Under federal law, if a federal government employee owns stock in a company, the employee is prohibited from participating in any matter that may impact the financial interests of that company.
Also, you might want to mention that Elizabeth Warren introduced legislation in 2018 & 2020 to stop the trading of individual stocks. Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced that bill in 2020 in the House, & AOC & two other Democrats have supported this bill. Nancy Pelosi’s husband is the stock trader in her family. They certainly don’t need the money, so she should support that legislation rather than profit from suppressing it.
The issue, as I understand it, is that mutual funds are permissible but that individual stocks are not, as trades of these may be unduly influenced by information available to those in government but such information is not available to the public.
Of COURSE they're corrupt--just look at Senator Manchin and his ties to the coal industry as well as his opposition to pharmaceutical price controls, which directly benefits his daughter, Heather Bresch. It's gross and Speaker Pelosi should be ashamed to her opposition to any regulations. As an aside, the idea that I would be on the same side of an issue as the seditious Josh Hawley just nauseates me.
This should be cut and dry. The fact that they've been allowed to trade stocks for as long as they have on insider information is ridiculous. I used to like Nancy Pelosi too but seeing her immediately come out and oppose this really bothers me. Both sides of the aisle take advantage of this and it needs to stop.
If the Dems want bipartisan support of their initiatives, they need to stop opposing things that should be bipartisan. This is a perfect example. There should be NO exceptions to federal conflict of interest restrictions, and that means Congress and (especially) the President should be required to comply. The penalty for non-compliance should be disgorgement, not just a fine.
Considering that many in Congress are not exactly poor to begin with, maybe we should address more directly the proposition that our country has become an oligarchy, and start from there.
And the emperor isn't wearing any clothes. Jim, I agree with you and hadn't thought this myself until to said it. That's what the wealth disparity is. *sigh*
This is THE right question to pursue. Owning and trading stocks is legal! Our stock market is a major part of our capitalist system. So, abuse should be clearly defined. I am not an owner or trader, but I listen and read and watch and think--which led me to be alert to what was going on regarding the dangers of Covid19. [IMO, a danger not going away.] Insider information was not necessary.
If we ask presidents to put their assets in a blind trust, surely we should ask the people who make the laws around our economy to hold off of trading, but I'm not holding my breath. Wall Street is a huge part of New York's economy.
Brings to mind the 1953 Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog cartoon where Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog are friends merely going through the expected motions of their profession. There are differences, to be sure, Democrat and Republican, but both Democratic and Republican legislators ultimately feed at, and guard, the same trough. Disheartning.
While I understand, Nancy Peloisi's comment, Representatives and Senators should be held criminally liable if they fail to recuse themselves from a vote on something that they would personally benefit from. Given the conduct of our senators and representatives as well as the republican party, I have no faith or confidence in any of them. All political figures should be mandated to adhere with absolute full disclosure and violations should be dealt with with criminal sentences swiftly and severely. Of course, this would probably result in major overcrowding of our prison system!
Of course, examining the financial behaviors of our elected representatives can reveal what is behind their political decisions, e.g., Joe Manchin's protection of the coal and pharma industries. I am not suspicious that Nancy Pelosi's husband depends on her actions in the House, nor do I think she should be sanctioned ["The restriction also applies to any stock owned by a spouse"], unless evidence shows what Richard Burr's behavior revealed. I remember that 60 Minutes show, and celebrate that laws were passed in response.
So...............their idea is to peal away voters from the Democrats? How exactly will that help this situation? It will only splinter the opposition to the Trumplicans.
If we want government to work, we have to change something; if not now, when? Manchin and Sinema are not listening to those of us who elected Biden. Many of us are Democrats because it’s supposed to be the party of the worker; they clearly are not. We have an option…we can tell the politicians WE are in charge.
Also, you might want to mention that Elizabeth Warren introduced legislation in 2018 & 2020 to stop the trading of individual stocks. Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced that bill in 2020 in the House, & AOC & two other Democrats have supported this bill. Nancy Pelosi’s husband is the stock trader in her family. They certainly don’t need the money, so she should support that legislation rather than profit from suppressing it.
