Watch Representatative Jim Jordan (R., Ohio), chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight, and Government Spending, question John Woolard, president and CEO of BrightSource Energy, about using political influence in order to receive $1.6 billion from the Department of Energy loan-guarantee program during a May 16 hearing.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
How Cronyism Works in Washington D.C.
You can always turn to Veronique de Rugy to get to the bottom of the dirty and ugly in Washington D.C. She supplies the below video and comments on crony capitalism:
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I've taken shits that smell better than our politicians and executives like this.
ReplyDeleteIs Jim Jordan usually pretty good? My only knowledge of him comes form this video and the Peter Schiff in congress youtube where he comes off as pretty good. But my knowledge of him ends there.
ReplyDeleteMeh. Yeah green energy is just an excuse for funneling money to cronies, but Jordan is decrying "political influence" in the money funneling, not the practice generally, and he is using the hearing to put out soundbites rather than uncover facts. He sets up the witness with yes or no questions, brings up prior statements which he claims are inconsistent, then, instead of letting the guy explain or give context, he just keeps on with his monologue. This is the kind of treatment I saw Tom DiLorenzo get at Ron Paul's hearing on monetary policy--Congressman Clay just rambled on about a bunch of "confusions" (accusations) but never gave DiLorenzo a question so that he couldn't talk. Jordan's behavior was nowhere near as bad as Clay's, but the difference is only in degree.
ReplyDeleteIf the accusations are valid, make them and let the guy dig his own hole trying to explain it away, like Ron Paul does to Bernanke. Congress's subpoena power is totalitarian enough without using it to score political points and harass witnesses.
Sometimes you have to work to get a direct answer. DiLorenzo is a total scatter brain.
DeleteI QUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHOES PROJECT HE IS PUSHING. FOR HIS OWN DISTRICT IT LOOKS LIKE HE WAS PUSHING FOR THIS DEFENSE BILL AS MUCH AS ANYONE WAS PUSHING FOR THIS 1.6 BILLION HE IS DISGUSTED WITH.
ReplyDeleteTYPICAL REPUBLICAN. OUTRAGED UNTIL IT HAS TO DO WITH HIS DISTRICT
House Defense Authorization Bill Protects 4th District Defense Programs
Washington, May 18 -
A defense bill passed by the House of Representatives today authorizes $255.4 million for Abrams tank upgrade work at Lima’s Joint Systems Manufacturing Center and prohibits the transfer or retirement of C-27J cargo aircraft flown by the Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) has announced.
The funding for Lima, an increase of $181 million over President Obama’s request, as well as the provision that would impact the C-27J program, is included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013, which was approved by a vote of 299 to 120 today. Jordan voted for the bill.
Overall, the NDAA authorizes $554.2 billion for Department of Defense activities in Fiscal Year 2013, consistent with the House-passed budget. It establishes a 1.7-percent across-the-board pay raise for members of the military and extends bonuses and special pay programs. It also maintains our ability to detain, interrogate, and prosecute foreign terrorists without diminishing or in any way affecting the rights of citizens.
Actual defense spending for Fiscal Year 2013 will be determined in separate legislation later this year. Jordan said that he will work to protect the authorized funding for tank upgrades as work continues on the 2013 budget.
“This bill reflects our continued commitments to a strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, and ensuring the rights of American citizens,” Jordan said. “It honors the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform as they protect and serve our nation at home and abroad.”