Down The Sewer Pipe – Politically Speaking

One of the little known, if not completely misunderstood, parts of political life is the idea of conflict of interest.  Other politicians, in other countries, are normally touted as being evil because they own a part of some business, which receives a relegation benefit from the politician.

This happens her two and not just with the elected persons in national office.  Local government and state elected officials often route trolley tracks past property that they own.  As in the MAX expansion into the Oregon town of Milwaukee, where they mayor of the own got Tri-Met to rout the Max line past businesses property that he owns.

Definite conflict of interest can be found by following the money.  Al Gore owns stock in companies that are in the alternate energy business.  He owns part of these companies, proven by stock ownership, resulting in Al Gore damming conventional energy companies while campaigning his own interest.

With the large, public push, into an ever-expanding “green” energy-manufacturing infrastructure, one can only ask this question of the next president, the current governor of Oregon, and the newly elected form Oregon democratic senator.  “How much of these “green” providers do you known?”

This is a valid question because, in order to have a fully functioning democracy (where choice abounds) that is completely constitutional, industrial regulations need to be equal for all.  As soon as the regulations defer to one industry, while being obtrusive to others, the elected officials, in the legislative and executive branches of government, have a conflict of interest.

Bringing us back to the question of where is the money going.  I submit to you that if Obama, Al Gore, and Kewngoski owned stock in steel mills or a lumber mill, then energy regulations would favor those industries.

All of this can be avoided if, as I did when I was in office, every industry or group is treated equally.  This means that membership lists in neighborhood action committees, or any other organization, be made public.  As soon as someone says that, his or her “group” is for or against something, and then their membership list is private.  At that point the person speaking on behalf of the group has a vote of one, just like anyone else.

Watch to see which businesses or industries in your area receive more favored legislation than another.  Then you will know where the politicians have placed their money.

Sherman