Tag: Corporate Welfare

Kentucky Republicans live in a fantasy world that puts anything dreamed up by J.R. Tolkien to shame. Where else in this country do you find people who believe that the suppression of Free Speech by theft and vandalism is a “Christian Value? Where else do you find people who are invested in, and profiting from our pain at the pump seeking to lecture all of us on the high price of gas, while voting against a windfall tax on Big Oil? Indeed, where else will you find a Congressman who refuses to return the blood money of a convicted terrorist seek to lecture the rest of us on the “War on Terror”?  

Well, in my Congressman, Exxon Ed Whitfield you find all of the above. As you will soon see, his hypocrisy knows no bounds.

What else can it be but hypocrisy when a man who has become a millionaire off Exxon, and Chevron stocks seeks to lecture us on Gas Prices, when that very Congressman rubber-stamped the failed Bush/Cheney Energy Policy that has led to record gas prices for us, and record profits for himself and his fellow stockholders in Big Oil? One need only look at his site to see the hypocrisy shining through:

Furthering his efforts to increase domestic supplies of energy and reduce skyrocketing fuel costs for Kentucky consumers, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) called on the leader of the House of Representatives last week to immediately consider legislation which would increase American supplies of energy.

“Kentuckians know that in order to bring down record high fuel costs, we need to increase our domestic energy production,” Whitfield said. “Yet, leaders in the House of Representatives continue to block consideration of any sensible, productive legislation that would aid American consumers trying to fill up their tanks this summer. The time for action is now.”

http://whitfield.house.gov/new…

Well, if Exxon Eddie really believes that, he has a funny way of showing it:

Voted NO on investing in homegrown biofuel.

H.R.3221: New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act: Moving toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, modernizing our energy infrastructure, and providing tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation.

Reference: New Direction for Energy Independence; Bill HR3221 ; vote number 2007-0832 on Aug 4, 2007

Voted NO on tax incentives for renewable energy.

CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY: Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008:

Production Incentives: Extends through 2011 the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources (e.g., wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower).

Extends through 2016 the energy tax credit for investment in solar energy and fuel cell property.

Allows a new tax credit for the production of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Extends through 2010 the tax credits for biodiesel (including agri-biodiesel)

Allows an alcohol fuels tax credit for the production of qualified cellulosic alcohol fuel.

Denies the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, gas, or any related products.

Reference: Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act; Bill H.R.5351 ; vote number 08-HR5351 on Feb 12, 2008

Voted NO on tax incentives for energy production and conservation.

OnTheIssues.org Explanation:This bill passed the House but was killed in the Senate on a rejected Cloture Motion, Senate rollcall

#150Congressional Summary:A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide Tax incen Credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel.

Sec. 124. Credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles.

Sec. 127. Transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters.

Sec. 146. Qualified green building and sustainable design project

Reference: Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act; Bill HR6049 ; vote number 2008-344 on Jun 21, 2008

http://ontheissues.org/House/E…

You see, even though the research and development of the fuels of the future holds countless potential in really achieving Energy Independence, and although it holds countless potential for new, high-paying jobs growing and refining these fuels in his mostly rural district, Exxon Ed Whitfield cannot allow his Exxon and Chevron stock to be devalued. He is invested in, and profiting handsomely from the current Energy Policy that makes us slave to Middle Eastern Oil, and record profits for Big Oil during a time of war.

You see, even though his stock is enjoying record profits, Whitfield will have none of ending the huge amounts of Corporate Welfare doled out to such companies in favor of investing in real Energy Independence:

Voted NO on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies.

This legislation seeks to end the unwarranted tax breaks & subsidies which have been lavished on Big Oil over the last several years, at a time of record prices at the gas pump and record oil industry profits. Big Oil is hitting the American taxpayer not once, not twice, but three times. They are hitting them at the pump, they are hitting them through the Tax Code, and they are hitting them with royalty holidays put into oil in 1995 and again in 2005.

It is time to vote for the integrity of America’s resources, to vote for the end of corporate welfare, to vote for a new era in the management of our public energy resources.

Reference: Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation(CLEAN); Bill HR 6 (“First 100 hours”) ; vote number 2007-040 on Jan 18, 2007

http://ontheissues.org/House/E…

You see, in the visionless, hypocritical world of Exxon Eddie, personal profits for himself, and the special interests that have bought and paid for him are far more important than the promise of achieving Energy Independence that benefits all Americans.

