Protect Our Democracy From Corporate Lobbyists
Posted by Michelle Moquin on July 12th, 2010
Good morning. I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend.
I get e-mails from MoveOn all of the time and most of the time I respond. Some of the time I reprint their e-mails here when I feel particularly strong about the issue. Somehow this one got past me a week or so ago, but no worries, it is not too late to take action. I jut did myself.
It has been suggested to us to stop complaining about the system and do something. Here’s one chance for you to do something and make your voice heard:
Dear MoveOn member,
You might have heard this: BP is so well connected in Washington that even after being cited for 760 different safety and environmental violations, the company still got environmental waivers for the Deepwater Horizon rig that’s now destroying the Gulf.1
But BP’s not alone in using its DC influence. Check out the list below of other companies’ outrages—then pass it along.
And be sure to sign our new Fight Washington Corruption Pledge to support 3 key measures that will protect our democracy from corporate lobbyists!
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- Overturn Citizens United: Amend the Constitution to protect America from unlimited corporate spending on our elections by overturning the Supreme Court’s decision giving corporations the same First Amendment rights as people.
- Fair elections now: Pass the Fair Elections Now Act, providing public financing to candidates who are supported by small donors so they can compete with corporate-backed and self-funded candidates.
- Lobbyist Reform Act: Pass legislation to end the overwhelming influence of corporate lobbyists by: prohibiting individuals from switching from corporate lobbying to government service, or vice-versa, within a 5-year period; stopping corporate lobbyists from giving gifts and providing free travel to government officials; and posting online the attendees and content of all meetings between lobbyists and government officials.
Here’s a few little tidbits that just might get your temperature rising:
1. Exxon Mobil made billions in profits, and yet paid not one dime in federal income taxes in 2009.2
2. The 2005 energy bill had a little known provision, commonly called the Halliburton Loophole, which exempted natural gas drilling from the Clean Water Act. The result? Water so contaminated that you can light it on fire.3
3. Massey Energy was cited more than 2400 times for safety violations in its mines, but chose not to fix potentially lethal problems because low penalties meant it was cheaper to simply keep paying the fines. This spring, 29 miners were killed in an underground explosion at a Massey mine in West Virginia.4
4. Michael Taylor was the FDA official who approved the use of Monsanto‘s Bovine Growth Hormone in dairy cows (even though it’s banned in most countries and linked to cancer). After approving it, he left the FDA—to work for Monsanto. Until last year, when he moved back to the government—as President Obama’s “Food Safety Czar.” No joke.5
5. Internal Toyota documents outline how the company was successful in limiting regulators actions in the recalls last year—saving hundreds of millions while the death toll continued to climb.6
6. GE and its lobbyists—including 33 former government employees—have successfully lobbied Congress to override Defense Department requests to cancel a GE contract to work on a new engine for the Joint Strike Fighter jet. GE will need $2.9 billion to finish the project.7
7. Top executives at 9 top banks including Citibank, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley paid themselves over $20 billion dollars in bonuses just weeks after taxpayers bailed them out to the tune of 700 billion dollars.8
8. During the waning days of the Bush administration, officials responded to a long-term lobbying campaign by pre-empting product liability lawsuits for dozens of whole industries. They bypassed Congress entirely and rewrote rules ranging from seatbelt manufacturing regulations to prescription drug safety.9
9. Sunscreen manufacturers including Johnson & Johnson and Schering-Plough, in the interest of profits, are opposing an FDA proposal requiring full reporting on sunscreen labels. The New York Times just confirmed that current SPF ratings don’t even measure sun rays that cause cancer.10
10. BP—a company with a record of 760 drilling safety and environmental violations—was granted safety waivers in order to operate the deepwater drilling rig that ultimately created the worst environmental disaster in US history.1
Mad yet? Ready to sign the petition? Click here. The goal is 200,000 signatures, and currently MoveOn has over 195,000. How about we take it to the end okay? By signing the pledge MoveOn will pass your name on to your member of Congress, and ask them to Fight Washington Corruption.
MoveOn thanks you and so do I.
