I remain bemused and frustrated by US politics. How come your public representatives can openly get paid by and support ‘vested interest’ even though it may not be in the best public interest.

I know that we are going through our own problems over here in the UK, but the issue at stake is Obama’s Climate Bill.

The bill is aimed at giving the USA a cap and trade system. Obama has the majority in both houses and it should be a matter of course (with a few republican defections) getting the bill passed. And yet there are a number of democrats who still may scupper the deal.

The reason why?- well they are paid by the oil industry to lobby against the bill!

Climate change is our biggest challenge, without the US there will be little chance of a climate deal, the evidence is all around us and yet there is still resistance. More importantly these people seem as though they can be bought for short term personal gain!

I list their names and the money they are being paid to turn against the bill (All names and numbers thanks to the Guardian 13^th May 2009 pp 15)

·         John Dingell, Michigan - $457,100

·         Rick Boucher, Virginia - $359,151

·         Charles Melancon, Louisiana - $199,600

·         Jim Matheson, Utah – $160,197

·         Gene Green(!), Texas - $142,449

·         Mike Ross, Arkansas - $119,743

·         Mike Doyle, Pennsylvania – $110,250

·         Charlie Gonzalez, Texas - $98,250

·         John Barrow, Georgia – $93,743

·         GK Butterfield, North Carolina, $51,050

·         Baron Hill, Indiana - $46,100

·         Betty Sue Sutton, Ohio - $16,600

If you know them or have access to them, please tell them they need to support the bill as it represents the only way forward,  for a better and safer world with more jobs and new opportunities.

Finally, I note from the article that BP is supporting the new anti-climate PR campaign . This is BULLSHIT. How could they pretend to be so green and environmental then do this. BP, I once admired you as a leader in your field. I now know that you are full of horseshit and we can’t trust you!

GuyB

May 14th 2009

Tags: BP, Climate Bill

Posted on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 8:45 am