Last Saturday I wrote the first installment of "Public Debate." How long did it take Democrats to unleash the strategy discussed in that posting? Here it is Monday and they are already attempting to capitalize in the Senate. Today POLITICO reported:
"Majority Leader Harry Reid called tax incentives for profitable big oil companies 'careless corporate welfare' and said Republicans were siding with the companies over consumers."
I italicized the last part to emphasis the emotional underpinnings to the political discourse the two parties engage in. Its always very effective to evoke an emotional response.
Is he right? Yes, but the point is made strictly for political gain as outlined in the Democratic strategy. However, his statement is deceptive. What he doesn't tell you is that Democrats take money from the same interest groups.
OpenSecrets.org reports on financial contributions made by industries like the Oil and Gas industry: to see the latest data they are reporting from this industry please click on the link:
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/summary.php?cycle=2012&ind=E01
Republicans do receive the majority of the funds doled out by this industry, thus far in 2012 they have received $13M+, but Democrats have also received $1.5M+ thus far this year. Reid's withholding this bit of information is a form of sophistry.
Part two reveals the Republican strategy to win the "gas price messaging war?":
"'Today, Democrats will propose raising taxes on America's energy manufacturers, something common sense and basic economics tell us will lead to even higher prices at the pump,' Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell said ahead of the vote. 'Frankly, I can't think of a better way to illustrate how completely and totally out of touch they are on this issue.'"
What utter nonsense! In the mean time, nothing is really accomplished.
The POLITICO article and be found at:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74499.html
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