4 ms·
So, the theory is, the oil and gas industry can afford a few dozen or hundred Congressmen, but can't afford a President, or a Secretary, or even a few unelected
by jerf 2y ago
So, the theory is, the oil and gas industry can afford a few dozen or hundred Congressmen, but can't afford a President, or a Secretary, or even a few unelected bureaucrats whose offices I don't even know how to name that are actually making these decisions?
The problem isn't that you are wrong. You're right that Congress is for sale. The problem is, everyone is for sale, so that's a null argument; it cuts against you exactly as much as it cuts for you.
I mean, that totally blows. Don't mistake me for celebrating this. But it doesn't work as a "let's give the $BRANCH power over this" argument in any direction.
- enragedcacti 2y agoKind of a weird argument when the whole discussion is about a time when the executive stood up to the fossil fuel industry and heavily tightened regulations. Further, un-elected bureaucrats accepting bribes for official acts is plainly illegal* and they don't have campaign funds which is the primary way money moves from industry to congress' pockets. *becoming less illegal thanks to scotus https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/supreme-court-limits-scope-of-anti-bribery-law/ https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/supreme-court-limits-scop...
- gunapologist99 2y agoAgreed. It's also a lot harder, more expensive, and much more easily detected to buy off the majority of Congress than a single President or Secretary.
- jandrese 2y agoYou don't need a majority, you only need to buy off the committee chair. Maybe just enough to cover the gap (currently 2) if something manages to slip out of committee, maybe a few more if you think the legislation is going to be especially popular.