However, unfortunately that is not even the most hypocritical part of Exxon Eddie’s agenda. His lust for special interest money to smear his opponents and hold onto power knows no boundries. Case in point, the “War on Terror”:

Voted YES on authorizing military force in Iraq.

Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq: Passage of the joint resolution that would authorize President Bush to use the US military as he deems necessary and appropriate to defend U.S. national security against Iraq and enforce UN Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. It would be required that the president report to Congress, no later than 48 hours after using force, his determination that diplomatic options or other peaceful means would not guarantee US national security against Iraq or allow enforcement of UN resolutions and that using force is consistent with anti-terrorism efforts. The resolution would also give specific statutory authorization under the War Powers Resolution. Every 60 days the president would also be required to report to Congress on actions related to the resolution.

Reference: Bill sponsored by Hastert,R-IL; Bill HJRes114 ; vote number 2002-455 on Oct 10, 2002

Voted YES on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date.

Voting YES would support the following resolution (excerpted):

Whereas the United States and its allies are engaged in a Global War on Terror, a long and demanding struggle against an adversary that is driven by hatred of American values and that is committed to imposing, by the use of terror, its repressive ideology throughout the world;

Whereas the terrorists have declared Iraq to be the central front in their war against all who oppose their ideology;

Whereas the United States and its Coalition partners will continue to support Iraq as part of the Global War on Terror:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives–

Honors all those Americans who have taken an active part in the Global War on Terror;

Declares that it is not in the national security interest of the United States to set an arbitrary date for the withdrawal or redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq;

Declares that the United States is committed to the completion of the mission to create a sovereign, free, secure, and united Iraq;

Declares that the United States will prevail in the Global War on Terror, the noble struggle to protect freedom from the terrorist adversary.

Reference: Resolution on Prevailing in the Global War on Terror; Bill HRES 861 ; vote number 2006-288 on Jun 12, 2006

You see, Whitfield blindly rubber-stamped a failed President and policy which allowed our real attacker on 9-11, Osama bin-Laden walk away scot-free, and insultingly release video tapes that snubs his nose at those who lost loved ones on that fateful day. Then, whenevidence emerges that the American people were misled into cutting and running from our true attacker, bin-Laden, Exxon Eddie will not even allow the matter to be investigated:

Voted NO on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq.

OnTheIssues.org Explanation:This vote is on referring the impeachment resolution to a Congressional Committee to decide further action (not on impeachment itself).Congressional Summary:Resolved, That President George W. Bush b Fourth Amendment

Article XXVI–Announcing the Intent To Violate Laws With Signing Statements, and Violating Those Laws

Reference: The Kucinich Privilege Resolution; Bill H.RES.1258 ; vote number 2008-401 on Jun 11, 2008

http://www.ontheissues.org/Hou…

However, it only gets worse. After all his talk about the “War on Terror”, Exxon Eddie aligned himself against the 9-11 families by taking money from Abdulrahman Alamoudi, and refusing to give it back when it was proven this man was a terrorist in his own right:

In June of 2000, Ed Whitfield received a $1000 donation from a man named Abdulrahman Alamoudi1.  At the time this man was an outspoken supporter of the U.S.-designated terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah2, and he was busy making friends in the highest levels of government. Congressman Ed Whitfield was one of these friends.  Many politicians were smart enough to steer clear of this shady character.  Dennis Kucinich received a $500 donation from Alamoudi, and he returned the money.  Hillary Clinton received $1000 dollars from Alamoudi, and she returned the money.  GEORGE BUSH received $1000 from Alamoudi and even HE returned the money!!  They knew that Alamoudi had questionable connections and radical, terrorist beliefs and they did not want to be associated with him. They were proven to be correct when in 2002 Abdulrahman Alamoudi was sued on behalf of the families of the victims of 9/11 for being involved in terrorist financing activities which led to their loved one’s deaths3.  Most politicians would try to distance themselves from this kind of controversy by returning any campaign contributions, but Ed Whitfield stood by his man and kept his money.

