Ethically challenged California Congressman John Doolittle announced earlier today that he will not seek re-election in November. Doolittle, who has represented the eastern Sacramento area since 1991, has come under scrutiny for his ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In February of last year Doolittle was forced to give up his seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee after the FBI raided his Virginia home.
When the “Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington” announced “The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress” Doolittle made the list. Two of his fellow Republicans on the list, Duke Cunningham and Bob Ney, are currently serving time in federal prison for felony convictions surrounding their activities in Congress.
With yet another ethically challenged Republican choosing not to seek re-election that got me thinking about Santa Ana’s version of an ethically challenged Republican, Carlos Bustamante. Gustavo Arellano at the OC Weekly has written a series of articles this week that chronicle Bustamante’s shady ethical behavior. Arellano’s articles on January 6, January 8, January 9 and today January 10 clearly demonstrate that Bustamante is very astute at the “pay for play” politics that have become the trademark of the Republican’s in recent years.
Bustamante, who was recently appointed  by the Governor to the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission, has continually shown that he is willing to payback political favors to donors and supporters. As I reported earlier this week Bustamante continues to push for a $1.5 million gentrification project in order to appease one of his supporters, French Park bigot Debbie McEwen. Besides this and the apparent conflicts highlighted by Arellano, Bustamante also pushed the city of Santa Ana to waste over $150,000 on the purchase of big screen televisions from another one of his donors.
The public is growing ever tired of the crooked and corrupt politicians that are in our government. Seeing folks like Ney and Cunningham going to prison and others like Tom DeLay and Doolittle step down gives us hope that some of the bad apples are being removed. We need to see this type of clean-up at the local level as well. Bustamante is clearly tap dancing along the line of legal and illegal behavior with his actions on the Santa Ana City Council. Perhaps the California Attorney General or the Fed’s should take a closer look at Carlos, his donors/supporters and his votes on the council.
In the interim we should all lobby the California State Senate who will be voting on his nomination to the state commission. Art Pedroza over on the Orange Juice was kind enough to provide a list of those Senators phone numbers and email addresses who will be considering the Bustamante nomination. I urge you all to contact them and tell them that you don’t believe Carlos Bustamante is worthy of this appointment. Besides his questionable ethics, Carlos is a vocal opponent of affordable housing and an enemy of the poor. Is this really the type of person we want on the Fair Employment and Housing Commission?
Lets hope that Bustamante’s conscience will get the best of him and he like Doolittle will not seek re-election in November. However I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen, so I hope you will all join me in supporting whoever his opponent is. Lets send all the corrupt and ethically challenged Republican’s packing.
I thought most Republicans were ethically challenged
“Apparent conflicts”? Evidence isn’t necessary? Is that the standard for calling for someone’s resignation?
Is that a standard you are willing to apply to your council allies, Sean?
It is clear that Carlos’ actions/votes on many items before this council have directly benefitted those that have given him money. His action simply do not pass the smell test. Just because City Atty. Joe Fletcher won’t go after him does not mean that his actions are ethical.
These are the standards that should be applied to all elected officials, my allies included.
Sean,
Did Carlos cast those votes because of the contributions?
Matt,
You’ll have to ask Carlos for an answer to that.
What I do know is that Carlos has never cast a vote against those that have given him money.
Carlos’ actions don’t pass the smell test unless you are a Republican where “pay for play” is the norm.
You’ll have to ask Carlos for an answer to that.
Actually, since you’re calling on Carlos to resign based on accusations of corruption for which you have no evidence, perhaps you ought to ask him yourself.
Carlos’ actions don’t pass the smell test unless you are a Republican where “pay for play†is the norm.
I’ll pass that on to Rep. William Jefferson — you remember, the DEMOCRATIC congressman with $90,000 in cash in his congressional office refrigerator.
Matt,
I’ve spoken to Carlos in the past and unfortunately that is time I can never get back. I am not going to let him rob another second from me listening to him blather on about one thing or another.
No need to pass that along to Jefferson just pass it along to your boy Mike Carona. He was the shining star amongst the GOP psychophants in here in OC. You still propping him up over there at OC Blog?
Too bad your boy Mike is facing federal charges otherwise he might have gotten to share a cell with another one of your buddies Jeff Neilsen the child rapist. That might have saved you some gas only having to visit one prison instead of several to see all your Republican pals in the clink.
As a Democrat, I dont support William Jefferson. I think he should resign. There, does that make you feel better Matt?
Will you call on any OC GOP disgraces to resign?
Matt —
Thank God for William Jefferson or you’d have no other examples to cite. One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch. But between Doolittle, Pombo, Calvert and Cunningham, California Republicans make Jefferson look like a piker.
Let’s not forget another ethically-challenged Republican Congressman here in OC – Gary Miller.
Millers the shady real estate deals right; and Calvert’s the one with the hooker, is that correct? And let’s hope the Dukester isn’t dropping soap in jail.
Thank God for William Jefferson or you’d have no other examples to cite.
Shall I make a list for you? Should we take a look at the usual party affiliation involved in congressional corruption when the Democrats ran the place?
It’s not a function of party registration, Dan. You’re too smart to make such a dumb argument.
As for Sean: why did you and Art Pedroza ever part ways when you’re practically the identical twins of OC blogging? You’re both masters of “change the subject” tactics and quick resort to the ad hominem argument.
You’ve presented not a single, solitary shred of evidence to substantiate your claim of corruption on the part of Carlos Bustamante. Not a shred.
I point that and you respond by attacking me instead with bluster and lies. Too bad Santa Ana doesn’t have an Anger Management Commission to which Sal can appoint you.
You an Art were perfect together.