Surveil Your Least-Favorite Congresscriminal with Legistalker!

Fun new site Legistalker allows you to "follow the latest online activity of Congress members," ranging from Google News feeds, Youtube, the Twitter, etc.

It gives us a whole new way to see our tax dollars at work. E.g., Rep. John Shinkus (R-Il.) recently tweeted that "I am preparing to crown the Illinois State Society Cherry Blossom Princess" (gross) while Rep. Jared Polis (D-Co.) helpfully notes, "Episode 6 of my Congressional reality show is up" (too sad for words or emoticons).

It's just a shame this thing wasn't around during the heyday of Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.).

Hat tip: Sandy Smith of Forum One Communications, which created Legistalker as an entry in the Sunlight Foundation's Apps for America competition.

Bonus video: Reason.tv's pre-election interview with Sunlight Foundation board member, Obama advisor, and Craigslist founder Craig Newmark on Ayn Rand, "nerd values," and open-source politics:

Comments

[Nancy Pelosi]

"I just gave Obama's balls back to him for the trip to Europe. Michelle said he needs them to fill out his pants for the fashion critics."

[John Thacker]

Rep. John Shinkus (R-Il.) recently tweeted that "I am preparing to crown the Illinois State Society Cherry Blossom Princess" (gross)

There are many, many worse things in DC than the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the State Societies. It's quite silly, the Princesses, sure, but compared to everything else, not so bad.

[J sub D]

Rep. John Shinkus (R-Il.) recently tweeted that "I am preparing to crown the Illinois State Society Cherry Blossom Princess" (gross)

There are many, many worse things in DC than the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the State Societies. It's quite silly, the Princesses, sure, but compared to everything else, not so bad.

Agreed. That's just old fashioned grass roots politicking. 4H clubs, the high school wrestling awards, all that crap has been going on since elections first began.

[Geoff Nathan]

And besides, his name is John Shimkus. He used to be my state representative back when I lived in Southern Illinois. Harmless drudge, essentially.

[Orange Line Special]

Good job! I mean not just about the site, about Nick's post about the site. Both are, in a word, excellent. It's good to be distracted while our wallets are being stolen.

Fun fact: did you know my first mention of one of those listed above was over four years ago, back when he was just a dotcom millionaire who'd gone into politics in CO? I've subsequntly had more posts about Jared Polis; that link is from December 2006 back after he got an award from the Mexicangovernment for helping them profit from illegal activity inside the U.S. Now, he's a Congressman.

And, instead of discussing things like that, Reason tells us about neat-o websites.

[Crusader Rabbit]

"The markets have failed to provide health care to everyone."

What? How can anyone seriously make such a statement (or make such a serious statement)? The "market" has never been given a chance to provide health care for everyone. If people could simply shop for health insurance, buy it at a competitive market price, and freely choose their coverages and plans, the market would indeed provide health care for everyone (at least for everyone who wants it).

It's only when state insurance regulators, federal benefits administrators, mandatory Medicare rule makers, employers (under state compulsion), and a bunch of other "participants" in the system mangle it into nothing resembling a "market" for health care that people are prevented from getting what they need and want.

[Isaac Bartram]

Speaking of Congresscriminals

Ex-Sen. Stevens' Conviction To Be Voided

[Smartass]

Shut the Fuck Up, Lonewacko.

[Xeones]

So how long until Legistalker gets shut down in order to prevent "the appearance of corruption"?

[mk]

Proof that Hit & Run types actually do work!

Thanks Sandy.

[Alexander]

how about mentioning the real jewel of the Sunlight Foundation, OpenCongress.org?

[Sandy]

Thanks, MK, but sadly, it's not proof that I actually do work. 'Twas my company but it was my minions who did the work. My contribution was to say, "You there! Work harder!"