OR write the law in such a way that's it's reasonable.
The issue, as I understand it, is that mutual funds are permissible but that individual stocks are not, as trades of these may be unduly influenced by information available to those in government but such information is not available to the public.
Of COURSE they're corrupt--just look at Senator Manchin and his ties to the coal industry as well as his opposition to pharmaceutical price controls, which directly benefits his daughter, Heather Bresch. It's gross and Speaker Pelosi should be ashamed to her opposition to any regulations. As an aside, the idea that I would be on the same side of an issue as the seditious Josh Hawley just nauseates me.
This should be cut and dry. The fact that they've been allowed to trade stocks for as long as they have on insider information is ridiculous. I used to like Nancy Pelosi too but seeing her immediately come out and oppose this really bothers me. Both sides of the aisle take advantage of this and it needs to stop.
If the Dems want bipartisan support of their initiatives, they need to stop opposing things that should be bipartisan. This is a perfect example. There should be NO exceptions to federal conflict of interest restrictions, and that means Congress and (especially) the President should be required to comply. The penalty for non-compliance should be disgorgement, not just a fine.
We've got a long way to go to make Congress less corrupt, but removing conflicts of interest such as this would be a great start.
Considering that many in Congress are not exactly poor to begin with, maybe we should address more directly the proposition that our country has become an oligarchy, and start from there.
And the emperor isn't wearing any clothes. Jim, I agree with you and hadn't thought this myself until to said it. That's what the wealth disparity is. *sigh*
Seems like shame is pretty much passé, too.
Why Oh Why would they gut the STOCK ACT?
This is THE right question to pursue. Owning and trading stocks is legal! Our stock market is a major part of our capitalist system. So, abuse should be clearly defined. I am not an owner or trader, but I listen and read and watch and think--which led me to be alert to what was going on regarding the dangers of Covid19. [IMO, a danger not going away.] Insider information was not necessary.
If we ask presidents to put their assets in a blind trust, surely we should ask the people who make the laws around our economy to hold off of trading, but I'm not holding my breath. Wall Street is a huge part of New York's economy.
I wish I could remember which Alert Reader sent me the link to the Mother Jones article about KYRSTEN Sinema - it's ridiculously helpful. For anyone who isn't me, here it is again: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/05/from-radical-activist-to-senate-obstructionist-the-metamorphosis-of-kyrsten-sinema/
Pelosi, along with many others need some consiousness raising
Brings to mind the 1953 Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog cartoon where Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog are friends merely going through the expected motions of their profession. There are differences, to be sure, Democrat and Republican, but both Democratic and Republican legislators ultimately feed at, and guard, the same trough. Disheartning.
While I understand, Nancy Peloisi's comment, Representatives and Senators should be held criminally liable if they fail to recuse themselves from a vote on something that they would personally benefit from. Given the conduct of our senators and representatives as well as the republican party, I have no faith or confidence in any of them. All political figures should be mandated to adhere with absolute full disclosure and violations should be dealt with with criminal sentences swiftly and severely. Of course, this would probably result in major overcrowding of our prison system!
Of course, examining the financial behaviors of our elected representatives can reveal what is behind their political decisions, e.g., Joe Manchin's protection of the coal and pharma industries. I am not suspicious that Nancy Pelosi's husband depends on her actions in the House, nor do I think she should be sanctioned ["The restriction also applies to any stock owned by a spouse"], unless evidence shows what Richard Burr's behavior revealed. I remember that 60 Minutes show, and celebrate that laws were passed in response.
It is time to give up on the republicans, who are brain dead and the democrats, who can get nothing done.
https://www.forwardparty.com/
We must try something else. “ Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result"
Listen to this weeks podcast Forward with Andrew Yang and Marianne Williamson. They were there…they know.
So...............their idea is to peal away voters from the Democrats? How exactly will that help this situation? It will only splinter the opposition to the Trumplicans.
If we want government to work, we have to change something; if not now, when? Manchin and Sinema are not listening to those of us who elected Biden. Many of us are Democrats because it’s supposed to be the party of the worker; they clearly are not. We have an option…we can tell the politicians WE are in charge.