James xc3xa2xe2x82xacxc5x93The Stainxc3xa2xe2x82xacxc2x9d Traficant surfaces again.

Every time United States Congressional corruption xc3xa2xe2x82xacxcbx9ccomes upxc3xa2xe2x82xacxe2x84xa2, James xc3xa2xe2x82xacxc5x93The Stainxc3xa2xe2x82xacxc2x9d Traficantxc3xa2xe2x82xacxe2x84xa2s name surfaces. Oxc3xa2xe2x82xacxe2x84xa2re the last few weeks, congress has talked about pruning the corruption in government. Theyxc3xa2xe2x82xacxe2x84xa2ve talked about stemming lobbyist dollars from congressional pockets and pocketbooks. They hope we believe that theyxc3xa2xe2x82xacxe2x84xa2re making head ways with this. I recall their campaign finance reform effort of a few years back-xc3xa2xe2x82xacxe2x84xa2twas like asking a junkie to oversee the reduction of her heroin use.

Herexc3xa2xe2x82xacxe2x84xa2s excerpts of some recent news stories:

xc3xa2xe2x82xacxc2xa6Rep. James Traficant, R-Ohio: $40,000. Convicted of numerous corruption charges in 2002.(Dallas Morning News)

James A. Traficant Jr., the former Democratic congressman convicted of racketeering and taking bribes, is wiling away prison time painting colorful pictures but also able to collect a congressional pension of nearly $40,000 a year.(Washington Times)

Former Rep. James A. Traficant, Jr., (D-Ohio), serving eight years after his 2002 conviction for bribery, racketeering and tax evasion, could be pulling in $40,000 a year, the group estimated. The figures are estimates because federal officials decline to disclose pension records for retired members of Congress.

xc3xa2xe2x82xacxc5x93Taxpayers will have to pay $40,000 per year to James Traficant (D-Ohio) and $64,000 to Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.) even though they have been convicted of felonies,xc3xa2xe2x82xacxc2x9d(The Hill,Washington,DC)

Former Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. (D-Ohio), serving eight years after his 2002 conviction for bribery, racketeering and tax evasion, could be pulling in $40,000 a year, the group estimated. The figures are estimates because federal officials decline to disclose pension records for retired members of Congress (The Los Angeles Times)

At the very least, something should be done about former members, such as Republican Duke Cunningham and Democrat James Traficant, who draw retirement pay while in prison. (Jacksonville Times-Union)

Senator John F. Kerry (MA) is now offering his amendment (#1), which would terminate the pensions of those congressmen who are guilty of corruption. Kerry is talking about the like of Cunningham and Traficant who will enjoy pensions despite having been thrown out of Congress and sent to jail.(Today in the Senate)