To avoid misunderstanding, let me say unequivocally that BP Screwed up. People died, the environment has been damaged, and too many people to count have had their meager lifestyle negatively impacted. It is a tragedy beyond comprehension to most of us and BP needs to be held responsible under the rule of law on which this country was built – not by an illegal shakedown.
Rush Limbaugh today read an article by Thomas Sowell concerning the BP shakedown of $20 billion. They both rail against the unconstitutional taking of property and blast Obama for his disregard of the Constitution. They both (well respected and far smarter than me), however, seem to have missed the point. It is really quite simple.
Look at Obama’s life. A fatherless boy taught to hate America. His liberal agenda is classic – take from the rich to give to the poor without effort or merit. There is no social program that should not be funded, and his only labor even approaching a job (as the rest of us understand that word) was as a community organizer fundraiser. Just another form of taking from the rich (often through false guilt) to give to the poor. While he was allegedly an “editor” of the law journal, I’ve never known ANY member of the law review to attain that highly sought credential without a competitive writing assignment and requirement to publish. And the only case he apparently ever argued was on behalf of ACORN, which he won before a like minded liberal judge.
He served part of a term in the Illinois legislature and part of a term in the Senate. The only thing he understands is campaigning and fundraising. Since being elected he has completely failed to lead, but has unceasingly campaigned. Even after the health care bill has become law he continues to press for its acceptance. It’s a campaign. Everything is a campaign in Chicago politics. All he knows how to do is campaign.
What he did with BP was use the political muscle he best understands – that of the Chicago political system – to extract a campaign donation. Rush and Thomas both criticize Obama for using the funds to give his friends a job or to buy votes. But isn’t that what you do with campaign contributions.? Pay your friends to further promote your campaign and garner votes? With this money he will look tough, fund more pet projects, vilify BP (the “rich” despite the fact that he has stolen the money from BP shareholders – oh yeah, just like he did at GM for the benefit of the unions), and demand their undying obsequience to further his liberal agenda. The fact that there is no Constitutional authority for what Obama did is simply of no concern. He has never cared about the Constitution meaning anything but whatever serves his immediate purpose. More importantly, there is actually a Constitutional PROHIBITION against the taking of property without due process. Look it up. It’s in the fifth amendment, right after the rule against self incrimination. Unless of course it is a “voluntary” campaign contribution, to match all the funds he has previously received from BP.
While it may be due to normal internet problems, the article from Thomas Sowell has been removed from TownHall.com. Very interesting.
Joe McGrenra 2:38 pm on June 25, 2010 Permalink
Thomas Sowell is one of the most intelligent columnists writing today, therefore detested by the liberals. The policies being developed and supported by the party in charge of both Congress and the White House are destroying our country.