A real ethical issue or vindictive hunt of a Senate pork opponent?

Question

The Ethics Committee is pushing for a public reprimand against Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., for "a serious violation of Senate rules."

Dr. Coburn won't heed the committee's threat to reprimand him for delivering babies back home in Oklahoma -- for free."On my own time, I'm taking care of women who have a need, and I'm going to continue to deliver babies," Coburn told Politico.com."I'm not going to stop." When a member of the House, Coburn delivered 400 babies under an agreement with ethics meisters that allowed him to do so -- if he charged only enough to cover his expenses.

The Senate Ethics Committee which allows big-buck book deals for U.S. senators, said in a May memorandum to Sen Coburn, "you are allowed to practice medicine if you provide such services for free." So he started working for nothing.

Coburn bucked Republican leaders when he tried to block Stevens' $229 million earmark - when Democrats took over the Senate, Coburn challenged their pork-barrel projects .

Senator Coburn has the right to ask for a full Senate vote - with all the BS in Washington about soaring health care costs - how can Congress bring this issue up and keep a straight face ?

I don't know a doctor who does anything for free - is this guy for real?

Answer 1

More likely this is what the committee are after him for.

On May 24, 2007 the US Senate voted 80-14 to fund the war in Iraq. Coburn voted nay. On October 1, 2007 the US Senate voted 92-3 to fund the war in Iraq. Coburn voted nay. In February 2008, Coburn said, "I will tell you personally that I think it was probably a mistake going to Iraq."

Sha N  is likely right about his sense of honour and that it is something most Republicans lack, but as you read more about the man it becomes pretty clear he is a right wingnut.

Answer 2

Obviously it's a matter of integrity for the man. He has something most democrats don't have and don't understand - honor.  

Answer 3

Wow. I have not heard about this. Isn't Stevens' the guy from Alaska that's in really big trouble right now for all kinds of charges? If so, maybe this will go away for Dr. Colburn.