READER’S EDITORIAL: BRIAN BILBRAY HAS NOT ENDED THE ERA OF BACKROOM DEALS

“Voters in San Diego’s 50th District, do we have another Randy “Duke” Cunningham on our hands?”

By Tracy Emblem

We need to hold our elected officials' feet to fire and make them responsible when their actions fall short of their words.

According to an "Issue Paper" posted on Project Vote Smart's website attributed to Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) - he took issue with "Ending the Back Room Deals."  But his own actions reek of smoke-filled backrooms and special interest politics.

Bilbray said: "One of the major reasons I ran for Congress...was because I got sick and tired of watching the Republican Congress and their special interest cronies cut backroom deals for more spending and less accountability. Now that I'm back here I can see what is going on. Let me be blunt: special interests have too much influence in Washington... whether it's Republicans in charge or Democrats. It's high time Congress started operating in the light of day again. No more 'you scratch my back I'll scratch yours' deals. Public service is an honor and a duty, and our elected officials must be held to the highest ethical standards."

Bilbray sponsored the Washington DC Congressional Cigar Association. San Diego Channel 10 News reports that Bilbray introduced HR 5615, which benefits medical device manufacturers. Congressional Cigar Association Board Member and Lobbyist Jeff Choudhry was involved with the Club's cigar meetings and just happens to lobby for a company that represents a large medical device manufacturer. Bilbray's bill was sponsored five days after the Washington DC Congressional Cigar Association gathered for an event.

Last month, Bilbray cowardly refused to answer questions about his role in the Congressional Cigar Club by claiming he was tied up with family issues. Where is Bilbray's purported transparency and high ethical standards now?

Recently, Bilbray took in $23,600 in funds from individuals associated with Millenium Laboratories, Inc. a San Diego based company who performs urine lab screening..

Just what would induce (1) Howard Appel, President Millenium Laboratories, Inc. ($2,400); (2) Renee Bryan, VP Marketing Millenium Laboratories, Inc. ($1,000); (3) David Cohen, COO Millenium Laboratories Inc. ($4,800); (4) Dr. Charles Mickel, Chief Scientific Officer Millenium Laboratories, Inc. ($1,000); (5) Dr. Murray Rosenthal, CMO Millenium Laboratories, Inc. ($4,800); (5) James Slattery, CEO Millenium Laboratories, Inc. ($4,800) and (6) Jane Slattery, Nurse Educator Millenium Laboratories, Inc. ($4,800) to individually donate on the same day, April 21, 2010?

It sure looks and smells like a special corporate interest day for Millenium Laboratories Inc. What kind of influence can $23,600 buy?

Voters in San Diego County's 50th District, do we have another Randy "Duke" Cunningham on our hands?

Tracy Emblem is an attorney and former Democratic candidate in the 50th Congressional District. The views expressed in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.