Thanks Oso. I don't think people in other parts of the country have a clue as to how hard its been on the people of Louisiana and Mississippi over the past five years. And now this. It really does break my heart.
I know that Mr. Melancon's emotion is sincere. But he has received $232,500 in campaign contributions from the oil industry since 2004. He opposed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap-and-trade) and helped ensure that the 2010 budget did not include new taxes on the oil and gas industry. In general, he's been a reliable vote for it, which I do recognize that anyone who wants to be a representative from southern Louisiana has to be.
But that's the rub, right? The very people impacted most by the spill and who are raging at BP and Barack Obama have for years resisted putting any shackles on the oil bidness. I'm not saying that they deserve this -- nobody does -- but it's not like they're completely innocent, either. And when push comes to shove, I'm not at all certain that they'll support restrictions and regulations on offshore drilling.
Maybe Melancon is experiencing an epiphany of the sort former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan had, when it became clear to him the big shots of the financial industry weren't the principled, ethical businessmen self-constrained by a sense of responsibility that he had always believed them to be.
Like Greenspan a couple of years ago, Melancon should realize by now that it's all about the money, every last dime BP can get, any way it can get it. And to hell with the lives of its workers and the environment. Just as Greenspan's capitalists gone wild didn't give a happy damn about the economy and millions of innocent bystanders, when they gave in completely to greed.
Funny thing, though. Greenspan is back defending the bad guys. Don't be surprised if at some point Melancon decides it was just one of those things, an unfortunate accident.
Leslie,
ReplyDeleteRe:post Conlink video at MadMikes-done.
This congressman is a true representative of his people.
Thanks Oso. I don't think people in other parts of the country have a clue as to how hard its been on the people of Louisiana and Mississippi over the past five years. And now this. It really does break my heart.
ReplyDeleteI know that Mr. Melancon's emotion is sincere. But he has received $232,500 in campaign contributions from the oil industry since 2004. He opposed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap-and-trade) and helped ensure that the 2010 budget did not include new taxes on the oil and gas industry. In general, he's been a reliable vote for it, which I do recognize that anyone who wants to be a representative from southern Louisiana has to be.
ReplyDeleteBut that's the rub, right? The very people impacted most by the spill and who are raging at BP and Barack Obama have for years resisted putting any shackles on the oil bidness. I'm not saying that they deserve this -- nobody does -- but it's not like they're completely innocent, either. And when push comes to shove, I'm not at all certain that they'll support restrictions and regulations on offshore drilling.
K: Oops! I didn't know all that. Should have checked him out first.
ReplyDeleteK said: "He opposed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap-and-trade)"
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation on that one. The "American Clean Energy and Security Act" needs opposition on its misleading name alone.
He said it all without words.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if he changes his voting pattern.
ReplyDeleteTom asked: "It will be interesting to see if he changes his voting pattern."
ReplyDeleteMany will, if this disaster gets a lot worse and becomes an American tragic landmark to eclipse Katrina).
Unfortunately, it could. Last time I checked a few hours ago, they still had not capped it.
Don't get me wrong: I think Mr. Melancon is sincere. But I suspect that there is disillusionment and guilt mixed in with the grief.
ReplyDeleteThe well will not be capped: If it could have been, it would have been by now.
Maybe Melancon is experiencing an epiphany of the sort former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan had, when it became clear to him the big shots of the financial industry weren't the principled, ethical businessmen self-constrained by a sense of responsibility that he had always believed them to be.
ReplyDeleteLike Greenspan a couple of years ago, Melancon should realize by now that it's all about the money, every last dime BP can get, any way it can get it. And to hell with the lives of its workers and the environment. Just as Greenspan's capitalists gone wild didn't give a happy damn about the economy and millions of innocent bystanders, when they gave in completely to greed.
Funny thing, though. Greenspan is back defending the bad guys. Don't be surprised if at some point Melancon decides it was just one of those things, an unfortunate accident.
BP hasn't succeeded in capping the well and is "regrouping."
ReplyDelete