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[quote]If a rep cannot write their own legislation they should be impeached and an immediate election to replace them should happen./quote]

How about a president? He didn't write Obamacare.

Congress launching hearings on complaints businesses targeted by 'Operation Choke Point'


A controversial federal law enforcement program that critics say targeted businesses the Obama administration didn't like is about to face a new wave of congressional scrutiny, with Capitol Hill hearings set to begin Tuesday.

Under the program, called Operation Choke Point, banks and other financial institutions were reportedly pressured to cut off accounts for targeted businesses. This included gun stores, casinos, tobacco distributors, short-term lenders and other businesses.

Critics claim the program -- overseen by the Justice Department, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other agencies -- was used to squeeze legal companies that some politicians considered morally objectionable.

"Our concern is you have agencies in the Obama administration that are using government as a weapon and they going after industries and people that they don't like," said Republican Rep. Sean Duffy, who co-chairs the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. "This is not the old Soviet Union or Venezuela or Cuba. I think it's important for all Americans to stand up and push back on policies that are an abuse of government."

The subcommittee hearings are expected to begin midday Tuesday. More may be scheduled in the future.

Brennan Appel, owner of Global Hookah Distributors, said he realized he was a victim of Operation Choke Point after he got a letter from Bank of America telling him that after 12 years of working together, it was closing all his business and personal accounts.

"I thought that it had to be a mistake," he said. "How could something like this happen when you've been with a bank since 2002 and you've had such a great relationship? With no explanation as to what you did wrong, you can only make assumptions. I'm running a legal business. I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm following the laws so why are my accounts being closed like this for absolutely, in my opinion, no reason?" Appel said.

Appel said a few months later, his payment-processing company also dropped him. "I started this business when I was 18 years old, funded my way through college with it and have continued on growing the company into what it is today. And I feel like, why do you get punished when you are growing a company?"

Appel began recording his conversations with Alex Bacon, the president of EFT which was his payment processor. He wanted to prove he was the target of Operation Choke Point.

An excerpt from one conversation showed the program being specifically mentioned:

Bacon: "Have you heard of a little thing, you know, called Chokepoint, you know the CFPB?"

Appel : "Yes ... yes."

Bacon : "They're taking aim at industries like you and others to eliminate you from business by choking off your payment processing."

Another conversation seems to underscore the fear among the financial industry (financial institutions reportedly were told they would face increased audits and scrutiny if they kept accounts for targeted businesses):

Bacon: "I'm an independent, third-party payment processor, and I, I, I act at the will and directive of my processing bank. If my processing bank says, 'no, you can't do this,' there's nothing I can do."

Appel: "Yeah."

Bacon: "There's literally nothing I can do."

Appel: "And they're the one that's getting forced ..."

Bacon: "Well, they're the ones that are on the front line, they're the ones that uh, that the Chokepoint people are going after."

Appel: "Yeah, because they probably tell them, if you don't do this, we're going to make your life ..."

Bacon: "We're going to make your life miserable. Instead of auditing you once a year, we're going to audit you four times a year, and then we're going to come in and look at all of this and then if we find anything negative, we're going to write it up and then you're going to incur increased costs, increased uh focus with your board of directors, and from other banking regulators. And they all run scared because they're all sheep."

Appel turned the recordings over to the U.S. Consumer Coalition, which has taken on the Operation Choke Point issue. The coalition, which is not a government entity, began working with members of Congress on it.

Several members of Congress have openly called Operation Choke Point a blatant abuse of power, and an example of government bureaucrats appointing themselves morality police so they could operate around the law.

Duffy and other lawmakers plan to question FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg about Operation Choke Point and its intention.

In response to the controversy, the FDIC put out a statement which said in part: "It is the FDIC's policy that insured institutions that properly manage customer relationships are neither prohibited nor discouraged from providing services to any customer operating in compliance with applicable law ... the FDIC has a responsibility to cooperate with other government agencies and to ensure that the banks we supervise are adhering to laws, including those governing anti-money laundering and terrorist financing."

