Email from Nancy Pelosi & DCCC....with link to petition

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http://www.dccc.org/honest_leadership/hl_petition/index.pl


Dear Friend,



Today, Democrats across America -- including those in the U.S. House and Senate, our governors, mayors and state legislators -- are declaring that it is time to end the Republican culture of corruption prevailing through all levels of government. We are committed to immediate change to lead this country in a new direction, to put an end to Republican business as usual, and to make certain this nation's leaders serve the people's interests, not special interests. For us, this commitment spans our lifetime, as we were elected to represent the people, not the powerful.

Democrats joined together today to give a stark reminder of what real responsibility and real reform look like. United and strong, Democrats unveiled today an ethics and lobbying reform package that is about real change and has real teeth, entitled, Honest Leadership and Open Government.

Demand Aggressive Reform. Sign the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act Petition Now.

With honest leadership and open government, America's leaders can once again focus on the urgent needs of the American people: real security overseas and at home, economic strength and educational excellence, affordable health care, energy independence, and retirement security.

Throughout history, when the excesses of a corrupt establishment have gone too far, the American people have risen up and demanded reform of the political process to correct our nation's course. We ask you to join us in doing that now.

Demand Aggressive Reform. Sign the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act Petition Now.

For more than 10 years, Speaker Hastert and House Republicans have stood by silently while every single Republican in the House enabled and benefited from the Republicans' Culture of Corruption, at the expense of the American people. This must end.

Demand Aggressive Reform. Sign the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act Petition Now.

The Democratic Honest Leadership and Open Government Act would:

End ALL Gifts from Lobbyists. Skyboxes at football games. Steak dinners at the most expensive restaurants in town. Golf trips at the finest courses in the world. Such are the perks that have greased the wheels of Republican corruption, and it ends now.
Close the Revolving Door. Close the revolving door between the Congress and lobbying firms by doubling (from one year to two) the cooling-off period during which lawmakers, senior Congressional staff, and Executive Branch officials are prohibited from lobbying their former offices. Prohibit Members turned lobbyists from lobbying on the House floor.
Toughen Public Disclosure of Lobbyist Activity. Significantly expand the information lobbyists must disclose - including campaign contributions and client fees. Require them to file disclosure reports electronically, and increase the frequency of those filings. Require lobbyists to certify that they did not violate the rules, and make them subject to criminal penalties for false certifications.
End Efforts like the "K Street Project." This brainchild of Tom DeLay is a scheme whereby Republicans systematically bully and co-opt lobbyists to become one of their "team," just as Jack Abramoff was. Republicans would tell corporations and lobbying firms whom they should hire in exchange for political access.
Prohibit Cronyism in Key Appointments. End rampant cronyism by requiring that any individual appointed to a position involving public safety possess proven credentials, and training or expertise in one or more areas relevant to the position. We can't afford another Mike Brown at FEMA.
Establish Zero Tolerance for Contract Cheaters. Restore accountability and openness in federal contracting by subjecting major contract actions to public disclosure and aggressive competition; criminally prosecuting contractors who cheat taxpayers, with penalties including suspension and debarment; imposing stiff criminal and civil penalties for wartime fraud on government contracting; prohibiting contractors with conflicts of interest from conducting oversight or writing contract requirements they could bid on; mandating full disclosure of contract overcharges; creating tough penalties for improper no-bid contracts; and closing the revolving door between federal contract officials and private contractors.

Demand Aggressive Reform. Sign the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act Petition Now.

Republicans and massive industry lobbies have fused into one massive money machine, and the American people have paid the price.

Companies like Enron and Exxon write America's energy policy, and big drug companies write the Medicare prescription drug bill. Republican leaders have made the terms of the deal very clear. Those who make an investment in keeping Republican leaders in power will see a huge return on their investment in the form of corporate welfare, no-bid contracts and favorable regulation -- at the expense of the public interest.

Tom DeLay pioneered this entire unprecedented "team effort" -- manifested in the "K Street Project" -- and both leading candidates to take his place as Republican House Leader have replicated that system.

We need to shatter this system into a thousand pieces, and to make sure it never returns. To do that, Democrats have united behind the Honest Leadership and Open Government platform, showing the kind of morality and conscience that drives our party. It's the same conscience that drives us to push for real help so our seniors can afford prescription drugs, a real energy policy that prevents gas price gouging, and a real chance for college education for all Americans.

Lend your voice to the chorus for real reform and show the corrupt Republican Congress that you support real reform.

Demand Aggressive Reform. Sign-on as a citizen co-sponsor of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act Now.

Honest leadership is not a partisan goal -- it is the key to a stronger nation. It is time to put progress ahead of politics. Together, we can change this government and rebuild trust with the American people. We call on Republicans to join Democrats in restoring honest leadership to all levels of government. The American people deserve nothing less.

Sincerely,

Nancy Pelosi
House Democratic Leader

P.S. Please join us today to take the corruption out of Washington and tell your elected officials it is time to restore integrity and honesty to Washington.

Demand Aggressive Reform. Sign the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act Petition Now.

http://www.dccc.org/honest_leadership/hl_petition/index.pl