by Jim Hightower & r & Lame Encounters & r & Why are Washington policy makers -- both Republicans and Democrats -- so lame? On issue after issue, the American public has strong, progressive positions, yet the White House and Congress either ignore the public entirely (such as on bringing the troops home from Iraq) or try to co-opt the public's position by passing some mealy-mouthed, milquetoast proposal that changes nothing (such as the recent prescription drug benefit under Medicare) or they do the exact opposite of what the public wants (such as the law to eliminate bankruptcy protection for hard-hit families).
The reason for our so-called "leaders," the lameness, of course, is spelled M-O-N-E-Y. Corporations -- with their campaign money and hordes of lobbyists -- control the action in Washington, the public be damned.
Take skyrocketing gasoline prices. George W and the GOP say you should just drive less. The Democrats say there should be some studies done. But what does the public say?
A recent poll shows that big majorities of We The People are mad-as-hell and want strong action -- not more Washington wussiness. Nearly nine out of 10 Americans (including 82 percent of Republicans) think big oil corporations are gouging us. Eight out of 10 (including 76 percent of Republicans) would support a windfall profits tax on the oil giants if the revenues went for more research on alternative energy.
Also, 73 percent say it's important for the federal government to impose higher fuel-efficiency standards on car and truck makers (a strong regulatory sentiment that's even supported by seven out of 10 Republicans). One more number: Four out of five Americans think U.S. automakers should follow Toyota's lead in converting all vehicles to fuel-saving hybrid technology.
To fight Washington 's lameness, check out & lt;a href="http://www.40mpg.org & quot; & 40mpg & lt;/a & .
For more nuggets of wisdom from America's No. 1 populist, check out & lt;a href="http://www.jimhightower.com" & his website & lt;/a & .
The reason for our so-called "leaders," the lameness, of course, is spelled M-O-N-E-Y. Corporations -- with their campaign money and hordes of lobbyists -- control the action in Washington, the public be damned.
Take skyrocketing gasoline prices. George W and the GOP say you should just drive less. The Democrats say there should be some studies done. But what does the public say?
A recent poll shows that big majorities of We The People are mad-as-hell and want strong action -- not more Washington wussiness. Nearly nine out of 10 Americans (including 82 percent of Republicans) think big oil corporations are gouging us. Eight out of 10 (including 76 percent of Republicans) would support a windfall profits tax on the oil giants if the revenues went for more research on alternative energy.
Also, 73 percent say it's important for the federal government to impose higher fuel-efficiency standards on car and truck makers (a strong regulatory sentiment that's even supported by seven out of 10 Republicans). One more number: Four out of five Americans think U.S. automakers should follow Toyota's lead in converting all vehicles to fuel-saving hybrid technology.
To fight Washington 's lameness, check out & lt;a href="http://www.40mpg.org & quot; & 40mpg & lt;/a & .
For more nuggets of wisdom from America's No. 1 populist, check out & lt;a href="http://www.jimhightower.com" & his website & lt;/a & .
