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Alaska Rep.: $81 Million For Florida "Old News"
There is nothing unusual about a congressman from Alaska secretly allocating $10 million for a Florida interchange or helping secure $81 million for a related project.
That’s what Rep. Don Young (R-AK) told the Anchorage Daily News in response to a New York Times story about his involvement in slipping Coconut Road in Fort Myers, Florida about $81 million. The extension of the road and the creation of an interchange is a boon for real estate developers in the area, several of whom are big Republican donors. One in particular, Daniel J. Aronoff, said he helped raise $40,000 for Young days before the $10 million earmark appeared because, as an Aronoff consultant explained: “We were looking for a lot of money.” Young was the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at the time.
When a Times reporter approached Young near the House floor about the Coconut Road story the congressman gave the journalist an obscene gesture, apparently declining to comment. But yesterday Young sent a statement to the Anchorage Daily News saying this is all “old news:”
"Every story that comes out is the same, with different players and different projects," he said. "When you are the chairman of the largest committee in the House, and a senior member, and in charge of writing a $290-odd billion bill, it's a guarantee that you are going to be raising more money than other less senior members. ... It's also a guarantee that there will be a plethora of projects for people to look at and pick apart. This is a recycled story."
According to the local Alaska paper, Young recycles this defense. In April he gave the same explanation when asked about campaign contributions from a Wisconsin trucking executive alleged to have improperly benefited from road legislation originating in Young's committee.
Comments (38)
elliottness wrote on June 8, 2007 9:34 AM:This is the best defense yet: Corruption = Old News.
How apropos based on the current state of politics.
buckheaddad wrote on June 8, 2007 9:40 AM:Rep. Young learned his hand-signals from the "Honorable Dick Cheney" (a non-sequetor if there ever was one).
evie wrote on June 8, 2007 9:46 AM:And when will oversight begin?
jhickey wrote on June 8, 2007 9:46 AM:I wonder which finger Con.Young will be giving when he goes to jail.That gesture is how he feels about all taxpayers.Bravado now tears later like the Duke when he got nailed.Sen. Stevens next.JHickey
MojoJojo wrote on June 8, 2007 9:47 AM:And endless supply of corrupt scumbags. If they aren't trying to f*ck pages then they're telling you to go f*ck yourself. I pledge allegiance to the flag.......f*ck it.
Dennis wrote on June 8, 2007 9:57 AM:Every member of Congress will tell you that they aren't influenced by political "donations" whether from wealthy individuals or corporations. Yet, here is one who practically admits that he is.
The bigger the whore, the bigger the "donations".
You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
pj in jesusland wrote on June 8, 2007 10:00 AM:Hey, c'mon, Republicans flipping someone the bird is old news. Remember that picture of Nelson Rockefeller back in 1976 giving the middle finger to hecklers at one of Bob Dole's campaign stops?
They've been doing it (at least in public) for over 30 years.
Dr. Wu wrote on June 8, 2007 10:04 AM:A $40,000 bribe nets a $91,000,000 payout. Where else but the United States Congress can a businessman get a 227,500% return on his investment?
Anonymous wrote on June 8, 2007 10:06 AM:Ah, I regress to JHS:
Is that your age or IQ in microseconds?
It will be extra gratifying to see this bozo in jail wit' da Duke.
Peter Principle wrote on June 8, 2007 10:27 AM:One needs to understand that in Alaksa, corrupt porkbarreling is more than just a practice, it's a sacred way of life -- side by side with extreme libertarian protests against the malignant evil of the federal government.
The modern Republican ideology in its most extreme form, in other words.
Jack wrote on June 8, 2007 10:37 AM:Google "Bridge to Nowhere", a $223,000,000 Alaska bridge project, to find out more about how Young wants to spend our money.
Jack wrote on June 8, 2007 10:38 AM:Google "Bridge to Nowhere", a $223,000,000 Alaska bridge project, to find out more about how Young wants to spend our money.
Anonymous wrote on June 8, 2007 10:54 AM:Complete and total scumbags. $40,000 gets you a $10 million return. Not bad. This country is so screwed.
Xman wrote on June 8, 2007 11:06 AM:Yep. A republican flips a finger or says F@#$ you!
And not a word of condemnation is heard from the right. A republican takes thousands of illegal pills and they ralley round like good old boys.
If the Dems want to truely take the high road, they need to lead the way on corruption and any other prosecution...starting with Jefferson.
Xman wrote on June 8, 2007 11:07 AM:Black Caucus...get some honesty!
Citizens First!!!
Yep. A republican flips a finger or says F@#$ you!
And not a word of condemnation is heard from the right. A republican takes thousands of illegal pills and they ralley round like good old boys.
If the Dems want to truely take the high road, they need to lead the way on corruption and any other prosecution...starting with Jefferson.
Hagop wrote on June 8, 2007 11:10 AM:Black Caucus...get some honesty!
Citizens First!!!
And to think, Washington and Madison believed that the success of their experiment would depend on men of virtue serving the people.
tekel wrote on June 8, 2007 11:22 AM:A corrupt Republican from Alaska?!@!? Perish the thought!
gonzone wrote on June 8, 2007 12:07 PM:Old News I'd Like To See:
Young doing 20 years without parole for corruption.