Then, in 2004, Alamoudi confessed in U.S. Federal Court to plotting to assassinate the Crown Prince (now the King) of Saudi Arabia.  He was paid by the Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, and he hired Al Qaeda terrorists to carry out the plot.  He was sentenced and is currently serving 23 years in federal prison4.  Once again, Ed Whitfield’s man Abdulrahman Alamoudi was implicated in a high-level terrorist plot, and Ed 33Whitfield chose to keep his $1000 campaign contribution.

Ed Whitfield has some tough questions to answer.  Why did he choose to associate himself with this terrorist, Abdulrahman Alamoudi?  Why did he keep his $1000 campaign contribution when President George W. Bush was returning his in October, 2000?  Why didn’t he return the money when Alamoudi was implicated in the 9/11 victims families’ lawsuit in 2002?  And why did he not return the money when Alamoudi confessed in U.S. Court in 2004 that he plotted with Libyan and Al Qaeda terrorists to assassinate the future King of Saudi Arabia?

Ed Whitfield’s constituents in Western Kentucky want answers to these questions.  The soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division in Ft. Campbell, stationed in Whitfield’s own Congressional District, want to know why they are asked to fight and die in the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan while their own congressman profits from terrorists.  We are all waiting for Congressman Ed Whitfield’s answers to these questions.

1 Click here to see Ed Whitfield’s FEC statement listing Alamoudi’s campaign contribution from June, 2000.

http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-…

2 Click here to see video of Alamoudi announcing his support of Hamas and Hezbollah in front of the White House in October, 2000. Four months after Whitfield took his money.

http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossr…

3 Click here to see the 9/11 victims families’ lawsuit.  Alamoudi is defendant #12.  Osama bin Laden is defendant #78.

http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/…

4 Click here to see Alamoudi’s plea agreement from July, 2004.  The plot to assassinate Crown Prince Abdullah is described beginning on PDF page 32.

http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/…

http://exxoneddie.com/News.html

So, in the twisted world of Exxon Eddie, vandalism and thievery are “family values”, Corporate Welfare and his own profits are “Energy Policy”, and fighting Terrorism is only important if the Terrorists AREN’T writing checks.

Heather Ryan, his Democratic challenger wasted no time in calling out Exxon Eddie on all points atFancy Farm:

Yes, the hypocrisy of Exxon Ed Whitfield and the Kentucky Republican Party truly knows no bounds. What the First District of Kentucky desperately needs is New Leadership:

Not the failed “leadership” that puts money over all else, even principle:

Heather Ryan is a true “Fighting Democrat” that will take Exxon Eddie to task over his hypocrisy, and failed record of “representing” the citizens of Western Kentucky in the Congress. To do this however, we need your help. Ryan for Kentucky will never take special interest money from Big Oil, or the blood-soaked money of terrorists, so we need you to get our message out. Please, consider helping Heather get the resources she needs to let the 62% of registered Democrats in this district know about the hypocrisy of Exxon Ed Whitfield here:

With your help, we can and will win this race!!

Here at Ryan for Kentucky we have a great candidate who understands we need fundamental change in this district, state and indeed our country. Unlike her opponent, Exxon Ed Whitfield, she is not beholden to the corporate interests that impede progress in this country. She is beholden to her neighbors, who are falling further and further behind due to stagnant wages and the inflation of necessary goods and services due to the record profits of Big Oil. Profits Exxon Eddie is invested in.

We can never depend on people that actually profit from the status-quo to bring about change in this country. We not only need to expand our Congressional majorities, we need to do it with new and better Democrats who won’t forget where they came from, and will fight for us in Washington D.C.

Heather Ryan is just such a Democrat. She knows the problems the disasterous policies of the last seven years have caused everyday working Americans because she lives and works among us. Lets catch up with her on the campaign trail:

I think Heather should keep nailing it home about high gas prices. While Americans fall further behind, gas prices continue to skyrocket along with the corporate profits of Exxon and Chevron, which Exxon Ed Whitfield is invested in. Worse than being merely invested in them, Exxon Eddie has fought for tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer funded corporate welfare for them. We definately need change.

Which brings us to the next subject. Renewable Energy holds much promise for our country, and especially our state. We need to invest in this promising new field, instead of pumping more money into corporations that break our backs with their corporate welfare, while recording record profits.

