Information Update #4: Grassley and Dodd Senators of Our Age

Grassley and Dodd Senators of Our Age

#004 March 17, 2009

More great news this week out of our trustworthy elected officials.

The Honorable Senator Charles Grassley, the esteemed representative from the great state of Iowa stated in an interview suggesting “…that AIG executives should accept responsibility for the collapse of the insurance giant by resigning or killing themselves.”

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008870466_apgrassleyaig.html

This is amazing. Senator Grassley is the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and served as chairman during the Bush administration. Senator Grassley has a 100 percent rating from the National Right to Life Committee, 84 percent rating from the American Conservative Union, 100 percent rating from the Family Research Council, and 100 percent rating from Eagle Forum (Wikipedia).

Why is a Senator suggesting a person (or actually group of people) should commit suicide?

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t this the same Senator that previously voted against assisted suicide. Has he had a change of heart?

Surely Senator Grassley doesn’t think that AIG executives should actually murder themselves… but then again, maybe he does. He actually said (quote from same article), "I suggest, you know, obviously, maybe they ought to be removed," Grassley said. "But I would suggest the first thing that would make me feel a little bit better toward them if they'd follow the Japanese example and come before the American people and take that deep bow and say, I'm sorry, and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide.”

"And in the case of the Japanese, they usually commit suicide before they make any apology."

Excuse me… Senator Grassley, didn’t you vote for the bailout? You know… the one that gave them the money to pay bonuses? Uh, oh… guess you may be in the same boat as the AIG executives – aren’t you both trying to spend someone else’s money without any concern for the consequences?

Or perhaps the only consequence you are considering is what you need to do to be re-elected. Is this not a case of a severe double standard?

Would you like to borrow my sword? No apology is needed, just your little act with the sword will work for me! Shouldn’t a Senator be held to the same standard he expects of others?


Another exciting and fitting example today of one of our great statesmen; the illustrious Senator Chris Dodd has done a complete about face on the AIG bonuses. While he (not only) wholeheartedly supported the financial bailout for AIG, he also added (key word: added – not just supported) an executive compensation restriction to the bill.

That amendment provides an “exception for contractually obligated bonuses agreed on before Feb. 11, 2009,” this amendment actually exempts the very AIG bonuses Dodd and others are seeking today to add a special tax. Senator Dodd’s amendment is in the final version and is law (Thank you Senator Dodd).

Senator Dodd is the Senator (you may recall) that is accused (let’s be magnanimous here) of receiving special loan rates and terms on personal property from former Countrywide President Angelo Mozilo . Mozilo left Countrywide in disgrace (humor) after its failure. I’m sure the millions of dollars he walked away with has helped ease his pain. What is interesting to me is that this issue with the special deals he received can easily be considered gifts (or graft) yet no one is investigating.

http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2008/06/sen-christopher-dodd-tied-to-c.html

In addition, Mr. Dodd (formerly known as the ‘poorest Senator in Washington’) bought an estate in Ireland with a business partner (that was later convicted of financial fraud and pardoned by President Clinton). This partner subsequently “sold” his interest to Mr. Dodd.

None of what I just discussed could be considered anything more than questionable, except the estate is worth (arguably) $700,000 or so and Mr. Dodd shows on his Federal disclosure (and IRS) statements a value of not more than $250,000. Interestingly, Mr. Dodd’s partner was convicted of financial and stock fraud was pardoned and still owes the SEC millions of dollars in fines.

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-rennie-dodd-house0308.artmar08,0,4360050.column

Aren’t these the same type people and crimes Senator Dodd is railing about daily?

Since this is St. Patrick’s Day, I felt moved to write a little limerick about our two esteemed Senators.

Dodd and Grassley – Acting Quite Assley!
By: Allen Wells

There once was a Senator named Grassley
Who spoke about others quite crassly,
He showed his true stance
And left no thoughts to chance
When he suggested and stated
(To have his ego sated)
AIG execs should die by their own hand
For wasting money like sand
If this is the case,
What pain should he face,
And what price should he pay,
For approving the billion dollar bailout giveaway?

Then there was a Senator named Dodd
Who helped AIG with no prod,
Now he rants and raves
And claims he wants to save
Our taxes and money
With about faces that aren’t funny
He voted for bail out dollars
With the rest of the starched collars
Took special deals from Countrywide and others
With enough proof to smother
The common man
Where is the truth and justice
In this man of no substance?

I thought you might just want to know!

With regards,
Allen

Information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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