I do hope the Phyllis Shoo-fly self hating women have something to say about Young's potty mouth.
johnnydoughey wrote on June 8, 2007 12:19 PM:Problem is, as I see it, the same thing will be happening whether it is a republican or democrat controlled congress. The names and parties of the crooks will change, but it is the public who will always be the loser.
We seem to enjoy it when we get ripped off by our own parties. It is only when the "other" party rips us off that we complain.
What (imho) we need to be doing is threatening our own party leaders with banishment if they do not pass meaningful legislation to prevent BOTH parties from ripping us off. This is where us voting Reps and Dems should be totally united. Those clowns at the top are much more united. Both parties believe it is THEIR right and obligation to rip us off. It's just wrong for the other side to do it...
EH wrote on June 8, 2007 12:57 PM:Johnny: That's true. I think a lot of what we're seeing are the aftereffects of one-party rule. It's Power (with a capital 'P') that allows this to happen, not one's political affiliation.
Cal Damage wrote on June 8, 2007 1:50 PM:Hey, some props to the original reporting on this, from the Naples Daily News, down in ever-so-red Collier County, FL. Since i've been reading this paper, over the last 20 years, it's gone from All-Reagan-boosting, all-the-time, to genuinely disgusted with the current crop o' cronies. Not the first they've broken, won't be the last.
Always credit the original 'Story' (security word)
VM wrote on June 8, 2007 2:00 PM:He's right: the fact that he's corrupt is old news.
Time to put and end to "The Welfare State" that is Alaska.
bob wrote on June 8, 2007 2:02 PM:What was the name of the Wisconsin trucking co.?
gtash wrote on June 8, 2007 2:08 PM:You know, I don't think I ever met anyone who knew how to use 'plethora" in a sentence AND used his middle finger to communicate. It's usually an either/or kind of thing.
Jason wrote on June 8, 2007 2:26 PM:Don't get comfortable Democrats, in the future Young could be you. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Mellifluous wrote on June 8, 2007 2:38 PM:The problem I have with that logic, Jason, is that Democrats don't ever exercise absolute power. Doesn't mean they're not corrupt. Does mean that they aren't banging heads like winners should.
bjobotts wrote on June 8, 2007 5:03 PM:So when is somebody gonna do something about the bribes for pork when it is so blantatly obvious that a senator can just say "oh f**k off"? What happens to the 10 million or does the pay off stay in spite of the bribe being discovered? Young just thinks it's business as usual and treats his position as a CEO. over his own personal corporation. When will congress stop letting these repubs get away with this overwhelming corruption? Have they all just been bought and sold and are brokering deals to the highest "donor"?
Cathy Harris wrote on June 8, 2007 10:13 PM:I am from Alaska, but now live in Naples - I attended the meeting Don Young chaired here in 2005. I am Democrat, never voted for Don, and haven't ever liked Don Young or his politics, but this is the scariest witch hunt of an elected official I have ever seen in my life. I suggest you all do a little more research into this story before judging Don guilty. This is a case of NIMBY at its finest.
VM wrote on June 8, 2007 11:57 PM:If you're from Alaska (I am, too), then you don't have an excuse for not knowing that Don Young is corrupt. "Witch hunt?" Give me a freakin' break. Is that what they call it in Naples when a politician is held to account for his corrupt practices?
hey wrote on June 9, 2007 12:49 AM:I'm getting to the point where I'm losing faith fast in this government. The past 12 years with this Republican led Congress is making Republicans inconsistent to decent governing.These people have gotten way too comfortable with their 'ethics' to act with imputinity, knowing the people won't do a damn thing. They make me sick. That little effer Ted Stevens, the little weasel, just makes me support term limits ever more.
Ben Stevens wrote on June 9, 2007 1:19 PM:muhahahahahaha........
in alaska, don young is number one.
he's golden baby.
he helps bring projects to a state with a small population and minimal infrastructure, and the people love him.
think of don young as the chief of all the tribes in alaska, his support in bush alaska is enourmous.
don young for vice president, huckabee should seriously consider this man to be his VP.
over and out.
Ben Dover wrote on June 9, 2007 7:52 PM:I wonder if this means that Duke Cunningham will be sharing the same cell with Jerry Lewis, John Doolittle and Don Young in coming months? One can hope.
GregGreg wrote on June 10, 2007 3:21 AM:Terms limits on senate and congress would go along way to reduce corruption
Cathy Harris wrote on June 10, 2007 9:25 AM:or your other choice would be to stop paying taxes
leglly, of course
Educate yourself: this link clearly says that Reps Connie Mack and Martinez got the $81 million, not Rep Don Young. http://www.i-75dbf.org/
I would suggest you google and read about Ray Judah and The Brooks before judgment.
Bill wrote on June 12, 2007 5:14 PM:MSN I NIIPET
Bill wrote on June 12, 2007 5:15 PM:MSN
MSN I NIIPET
Bill wrote on June 12, 2007 5:15 PM:MSN
MSN I NIIPET
wbtevch pczxef wrote on August 28, 2007 6:21 PM:MSN
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