Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey indicted on federal bribery charges (ETA: FARA charges added)

[Pommer]

So you now say its okay to change it. It seemed that you were making a different claim earlier.

And all that you just posted agreed with me. That the Constitution makes allowances for change.

So now I guess I'm confused. The Constitution can be changed, but its not easy to do. And shouldn't be. Malleable makes it sound like its easily moldable. I dont think that's the case.

Hermit crabs change shells when they’ve outgrown the old one.
I still think we’re all still smart enough to hammer out a New Constitution, if needs be, let’s try that, why don’t we?

(If Trump changes the civil service culture to where they have to be “vetted” by administrative officials, that would be like a remodeler taking a dining room down to the wallboard, I’m just saying, maybe go down to the studs?)

 

[Hans Blaster]

Hermit crabs change shells when they’ve outgrown the old one.
I still think we’re all still smart enough to hammer out a New Constitution, if needs be, let’s try that, why don’t we?

We are still smart enough, but the list of people backing an "Article V" convention of the states is enough to tell me we don't just want an open modification. (I've seen some of the ideas these people have and they think they would win the battle if such a convention took place.) We are better off hanging on for dear life and making more modest fixes when we can. (For example, Pres. Biden's "no presidential immunity" proposal. Or direct election of Presidents.)

(If Trump changes the civil service culture to where they have to be “vetted” by administrative officials, that would be like a remodeler taking a dining room down to the wallboard, I’m just saying, maybe go down to the studs?)

The civil service culture has radically changed in the past w/o any need for constitutional change, from pure patronage to civil service exams.

 

[Pommer]

We are still smart enough, but the list of people backing an "Article V" convention of the states is enough to tell me we don't just want an open modification. (I've seen some of the ideas these people have and they think they would win the battle if such a convention took place.) We are better off hanging on for dear life and making more modest fixes when we can. (For example, Pres. Biden's "no presidential immunity" proposal. Or direct election of Presidents.)

The civil service culture has radically changed in the past w/o any need for constitutional change, from pure patronage to civil service exams.

I’d be open to an entirely new Constitution even going so far as changing the bicameral nature of our Congress to that of a parliamentary system, but that’s not likely…

I would happily revisit the Reapportionment Act of 1929 that affirmed the Reapportionment Act of 1911 which limited the size of the House to 435 members when our population was a scant third of what we have now.

It would take a better class of politicians (than what we’ve seen of late) to successfully wrangle 600+ votes to pass legislation in the lower chamber, and ideologies wouldn’t be tied to a party…we could see a rebirth of liberal Republicans, e.g..

Of course this is as unlikely as us cobbling together a New Constitution but it’s still fun to think upon.

 

[Hans Blaster]

I’d be open to an entirely new Constitution even going so far as changing the bicameral nature of our Congress to that of a parliamentary system, but that’s not likely…

I despise parliamentarianism, but this is not the time or place to discuss.

I would happily revisit the Reapportionment Act of 1929 that affirmed the Reapportionment Act of 1911 which limited the size of the House to 435 members when our population was a scant third of what we have now.

My preferred way to deal with this would be to make it such that at each apportionment, no state would lose representation if their population increased.

It would take a better class of politicians (than what we’ve seen of late) to successfully wrangle 600+ votes to pass legislation in the lower chamber, and ideologies wouldn’t be tied to a party…we could see a rebirth of liberal Republicans, e.g..

I don't think "liberal Republicans" would be the result, though it would be good if the parties weren't so tied to the national /presidential politics. Both "red" and "blue" states could use a "moderate" alternative that might have a fighting chance.

Of course this is as unlikely as us cobbling together a New Constitution but it’s still fun to think upon.

It is fun to think upon and I have spent many an hour doing so.

 

[rjs330]

Hermit crabs change shells when they’ve outgrown the old one.
I still think we’re all still smart enough to hammer out a New Constitution, if needs be, let’s try that, why don’t we?

I dont think that's necessary at all. I think ours works just fine most of the time. If there is an outdated part let's just take care if that. We don't need to dump the whole thing. Thats my opinion.

 

[Pommer]

I dont think that's necessary at all. I think ours works just fine most of the time. If there is an outdated part let's just take care if that. We don't need to dump the whole thing. Thats my opinion.

Good, this is all good.
”How can we all best move forward?” is the goal and the work of politics; we’re all in this together, and together will get out of this as well.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years for corruption and bribery conviction​

 

[Pommer]

Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years for corruption and bribery conviction​

But outside the court, Menendez railed against the prosecutors who brought the case and, while he didn’t publicly ask President Donald Trump for a pardon, appealed to the White House.

“Only in the Southern District of New York would prosecutors allow a witness to walk away from over 10 criminal charges, including defrauding the United States government so that they can get him to lie on the stand. Welcome to the Southern District of New York, the wild west of political prosecutions,” Menendez said.

“This process is political and it’s corrupted to the core,” he added. “I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system.”

Pardoned people can serve in an Administration, right?

 

[essentialsaltes]

Nadine Menendez, wife of former Sen. Bob Menendez, found guilty in federal bribery trial​

She will be sentenced in June, the same month her husband is due to report to prison to begin serving an 11-year sentence.

She pleaded not guilty to 15 charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. Several of the charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Following his sentencing, Bob Menendez called the prosecution a "political witch hunt" and that he hopes Trump "cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system."

 

[essentialsaltes]

Nadine Menendez, wife of ex-New Jersey senator, sentenced to 4.5 years in prison​

Prosecutors said last month she played a “critical role” in the plot, selling his influence not “reluctantly, fleetingly, or on a small scale,” but “eagerly.”

But the 54-month sentence falls short of the 7-year prison term the government asked a judge to impose.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein granted leniency in part because of the trial she endured, her childhood in warworn Lebanon, a history of abusive romantic partners, her health conditions and her age, according to the Associated Press.