Initially, the FDIC put out a list of 30 high-risk businesses, but that list has since been rescinded.

The U.S. Consumer Coalition claimed taking down that list only removed a guideline, and without a specific list of businesses, the subjectivity of who gets targeted was increased.

Brian Wise, with the U.S. Consumer Coalition, points out the irony. "By shutting down the bank accounts of these legally operating businesses, what they're actually doing is forcing these businesses to deal solely in cash, which is completely opposite of what they have said their intention is," he said. "It's a whole lot easier to launder money with cash than having to go through a financial institution."

Wise said questioning the chairman of the FDIC is a good start, but the problem doesn't end there. "We know that it doesn't just stop with the FDIC. This is a program that includes the CFPB, FDIC, Department of Justice and may lead all the way up to the president," he said.

Appel has found a new bank to handle his businesses for now, but has opened several backup accounts in case his new bank drops him as well.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/03/...tcmp=latestnews

In many cases on many points I would totally agree. Both have been known to flip flop. So have many other politicians on both sides of the aisle.

However, in this instance, it's quite different. The United States has long supported a Palestinian State. We have worked in negotiations for this over many administrations by both parties. For Obama to have simply caved to the whims of Netanyahu, would have shown the world that we blindly support Israel no matter what they do or which way the wind blows.

At some point, when a foreign power goes completely against your foreign policy, you must make a stand. So in this particular case, I'm glad he did. Unfortunately we look weaker because a part of our government did decide to kiss his a$$ which made our country look even more dysfunctional than before and tried to impact the election process in a foreign nation.

You mean like this?...


AP
Obama Campaign Team Arrives In Israel To Defeat Netanyahu In March Elections

by THOMAS ROSE, Breitbart

Just days after the Obama White House accused House Speaker John Boehner of “breaking protocol” by inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress, a team of up to five Obama campaign operatives has reportedly arrived in Israel to lead a campaign to defeat the Israeli Prime Minister in upcoming national elections scheduled for March 17.

The anti-Netanyahu, left wing Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports a group called “One Voice,” reportedly funded by American donors, is paying for the Obama campaign team. That group is reportedly being led by Obama’s 2012 field director Jeremy Bird.

As Jerusalem Post columnist and putative Knesset candidate Caroline Glick reported on her Facebook page, “Obama won’t meet Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington when he addresses the Joint Houses of Congress in March because of Netanyahu’s visit’s proximity to the Israeli elections. And Obama, of course believes in protocol and propriety which is why he won’t get involved.” And yet, Glick adds, “He’s just sending his 2012 field campaign manager to Israel to run a campaign to defeat Netanyahu.”

http://nation.foxnews.com/2015/01/27/oba...march-elections

So some American donors hired people who worked for Obama when he was running for president. I'd say they hired the right people since Obama won both elections.

So what does this have to do with Obama?

Sounds like someone spinning a story they have no evidence to support.

Yea, they just went ahead without Obama ever knowing. Eyes wide shut.

To make the giant leap that Obama somehow directed this to happen is nothing more than a conspiracy theory. Successful campaign people get hired all the time to run other campaigns and help aid in getting people elected.

Now of course I guess if Obama "knew about it" he should have acted like the King you all accuse him of and forbid these people from traveling to Israel? Then you'd be pouting that he acted like a dictator by stopping people from the right to travel.

All I've seen this article say is that some American citizens hired people who worked for Obama to travel to Israel and help defeat Netanyahu. Now if and when there is evidence that indicates Obama was somehow directly responsible I'll be glad to take a look at that.

So far it's "Well people who used to work for Obama went there."

You keep playing connect the dots when there aren't any dots if you like.

Keep your eyes closed, this is gonna hurt...

