Isn't it interesting how so many Gulf state Republicans are anti-big government -- until they need its help? It's "big government for me, but not for thee." You know what they say: a Republican is just a Democrat who hasn't been the victim of a catastrophic oil spill yet. The BP disaster is the inevitable result of the Bush-era habit of filling regulatory agencies with industry lobbyists and cronies. So this is a teachable moment. Just as Reagan put forth his grand, unifying theory that government is the problem, not the solution, Obama needs to seize this opportunity to reframe the debate and show how Corporations Gone Wild are the real problem. What we have now isn't free market capitalism, it's corrupt third world cronyism. Tony Hayward would like his life back. Well, Americans would like our democracy back.
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Why, as a highly trained scientist, with an idea (not yet covered) for trying to stop this thing, can't I get my proposal sent directly to a government agency for review? One that doesn't have BP's hands all over it! Why does my own government, FORCE ME to deal with BP - which I will continue to refuse to do? My proposal has been forwarded to some members of Congress, and the White House, but I and other scientists need media outlets like the Huff-P to follow up on this question and apply pressure on Congress and the President to ditch BP and listen directly to scientists, such as myself, who may have some additional novel suggestions and possible solutions that they wish to communicate directly to the office of the President. Why, in a supposed Democracy, can't our scientists and engineers, do this, and trust that their efforts will be treated with some manner of respect and fair consideration, instead of being rudely dismissed and ignored, as happens now? Citizens should not be forced to share communications they wish to privately make to their elected leaders, with a for profit, foreign company, that may have restrictions and/or penalties associated with such communications while, at the same time, expecting to get such helpful information "donated" to it, for free!
I am not a citizen of BP or Britain - I shouldn't have to do this Mr. President - so, please, don't make me!
This philosophy has led to the evacuation of the U.S. Most of the U.S. equipment has been sold to other countries...especially China. We are heavily in debt to China.
Not sure what Obama has to do with this...other than increasing our national debt to outrageous proportions and increasing future taxes. Bankruptcy here we come!
Therefore, I think Progressives must push our Representatives and Senators to do the right thing for the people, even though we know they are all being paid handsomely to "lay off" any tough, meaningful, and effective regulation of industry.
There's too much angry "I want this, I want that". It's time we all started making changes in our own lives. I think it is incumbent upon all of us as individual consumers to make all of our lifestyle and purchasing decisions based on whether we are helping or hurting our country, the whole of civilization and the planet. It's too easy to point the finger of blame at industry and government. We all bear some responsibility.
It's great to hear someone from the media speak out about the abomination 'the Republican' (there is no plurality), has become.
Changing nothing, and claiming: "I am making progress, I am just moving so slow you can't see it!"
That way, he can tell all the people wanting totally opposite things, he is moving in their direction, and they all fall for it!
Kind of like the old joke:
Fake Gunslinger: "Wanna see the fastest gun in the West?"
Spectator: ( doesn't see anything move..)
Fake Gunslinger: "Wanna see it AGAIN?"!!!
Except in reverse!
maddened by his deliberate aim-to-please-all demeanor.
To long and with too disastrous consequences have we allowed them to control our government. We must be strong, diligent, and determined that our regulatory agency must regulate based on laws and regulations not on who is who in the industry. We must demand that government be responsible to the people not the corporations. We must insist that wrong doing, criminal behavior, and fraud be punished and that the punishment be swift and encompass all who are guilty.
We are the Democratic Party and we are here to reclaim our government. We will not rest until the USA has been restored to a democratic republic serving not the money, the corporations, or the investors. Nay, we are a nation of the PEOPLE not of the Corporations. We demand to see the made in USA sticker back on our consumer goods. We demand that only those companies who respect our laws, our environment, and our freedoms are allowed to continue to do business here in this nation.
We want our country back and by God the Right wing ain't who gets to claim her.
Labels matter when they reflect the reality beneath. And the reality is the Democratic party has been co-opted by the corporatists.
Fanned! Fave...
This is one time I'd like the government to get off it's but and do something. Too bad we wasted so much time and energy on invading personal decisions like with health care, and have nothing left for PROTECTING our country and land.
Mining and terrorist attacks are also in the category of protecting the U.S. You need to go back to school in government.