Wednesday, January 26, 2005
"You've got to dance with them whut brung you"
An old saying in politics that the intrepid Texan author and journalist Molly Ivins used as the title of her 1998 book about politicians (of both parties) and the pervasive influence of those who fund them.
Very appropriate. Last week was party-time in Washington,D.C, but the dances began long before the big hoopla. The president’s dance card is full. There would be a lot of them.
Lined up for their turn:
The pharmaceutical industry. It is going to get its wish for banning importation of prescription drugs from Canada by consumers. Why ? They are unsafe ! A Jig.
The financial sector. There is going to be a humdinger of a dance as the so called “privatization” of Social Secutity Program begins to take shape. Rock and Roll.
Heads of the timber industry as well as chemical and automobile industries. They are grinning from ear to ear. The money they contributed for the parties will come back to them with handsome dividends. Texas Two Step.
The pushers of tax cuts for the top income bracket already got their dance. They want more, and the president is a firm believer in cutting taxes for those who have the most. Paso Doble ?
There are many others. The vice president has been helping out by dancing with representatives of military contractors, energy and aerospace industries.
Ever wonder why some people talk about “entitlements” and “welfare queens”, and see nothing wrong with creation of tax loop holes for the corporations that contribute large sums to campaigns of politicians ? Watch out every time they talk about "simplifying" the tax code.
In the documentary film “Fahrenheit 9/11” there is a segment which shows President Bush at a formal dinner. He walks to the microphone, turns to the guests at the head table and says: "What an impressive crowd: the haves, and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite, I call you my base.”
There you have it. Straight from the horse's mouth. Michael Moore didn't write the words; he did not force the president to say them. No one can accuse the president of not taking care of his base.
Very appropriate. Last week was party-time in Washington,D.C, but the dances began long before the big hoopla. The president’s dance card is full. There would be a lot of them.
Lined up for their turn:
The pharmaceutical industry. It is going to get its wish for banning importation of prescription drugs from Canada by consumers. Why ? They are unsafe ! A Jig.
The financial sector. There is going to be a humdinger of a dance as the so called “privatization” of Social Secutity Program begins to take shape. Rock and Roll.
Heads of the timber industry as well as chemical and automobile industries. They are grinning from ear to ear. The money they contributed for the parties will come back to them with handsome dividends. Texas Two Step.
The pushers of tax cuts for the top income bracket already got their dance. They want more, and the president is a firm believer in cutting taxes for those who have the most. Paso Doble ?
There are many others. The vice president has been helping out by dancing with representatives of military contractors, energy and aerospace industries.
Ever wonder why some people talk about “entitlements” and “welfare queens”, and see nothing wrong with creation of tax loop holes for the corporations that contribute large sums to campaigns of politicians ? Watch out every time they talk about "simplifying" the tax code.
In the documentary film “Fahrenheit 9/11” there is a segment which shows President Bush at a formal dinner. He walks to the microphone, turns to the guests at the head table and says: "What an impressive crowd: the haves, and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite, I call you my base.”
There you have it. Straight from the horse's mouth. Michael Moore didn't write the words; he did not force the president to say them. No one can accuse the president of not taking care of his base.
