A media frenzy this week, picking and kicking at Tony Hayward, the six-million dollar man, who heads up British Petroleum (BP), appearing before a congressional hearing in Washington. Apparently bedazzling the whole lot of members of Congress with his footwork and adept question dodging.
Over the years, I have listened to many congressional fact-finding hearings, on the radio, television and once in person. Plus reading many accounts of hearings, like the Alger Hiss hearings. Never have I heard anyone in the hot-seat before Congress with the mental dexterity to handle elected officials like Tony Hayward.
This is a preview of
BP CEO TONY HAYWARD YACHTING – CONGRESS YO YO-ING – OBAMA YAKKING – MEDIA YELPING – HEAR YE, HEAR YE (Issue 393)
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Many people are asking, will healthcare legislation pass in Congress this year? So many are making predictions, and in the news so many are taking surveys and polling, trying to figure it out. So have I, and I revert back to the pattern of operation Congress usually follows, for answers.
When they draft a bill, news media runs with it, on tv, radio and in newspapers and magazines, which brings it to the attention of the public. If it’s legislation that stirs up public opinion and there is considerable objection, a lot of people send emails, write letters and make phone calls to their elected representatives. When there is lot of upheaval and objection, Congress refuses to pass the bill.
This is a preview of
HEALTHCARE – WILL IT PASS THIS YEAR? MANY ARE ASKING (Issue 260)
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Today starts voting in Congress on the $700 billion taxpayer bailout package. Over the weekend, many in Congress got on television and tried to explain what they had put in the bill. Then the newscasters and pundits reported and voiced their opinions.
I don’t know enough about the contents of the bill to be specific, but it seemed to me most were trying to convey to the American people the benefits of the bill—like the checks and balances included, plus the possibility that in five years the taxpayer may get something back. They also made a big commotion about preventing CEOs from receiving their usual millions.
In other words, after the original proposal failed, this revised rescue bill will siphon from taxpayers incrementally, and is being sold with pretty wrapping paper and a card that says, “There will be an oversight committee to keep an eye on the money.”
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Freedom, Your Money And A Dog Story (Issue 93)
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I began this blog site about six months ago and for those who read my articles, you know by now that my thinking and writings are not the average stuff you read elsewhere.
For example, most blog sites, newsletters, and organized watchdog groups urge you to write your Congressman about whatever is bothering you. Apparently, your Congressman pays little attention to what you and the rest of the American people, say or want. The proof is in the pudding. Obviously, things have gone from bad to worse. This is an indication that all the calls, letters and emails to Congress have amounted to zilch.
I have a different approach. Read my blog post titled “Debate & Dear John Letter.” In this post, I pose a suggested letter your Congressman should be sending to YOU. Copy it and send that to one of your Congressman. If that does not flip his bic and prompt a response, you might as well give up and stop wasting your time with him. Silence does not give consent.