Thanks for all you do,
–Ilyse, Robin, Milan, Amy and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. “BP’s latest plan succeeding, but may make spill worse,” Newsweek, June 2, 2010.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88880&id=21534-7692656-phJ1vUx&t=2
2. “GE, Exxon Paid No U.S. Income Taxes in 2009,” ABC News, April 6, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89262&id=&id=21534-7692656-phJ1vUx&t=3
3. “Why is Dick Cheney Silent on the Oil Spill?,” Newsweek, June 10, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89263&id=21534-7692656-phJ1vUx&t=4
4. “Other Massey Mines Showed A Pattern Of Violations,” NPR, April 13, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89264&id=21534-7692656-phJ1vUx&t=5
5. “Monsanto’s man Taylor returns to FDA in food-czar role,” Grist, July 8, 2009
http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-08-monsanto-FDA-taylor/
6. “Toyota tried to cut costs on recalls,” Los Angeles Times, February 22, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89265&id=21534-7692656-phJ1vUx&t=6
7. “GE vice chairman openly challenges Gates over F-35 fighter jet engine,” The Hill, June 17, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89266&id=21534-7692656-phJ1vUx&t=7
8. “Bankers Reaped Lavish Bonuses During Bailouts,” The New York Times, July 30, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/31/business/31pay.html
9. “Bush Rule Changes Curtail Rights of States, Consumers,” Wall Street Journal, October 15, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89267&id=21534-7692656-phJ1vUx&t=8
10. “UVA Reform: It’s Not PDQ,” The New York Times, June 23, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89268&id=21534-7692656-phJ1vUx&t=9
************
Akello: Thanks for your reply in regards to Barogo. As soon as I read your comment I contacted Madaline.
Will: Good observation, as well as a good read. Thanks for the link.
Robert: Remembering things ‘just a few years ago’ seems to be a very long time in politics. There is little value put on the ability of the average American to remember what happened ‘just a few days ago’. People prove it time and time again that they don’t remember, or they seem to selectively choose what they want to remember in order to justify their beliefs, or what they want to believe is true. I call it laziness too, and people need to be called on it.
Connie: Thanks for writing in again. Love back to you.
And speaking of love…
Jack, Manny, Larry, Vick: I bow to the pressure…here’s all of the lovely photos of Zen Lill. So now you can decide which one is your fave.
Readers: Voting will start on Wednesday. Those that want to participate in the voting, will be able to vote from 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 14th, until 5:00 PM Friday, July 16th, Pacific Standard time zone. Any votes that come in before 11:00 AM on Wednesday, and after 5:00 PM on Friday will not be included in the count.
Note: The votes will be a secret ballot, but I will post the winner. For those of you who don’t know what I mean by a secret ballot, it means that no votes will be published here. I will collect the votes privately, and I will post the winner.
So….get your votes in and let the best Zen Lill win!
Here they are:
#1:
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
Lookin’ good – don’t ya think? I look forward to seeing your votes.
Peace out…
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)
July 12th, 2010 at 9:59 am
OMG! I can’t believe that you held back number 6. I need a towel.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Great Vacations In America’s Most Walkable Cities
Joan Rattner Heilman
The Prevention magazine annual list of the most walkable cities in the US is well-timed for the crunch at the gas pumps.
Most of the cities chosen as the most pedestrian-friendly are older urban areas with vibrant downtowns, historic architecture and closely packed streets that can turn a stroll into an inexpensive and exciting adventure.
Everyone is familiar with some of the top 10 walking cities, such as New York, Washington, DC, and Chicago. But here are some of the lesser-known cities and towns that made the list…
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
This historic city, only six square miles in area and the home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, lies just across the Charles River from Boston and has been dubbed “Boston’s Left Bank” because it’s full of sidewalk cafés, boutiques, street musicians and other performers, students and professors, the world’s largest concentration of bookstores, and the most parks per square mile in the country.
Densely populated with diverse neighborhoods, Cambridge is probably best known for Harvard Square and the University’s historic ivy-covered brick structures. Its narrow streets and small buildings make the old city feel warm and relaxed despite the hubbub.
