to extort pork, for example, or obstruct fiscal reform. But any tool that blocks legislation is apt to do more good than harm. Notably, the hold's defenders include fiscal conservatives such as Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) as well as big spenders such as Robert Byrd (D-W.V.).
Still, it's hard to find fault with the new requirement that senators publicly identify themselves and state their reasons when they block legislation. We just shouldn't expect too much as a result of this openness. As with earmarks, legislators don't try to hide their actions when they're proud of them, even if they shouldn't be. Interestingly, no one put a secret hold on the secret hold ban.
Transparency may also prove overrated as a way of preventing lobbyists from influencing legislators by arranging campaign contributions. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act requires public disclosure of "bundles" totaling $15,000 or more in a six-month period. Like the new attention to earmarks, highlighting these donations may simply spur competition, as K Street's denizens strive to keep up with their neighbors.
Although honesty and openness are surely preferable to dishonesty and secrecy (in politics, at least), they're not an adequate solution to a government that does too much and is therefore a magnet for people seeking gifts and favors. If a pickpocket becomes a mugger, he becomes more open and honest, but that doesn't make him more admirable.
wallpaper Not super dressy hair but
Blog Feeds
11-18 02:50 AM
USCIS has updated the H-1B cap count. (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=138b6138f898d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=91919c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD) As of November 6, 2009, CIS has received approximately 54,700 cases against the regular (non-Master's) H-1B cap. For more information, see the previous blog posts here (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/search/label/H-1B).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2893395975825897727-5017938440013440663?l=martinvisalaw.blogspot.com
More... (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2009/11/h-1b-cap-count-updated_17.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2893395975825897727-5017938440013440663?l=martinvisalaw.blogspot.com
More... (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2009/11/h-1b-cap-count-updated_17.html)
spicy_guy
09-30 12:20 AM
I meant the Last Updated Date and not the case status . Sorry for the confusion
That means nothing. Regular mass updates. Don't keep false hopes.
That means nothing. Regular mass updates. Don't keep false hopes.
2011 wavy prom hairstyles 2009
roseball
04-17 05:24 PM
Holding an I-20 doesnt mean anything if you dont enroll for the required minimum credit hrs...You have to enroll....
more...
srikondoji
09-08 10:12 AM
All along we have worked with MA chapter and now we are making all out efforts and starting a new group for NH members.
Please join this group as soon as you can
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NH_Immigration_Voice/
Best regards
sri
Please join this group as soon as you can
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NH_Immigration_Voice/
Best regards
sri
dreeft
04-09 02:27 AM
All very cool.
more...
RonWeisly
08-09 06:51 PM
Hi,
I believe someone already asked a similar question but I just want to describe my exact situation:
- My LC (EB3) got approved on July 2007, PD is March 2007 - Company A
- My I-140 and I-485 were filed concurrently on July 2007 - Company A
- I work as a contractor and my client (Company B) is offering me a full-time job and would like me to join on Sept 2007
- I still have 4 years on my H1B
With the assumption that my current employer (Company A) will give full cooperation on my current GC process, if I join company B on H1B transfer now, can I possibly invoke AC21 later after my I-140 gets approved and I-485 is pending for more than 180 days?
I'll greatly appreciate any comments.
I believe someone already asked a similar question but I just want to describe my exact situation:
- My LC (EB3) got approved on July 2007, PD is March 2007 - Company A
- My I-140 and I-485 were filed concurrently on July 2007 - Company A
- I work as a contractor and my client (Company B) is offering me a full-time job and would like me to join on Sept 2007
- I still have 4 years on my H1B
With the assumption that my current employer (Company A) will give full cooperation on my current GC process, if I join company B on H1B transfer now, can I possibly invoke AC21 later after my I-140 gets approved and I-485 is pending for more than 180 days?
I'll greatly appreciate any comments.
2010 How to get Carrie#39;s dressy
kate123
06-01 03:21 PM
If you want to retain your priority date your I 140 should be approved from your old employer, else you need to start from scratch again.
more...
roseball
07-11 12:57 PM
Do note that AILF does cover people who were eligible to file in July but did not file due to USCIS/DOS revised bulletin.....However, it is unknown at this time what the outcome of the lawsuit would be for July applicants vs eligible but non-applicants as the decision is at the discretion of the Judge.....
IMHO, its better to file and get rejected......
IMHO, its better to file and get rejected......
hair new hairstyle look dressy
Didiusthegreat
09-21 09:41 AM
Hi, I've been reading your post, but I do not understand. What do you exactly want to know?
How you should twist an object??
Please tell me
How you should twist an object??
Please tell me
more...