Heather has different ideas. She wants Kentucky to lead the way in ending our dependence on foriegn oil. She wants to invest in an exciting new industry, an industry where the benefits will be felt by all, not just the Big Oil corporate CEOs. Here is what Heather has to say about renewable energy:

Heather Ryan is young, smart, and energetic. She shares our values and goals, and has been all over this huge district trying to get our message of hope for this district, state, and indeed our nation out. She is the kind of Democrat we can be proud of when elected, as she will fight for us and not sell out her beliefs.

This campaign is picking up serious steam. Everywhere in this district that the 63% of registered Democrats see her, she is picking up new support every day. If you want to see how Democrats react to her when they see and here her for the first time, just watch this speech in front of 3000+ Democrats, most of whom were seeing Heather for the first time:

From what I heard from the people who attended this speech, only Heather and Sen. Clinton recieved standing ovations at this event.

It is plain to me that if we get our message out to our district, we can’t lose. Heather fires up Democrats wherever she appears because they believe in the message she brings. We need your help to keep this campaign going, and gaining momentum as it is now. Please go to this page and support fellow grassroots Democrats who are trying to enact change from the ground up, and expand our Congressional majorities with a Democrat we can be proud of, who will fight for what we believe in:

http://www.actblue.com/page/am…

No matter who you support in the Presidential, we should all be trying to fight for our country from the ground up.

We need Heather Ryan in the Congress!!!

Best wishes fellow Democrats!!

I have been blogging for Heather Ryan, and been a proud member of Ryan for Kentucky for a little over a month now. I have started my own ActBlue page in support of Heather, and asked my fellow Democrats around the country to contribute to Americans for Ryan. Well, many of you have responded, and I am very grateful. I have said that your contribution will be put to work immediately to defeat a sitting incumbent Republican and expand our Congressional majorities.

Well, the good news is the fruits of our labor are paying off!! Because of our netroots support, and support from all over the district we have been able to get a head start during primary season, a primary Heather is unopposed in, and have been able to get Heather’s name out there right now!! A quick drive around my hometown of Paducah lets me see just how valuable your support is, and it also shows me how Ryan for Kentucky is catching on with my neighbors here in Paducah. So, without delay I want to share with you the fruits of our labor!!! Driving around Paducah today, I saw a Ryan for Kentucky prescense!!:

This is just the start!! Democrats in Kentucky’s First District have a candidate they can be proud of!! Heather Ryan is young, smart, and ready to fight for our ideals!! They know that she will fight for the working American even harder than Exxon Eddie fights for billions of dollars in taxpayer funded corporate welfare:

The Budget Reconciliation Bill, signed by President Bush and passed by Congress, cut future spending for Medicare, Medicaid, Student Loans and even free and reduced lunches for poor children; all while giving a $2.3 Billion tax break to Oil Companies and affording a $5.7 billion slush fund to Pharmaceutical Companies (both of which Representative Ed Whitfield has personal financial investments and large campaign contributions).  Corporate welfare for profitable companies who donate heavily to Congressmen is corrupt and scandalous.  I will

work diligently against the culture of corruption which permeates the political system.

http://www.ryanforkentucky.com…

Yes, the citizens of Kentucky’s First District are waking up to the fact that Exxon Ed Whitfield will never lead in trying to bring about the changes we need. This is because not only has he taken tens of thousands in special interest money, but because he is actually invested in and profiting from the policies that impeed progress. Yes, Exxon Eddie will keep doling out welfare to Corporate America, because he is invested in them, not the workers of Kentucky.

We need a REAL Representative in Kentucky’s First District. We need a Representative that understands our citizens because she lives and works among them. We need a Representative that is invested in the working men and women of this district and indeed the whole country, not Exxon, Chevron and the Big Drug companies. We need Heather Ryan for Kentucky!!

Thanks so much for making this all happen. We are so proud of our grassroots support both within and without the district. Heather is very good at making every penney count as you can see.

Our race is just getting started. If we get the resources we need, we WILL defeat Exxon Ed Whitfield this fall and return this seat to where it was for generations, Democratic hands. To do this we need your continued support!! Please consider supporting me in my attempt to raise $1500 for Heather by May 20. As you can see, your money IS going to work IMMEDIATELY to expand our Congressional majorities. Please support the continuation of our work here:

http://www.actblue.com/page/am…

To those of you who have already supported Americans for Ryan, you have my humble thanks. Together, we WILL make a difference in this race and our Congress!!!

Best wishes fellow Democrats!!