Can’t-miss feature: A one-hour riverboat cruise on the Charles River for spectacular views of Cambridge, Harvard University, the Charles River locks and Boston locks.
More information: Cambridge Office of Tourism, 617-441-2884, http://www.cambridge-usa.org.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
This college town made the list of most walkable cities because it is a remarkably sophisticated small community and because its downtown is concentrated in 10 square blocks with the University of Michigan’s campus in the heart of it.
Day and night, the streets, lined with old two or three-story brick buildings, are crowded with pedestrians dropping into the bistros, theaters, galleries, coffee shops and bookstores.
There are frequent street festivals and other events. A free hop-on, hop-off circulator bus (which runs August through April) will take you around town, stopping at Ann Arbor’s four major shopping areas and connecting with the campus.
Can’t-miss feature: Zingerman’s Delicatessen, famous for its made-to-order sandwiches and Jewish specialties, such as corned beef and chopped liver.
More information: Ann Arbor Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-888-9487, http://www.annarbor.org.
TRENTON
You may be surprised to find New Jersey’s capital, a city known more for tension than tourism, on the list of top 10 walking cities.Despite its earlier reputation for unrest and drugs, it turns out that there’s much to recommend Trenton for a visit today.
Trenton has nearly 40 parks, among them the 99-acre Cadwalader Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned for creating New York’s Central Park. Ellarslie, an Italianate villa built in 1845, sits in the middle of it, now housing a collection of art and artifacts related to Trenton history. And passing through one side of the park is a portion of the Delaware & Raritan Canal whose walkable/bikable towpath is gradually being restored.
Trenton’s wide sidewalks, clusters of cultural and retail attractions, and 18th-century buildings in the downtown section also contribute to its foot-friendly ambience.
Trenton has a lot of history. The Battle of Trenton, where George Washington’s troops defeated the Hessians in 1776, was fought here. And Trenton’s 1792 Capitol building, with its restored gold dome and combination gas/electric lights, is the second-oldest capitol in continuous use in the US and is open to visitors every day except Sundays and state holidays.
It is a short walk from the New Jersey State Museum, which houses Native American artifacts, ancient fossils and contemporary American art.
Can’t-miss feature: South Riverwalk Park, which offers spectacular views of the Delaware River.
More information: City of Trenton, 609-777-1770, http://www.trentonnj.org.
CINCINNATI
Located on gentle terrain just across the Ohio River from Kentucky, Cincinnati started out as a supply point for pioneers heading for the West on rafts and flatboats. Today, it is a dynamic commercial metropolis with a compact downtown built into the river valley.
Most of the city’s major hotels, shops and restaurants are clustered within several blocks, all of them only a few minutes’ walk from other foot-friendly neighborhoods. These include Fountain Square, the city’s most popular public gathering place, newly redesigned and surrounded by entertainment and tourist attractions…
the Central Riverfront, a mile-long park, the site of sports facilities, concerts, and gardens… and Mount Adams, an arty district with narrow winding streets, spectacular river and city views, and historic architecture. Cincinnati’s sidewalks are wide and shady and the streets are easy to cross.
Can’t-miss feature: The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the banks of the Ohio River. Cincinnati was one of the major hubs on the secret road from the South to freedom.
More information: Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-543-2613, http://www.cincyusa.com.
HONOLULU
Honolulu is a walker’s paradise because its many distinct neighborhoods can be easily explored without a car. Not only that, but the weather is always temperate and you can comfortably walk around town in shorts and a T-shirt almost any time of year.
Like most visitors, you’ll probably start your explorations in Waikiki, the most famous beach in the world. Stroll on Kalakaua Avenue along Kuhio Beach — the white sand on one side and high-rise hotels, shops and restaurants on the other.
Then follow the Waikiki Historic Trail that highlights the island’s history on surfboard-shaped bronze markers. Walk to one end of Waikiki to Diamond Head to ogle the grand homes and watch surfers ride the waves, then hike up to Diamond Head Crater’s observation deck for spectacular views of the ocean and the mountains.