Blog Feeds
02-23 12:40 PM
My law school roommate and long time friend Henry Olsen is the vice president of the conservative think tank the American Enterprise Institute. He's written an essay for the National Review entitled "The Way of the Whigs" and it talks about the danger the GOP faces in terms of long term survival. This might seem strange given the recent polling problems the Democrats have experienced, but Henry writes that there are long term forces at work that Republicans need to heed. One is the growing Hispanic electorate which has shifted decidedly toward the Democrats over the last two election cycles....
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2010/02/the-way-of-the-whigs.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2010/02/the-way-of-the-whigs.html)
hot Dressy Hair Designs for Prom
vaayu
05-26 11:33 AM
We always e-file both AP and EAD even when we dont use them. I recenly filed mine 2 weeks ago. Its easy and fast.
more...
house wedding hairstyles for medium
pani_6
08-06 10:35 AM
Bump^^
tattoo dressy hairstyles long
ramzi1978
12-18 10:56 PM
Hello,
I have an "intend to deny" on my GC as EB1 that I got by applying myself as primary and wife as secondary. wife is on h1b and me on h4.we got EADs and if the GC is denied, we will lose the EAD.
I want to incorporate for several reasons hence i will be using the EAD for that.
using EAD invalidates H4 ? but H4 is automatic status based on H1b .
My wife did not apply for GC as primary and me on secondary but we intend to that in 3 years when it becomes current as EB3.
I have an "intend to deny" on my GC as EB1 that I got by applying myself as primary and wife as secondary. wife is on h1b and me on h4.we got EADs and if the GC is denied, we will lose the EAD.
I want to incorporate for several reasons hence i will be using the EAD for that.
using EAD invalidates H4 ? but H4 is automatic status based on H1b .
My wife did not apply for GC as primary and me on secondary but we intend to that in 3 years when it becomes current as EB3.
more...
pictures Shoulder Length Hairstyle
mzafar125
10-04 02:49 PM
Folks,
I know this may be a little of topic but just bear with me. I am simply looking at alternatives in case the GC does not pull through. Does any one over here have any experiences living and working in the Middle east ? I just read an article about Saudi Arabia's economy dealing with record unemployment. They are in the process of taking jobs away from foreigners and giving it to the locals.
Where do we go to look for jobs in the Middle east. Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated. I'm praying my GC does finally pull through.
Thanks!
I know this may be a little of topic but just bear with me. I am simply looking at alternatives in case the GC does not pull through. Does any one over here have any experiences living and working in the Middle east ? I just read an article about Saudi Arabia's economy dealing with record unemployment. They are in the process of taking jobs away from foreigners and giving it to the locals.
Where do we go to look for jobs in the Middle east. Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated. I'm praying my GC does finally pull through.
Thanks!
dresses 5 Great Prom Hairstyles
ashishgour
10-25 06:07 PM
Hope this bill helps us !!!:confused:
http://www.immigration-law.com/
http://www.immigration-law.com/
more...
makeup dressy casual hairstyles.
vinito
08-15 02:57 PM
Was just wondering if anyone from MA/NY area with I-140 approved from NSC and I-485 also sent to NSC on July2nd have got their receipts/checks cashed.
Thanks.
Thanks.
girlfriend Jolie#39;s Dressy Hairstyle
rajsenthil
04-29 12:22 PM
I too got the lud for the same date as yours. From the earlier posting, I read that it could be a batch process, which might gave updated the record.
hairstyles Beautiful long blond Hairstyle
roseball
08-19 08:58 AM
I guess you can, provided you gain the specialized knowledge during that duration (6 - 7 months) which you currently lack to get the approval.
ramus
06-14 10:45 AM
Please do not create new thred for single question you have..
Also please follow other threds and see if your question is answerd some where.
Yes you can file for 485 even if you have 140 pending.
Since all categories are current as of july 1st, can i file for 485/EAD/AP even if my 140 is still pending. thanks.
Also please follow other threds and see if your question is answerd some where.
Yes you can file for 485 even if you have 140 pending.
Since all categories are current as of july 1st, can i file for 485/EAD/AP even if my 140 is still pending. thanks.
Blog Feeds
07-27 03:40 PM
One of the comments on my post earlier today about the killed Border Patrol agent seemed pretty harsh - accusing most BP agents of being restrictionists with bad motives. I still think that's harsh and most Border Patrol agents are honestly out to do the necessary job of protecting our country's borders. But the timing of a major scandal involving Customs and Border Patrol certainly will make many people question just who the agency is hiring. According to the NY Times: After federal border agents detained several Mexican immigrants in western New York in June, an article about the incident...
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2009/07/feds-investigating-border-patrol-agents-racist-web-posting.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2009/07/feds-investigating-border-patrol-agents-racist-web-posting.html)
No comments:
Post a Comment