Cash Buy's Friends

If you read this blog, you probably read other political blogs, and you most likely realize that the Democrats are finally caving in to President Bush on FISA - the bill that allows the administration to spy on Americans without a court order. This is, to my way of thinking, a violation of the constitution, but as long as it is not challenged it stands as law.

On top of the illegal spying, the bill also allows US Telephone companies immunity from prosecution for their part in the illegal spying, should a court case ever be brought up. And now we find out WHY the Democrats are caving in favor of the bill...

Politico:

Dems who flipped on FISA immunity see more telecom cash

House Democrats who flipped their votes to support retroactive immunity for telecom companies in last week’s FISA bill took thousands of dollars more from phone companies than Democrats who consistently voted against legislation with an immunity provision, according to an analysis by MAPLight.org.

The 94 Democrats who changed their positions received on average $8,359 in contributions from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint from January, 2005, to March, 2008, according to the analysis by MAPLight, a nonpartisan organization that tracks the connection between campaign contributions and legislative outcomes.