At the opposite end of Waikiki Beach is Ala Moana Center, the world’s largest open-air shopping center.
Don’t forget to wander through Honolulu’s Chinatown Historic District, along the walking paths at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park, and through downtown’s bustling streets and memorable history and art museums.
Can’t-miss feature: The USS Arizona Memorial, a 45-minute car ride from the center of the city, where you can tour the structure that spans the sunken battleship commemorating the servicemen who died there on December 7, 1941.
More information: Honolulu Office of Tourism, 800-464-2924, http://www.gohawaii.com.
Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed Joan Rattner Heilman, an award-winning travel writer based in New York. She is author of Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can’t Get Unless You’re Over 50 (McGraw-Hill).
July 12th, 2010 at 10:20 am
TYH – I will be voting.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Hafa adai
Let me get this straight. We give an unlimited pass to the Attorney General Office to spend as much as they please, but we are running out of money to educate our kids.
Is it any wonder they grow up as criminals. We don’t spend enough to educate them properly so that they can compete at the world level. So the rich parents send theirs to private schools, mostly catholic, where the priest molest them at will. So they come out warped and hating us for not protecting them from the butt bandits.
What do we get from the catholic church?
Interference in our political arena, a hypocritical one at that since while they claim a moral imperative, they are morally bankrupt when it comes to taking responsibility for the molestation of our babies that were entrusted to their care.
I suppose they feel that they are on secure grounds because the politicians are afraid to buck them and the parents are worried about their own souls rather than the mind and bodies of their children that these pedophiles in sheep’s clothing abuse at will.
What god are those catholics praying to?
Certainly not the God that says “Bless the Children.” I would venture to speculate that regardless of what one of those pedophile priests can do or say for those that look the other way rather that demand justice for the children, God will ask them what they did to protect the children?
And if they come up wanting. The pits of Hell will be too good for them.
Peter
July 12th, 2010 at 10:51 am
The republicans are counting on the dim memories of the electorate and working furiously to lay the blame of the oil spill and cleanup on the dems.
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Another week, and more delay from the Obama administration on the Gulf oil cleanup. I talked with members of Congress from a tour of the Louisiana coastline and the outrageous delays are causing more contamination. The Obama administration is kneecapping the economy and the cleanup effort. Prepare to be outraged then read about it here.
And for some must see TV, don’t miss Human Events Editor Jason Mattera’s latest video installment of Amb. John Bolton’s interview — this time his assessment of the Obama strategy in Afghanistan. See it here.
And as if that’s not enough to get your blood boiling, take a short scroll down the page to our daily web picks! — Connie Hair
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Too bad the dems don’t know how to counter these lies.
Mike
July 12th, 2010 at 10:59 am
This is the beginning of yesterday’s topic – “HOW TO CALM AN ANGRY PERSON.
How to Calm an Angry Person
Redford Williams, MD
Duke University Medical Center
When someone is angry, our instinctive reaction typically is to get defensive (if the person is angry at us) or to give advice (if he/she is angry at someone else).
These responses are not useful — they do not resolve the situation and even may inflame him further. More effective…
WHEN YOU ARE NOT THE TARGET
The best way to calm someone who is angry at someone else is to let him vent. Don’t interrupt or tell him why he shouldn’t be angry or that he should let it go.
Don’t talk about the time you got mad about the same thing — this implies that your reaction is more important than his.
When he has talked himself out, acknowledge his feelings — whether or not you agree with his views.
Example: “Wow, you’re really angry with your boss. I can see how upset you are.”
After listening and acknowledging, ask if there is any way you can help. In many cases, the other person will say that you have helped just by listening.
You also might be able to assist with brainstorming and problem solving. But if you try to solve the problem before hearing the person out or without his approval, he most likely will feel angrier.
WHEN THE ANGER IS DIRECTED AT YOU
When someone lashes out at you, the primitive part of your brain is activated. This creates the impulse to defend yourself from attack by telling the other person he is wrong or irrational or by getting angry yourself.