Cruz calls for IRS investigation of anti-Netanyahu group

Michael F. Haverluck (OneNewsNow.com) Thursday, March 12, 2015


The Internal Revenue Service is being urged by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to launch a probe to trace funds going to OneVoice (PeaceWorks Network Foundation), a tax-exempt group that's been reported to have campaigned in the upcoming Israeli election to depose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A Closer LookAccounts about the Obama administration's involvement in trying to influence Israel's election in multiple ways have surfaced in recent weeks — as WND reported about OneVoice partnering with V15 to mobilize voters to choose candidates opposing Netanyahu. As WND stated, virtually everyone on the V15 group served on President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign team and were redeployed to Israel to oust Netanyahu. (See earlier story from OneNewsNow.com)

Cruz and Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) sent a letter earlier this week to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen requesting more details about OneVoice, which is sponsored by multiple nonprofits, as well as by the U.S. State Department. Secretary of State John Kerry's State Department partners with the group and has provided it with two grants within the last year.

Cruz expressed his concern in the letter that the White House's political sway in this matter is a grave concern nationally and internationally.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/politics-govt/...up#.VRGObfzF80Q

JERUSALEM — Fox News reported today that a bipartisan U.S. Senate committee with subpoena powers is investigating the possibility the Obama administration may have aided efforts to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in this Tuesday’s elections.

http://www.wnd.com/2015/03/senate-targets-obama-meddling-in-israel-election/

You seem to miss a lot when I post. Not really surprising to me though.

I'll gladly look at any evidence they come up with. I'm certainly not an Obama supporter. I see a lot of "looking into" so far and that's fine. If they actually come up with anything that deserves looking at, I'll be more than happy to take a look at it.

So far it's nothing more than accusations. Sorry, nothing about this "hurts".

This was out right after the election. Obama's intent to influence the elections in Israel this way is a perfect example of talking out of both sides of his mouth since his reason for not meeting with Netanyhu when he spoke to Congress was that he "did not want to influence the upcoming election in Israel. Very interesting....... I'm certain many posters are just fine with this. :-)

The subpoena's will begin immediately after 47 republican congressmen are tried and prosecuted for violating the Logan act and in aiding in Netanyahu's re-election. End of story.

Finally, someone who isn't afraid to see.

You are a very funny man.

Ah, another two wrongs make it alright Lib.

Referring to my looks again will not keep you from falling off your fence.

LMAO How Hypocritical .... we all know Republicans are just fine with influencing elections all over the world as they did with this election in Israel. So why get PO'ed when you think others may have as well? Especially when the leader they are directing their influence towards won.

More like 47 tea-baggin signatures spread out on the world stage for everyone to see, and another tea-baggin doubtful hate laden accusation with no proof once again.

Yes, I know you have no problem with the President of the United States possibly using tax payer dollars to fund the opposition in another Nations elections thru his State Department. Just don't forget to hang up the rest of the Constitution when you are done in the outhouse.

Some may call it a fence. I call it not being an extremist. Extremism is what is causing the most violence in our world today. Our political system is extremely flawed on both sides of the fence. Corporations are taking over our government and both parties are guilty.

For one to praise one while chastising the other I see to be foolish. I would much prefer to be considered as riding the fence than to be so gullible as not to see that both parties are just as guilty as the other.

I don't buy into a lot of propaganda from either party. If that makes you consider me a fence rider, then I would be proud to agree.

You'll never get a chance to play if you spend all your time riding the pine.
-40

Oh, come November my vote counts the same as yours does.

Educated people voting on the premise of the referendum is a good idea. People voting based on a candidates heritage, color, neighborhood, relationship, car they drive, shoes they wear, etc is bad.

Add in that getting honest facts about a candidate and their true intent, is becoming more and more difficult. We certainly can not rely on political ads.

Pit...
very well said.
There is way too much posting on social media that what our guy or party does is ok but what the other side does is criminal, communist, socialist and on and on and on when they are both pretty much doing the same thing and both abiding by the same puppet master

umm, thats how people have ALWAYS voted. since...forever.

So the guy who was instrumental in getting Obama elected, the guy who has helped numerous democratic senators get elected, the guy who is currently working on preparing Hillary's run does this... and you find it all a coincidence?