Instead, before responding, pause for a few moments and silently ask yourself four questions… ??1. Is this situation important??2. Is my reaction appropriate??3. Is the situation modifiable??4. If so, is taking action worth it?
July 12th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Hurray for Obama and the democrats. They may have put into law a way to break up the big banks after all. So says Huff/Post.
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This entry is crossposted on The Baseline Scenario.
The bank lobbyists, it turns out, missed one. They and their congressional allies were able to gut the Volcker Rule, the Lincoln Amendment, and almost everything else that could have had a meaningful effect on the industry.
But, as I point out in a Bloomberg column today, they couldn’t get at (or didn’t sufficiently understand?) the Kanjorski Amendment. This Amendment was originally proposed by Congressman Paul Kanjorski (chair of an important House subcommittee on capital markets) during the fall. Against the odds, it survived in the final House bill and now — probably because it has stayed mostly below the radar — remains in the reconciled legislation.
Kanjorski gives federal regulators the power and the responsibility to limit the activities or even break up big banks if they pose a “grave risk” to the financial system.
The Federal Reserve is in the hot seat on this issue — and it needs 7 out of the 10 members of the new systemic risk council to agree to any action. But for the first time someone at the federal level must make a determination regarding whether an individual firm poses system risk.
And congressional committees can call upon the responsible people to explain how they determine whether a megabank is or is not dangerous. What are the risk metrics they use? To what extent do they take on board outside opinions? How much do they consult with the bank itself?
This also creates important space for critics. There are many people — outside of the big banks — working on developing ways of assessing system risk. Again, congressional hearings can raise the prominence and credibility of this work. The question will be: If the regulators are not taking these perspectives into account, why not?
This may all sound rather technical, and to some extent it is. But it is also intensely and pointedly political. The Kanjorski Amendment makes it clear that system risk must be assessed and dealt with. And it assigns clear responsibility for this issue — along with a cut and dried list of remedies.
The debate on big banks and the dangers they pose is far from over.
Around the Web:
Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski – 11/18/09: Kanjorski Amendment to …
Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski – Financial Services Regulatory Reform
The Kanjorski Amendment Trojan Horse and Prompt Corrective Action …
Kanjorski’s Break Up Authority Amendment – Business – The Atlantic
Don’t Forget The Kanjorski Amendment « The Baseline Scenario
Simon Johnson: Don’t Forget the Kanjorski Amendment
Kanjorski offers ‘too big to fail’ amendment – TheHill.com
Rep. Kanjorski hails House passage of Wall Street Reform Bill …
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Go get’em Obama.
Janis
July 12th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Quiky before we die from want. Put a face and body to those mounds of Aphrodite.
July 12th, 2010 at 11:21 am
A new group of aliens will be landing on one of Saturn’s moons in about three days. There will be a corresponding large earthquake when they take to the earth.
We do not expect to arrive in time to accost them.
Viv
July 12th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Me, I just want to see more, Zen Lill I mean.
July 12th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
So I finally get my wish for some aliens and you’ll trying to tell me they are going to be hostile?
Lance
July 12th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Hi Mischa, hahaha…love it…my vote is for…oh you know already : )
I’m working on the peepers/nose/face/full body shot and maybe more legs, all in good time…the legs, well, they made a clerk at an appliance store stutter today, he was such a cutie, h-h-how tall are you? : ) and then, you have the longest legs I’ve ever se-ee-ee-n, of course I was wearing a bitty tennis skirt, thank the heavens the ta’s were under wraps he’d of peed himself, tee hee…
Viv, where will the earthquake occur and why won’t any of the TAO intervene on our behalf? You’ve obviously been too busy to enter my dreams again but wouldn’t that kind of quake be preferrable? See what you can do for us earthly beings and I’ll give you an exit report that will be otherworldly or will that be the other way around, and ahem, you can pretend you are Anonz again if you wish…
Speaking of – Ruth, thank you for the update, I will do the same. I’m glad the girls get to have some fun with Evelyn, sounds like life is progressing very well for them as well as you and your daughter.
Caio for now, Luv, Zen Lill