If the left had a photo of a guy shaking George Bush's hand 20 years ago doing this, the left would be losing it's ever-loving collective mind about intruding into the politics of another country. It's one thing to be a conspiracy theorist, it's another to live with your head in the sand.

I personally don't like it because I don't think we should be meddling in the politics of other countries, just like I resent it when other countries meddle in ours.

No, I really don't find it odd that people who get hired and paid to run elections for a living were hired and paid to try to sway an election.

That's what they do for a living, just like Karl Rove. I wouldn't find it odd if someone other than the Bush family hired him either.

I know.

The Republicans wrote it.

The article seems to have quite a few "maybe"s, and maybe it's all true, but then what is it called when the republicans invite Netanyahu to speak in congress 2 weeks before the election and will the U.S. Senate committee with subpoena powers include that in their investigation?

And are a few posters on here ok with that?

It's called an invitation to speak to the Congress of the United States of America. I'm OK with that. The GOP invited him to speak regarding the Iranian deal. Truly, it most liikely did not help Netanyhu's cause as America is not currently very highly regarded by most Israelis.

Actually, the comment was intended for a poster who accused the GOP of "talking out of both sides of their mouths" that's all. No hypocricy here. Simply pointing put what you just stated with specificity.

I think we all know both sides are guilty. That goes without being said. However, as Independents, Republicans and Democrats, we all see things through our own belief system and apply our thoughts accordingly.

#1 reason not to vote. Realizing both parties are bad choices and the gov't is attacking freedom continually. And it doesn't matter for who you vote or even who wins, they all are on the same side against the people with every decree.

I disagree.. IMO its just the opposite. Ridiculously low voter turn out in state and local elections doesn't seem to be working out all that well for us. I'm not sure how even less participation is supposed to make it better?

I don't think less participation makes it better, but I do think the threat of less participation can make it better.

Under the current system, candidates have to motivate people to show up. There is a group than won't show up unless the candidate is worth voting for. For many, the candidate has to earn the vote. If we make it mandatory, that element is gone.

Although, motivation can be bad as well. Lots of politicians use scare-tactics and threats to motivate people. "My opponent is a threat to...he will destroy..."

...and for years, it's been working like a charm in primary and mid-term elections.

Many ppl have cited the most recent mid-terms as a 'referendum' regarding the current administration. I don't. As with most mid-terms, voter turnout is appallingly low for two (interrelated) reasons:

1. Those who are are basically "ok" with things as they are are apathetic at mid-term time.
2. Only those who are torqued-off are motivated to vote.

I could blame the voters- and to a certain extent I do- but I also feel that's it's the responsibility of the candidates to motivate voter turnout during the 'off season.' Play up the local issues that directly impact quality of life, build some excitement with dynamic speeched that present your platform, MAKE issues important.

Our system suffers when a handful of pissed-off folks can direct the course of everyone else. It leads to wild swings in the demographics on CapHill... and that is a major contributor to the gridlock we see all the time.

But its still OK for Israeli Lobbyists to help those Senators defeat their candidates in our elections. Right?

Of course the voters are ultimately responsible but their apathy is understandable. A considerable number of potential voters feel that:

1. Their vote doesn't matter because they live in a state that is always red or always blue and their one little vote isn't going to change that.
2. They feel that a vote for red or a vote for blue is meaningless because red and blue are, in the end, very similar and nothing seems to change.
3. Red and blue are their only options.

It would be great if candidates gave passionate speeches about issues... but the people that need to be reached, aren't listening to those speeches. It would be great if they put the issues ahead of bickering, but the people that need to hear it only have one issue, what's in it for me?

4. Statistically speaking, there is almost zero probability that My 1 Vote will have any impact.

Exactly, which is why it's going to take somebody with the charisma and the message to begin a movement so that people feel their one vote is bigger than just one vote. 8 years ago, Obama did that to some extent. However, history tells us that somebody with that level of charisma, that level of ability to influence large groups, can be good or very very bad.

Do you have proof of this?