Democrats keep bringing reason and logic to a knife fight, and being surprised when they get stabbed repeatedly. They seem to lack an understanding of the ways they can take advantage of the levers of power to do things which are perfectly legal and ethical, which nevertheless benefit them politically. Hardball by bureaucrats, of the sort which Franklin Roosevelt’s executive branch played so well.
It was deeply discouraging to watch adult child of an alcoholic Bill C. reward his enemies and punish his friends for eight years. To watch Obama cover up Bush’s crimes – and extend some – is infuriating.
Prosecution, regulation and oversight are wonderful ways to play hardball with mine owners, especially guilty-as-hell ones. Obama’s Justice Department and Mine Safety and Health Administration need to make a big time example of Coal Baron Don Blankenship, owner of Massey Coal and Republican money man. It’s not just that he’s a soulless and corrupt man who needs to be brought to heel. As such, he is an important supporter of the Republican Party and its anti-worker, anti-regulation agenda. His individual contributions to the national GOP total $92k lifetime. In the 2006 West Virginia state elections, he spent $1,155,000 in independent expenditures, and $1,905,000 on electioneering expenses.
Take his money. Send him to prison. Humiliate him. Make him a media example of a Republican corporate bad guy. And when Republicans complain – and they will – smile and insist no malice is involved, only justice. And then ask them what they would like to defend about Don Blankenship’s record. In case anyone feels queasy, remember the bastards had a grand jury drip on the aforementioned Bill C. for a solid year. The fact that a righteous prosecution and putting the regulatory screws down also help de-fund the far right and loosen a state’s politics up a little bit is just a bonus.
The State of West Virginia has been in political thrall to Don Blankenship for years. You had better believe that $3,000,000 such as Blankenship spent on state elections in 2006 goes a long way in West Virgina. The state is not without strategic importance. It is one of the most heavily unionized in the nation, but voted for Bush against Gore in 2000, which would have won the election for Gore without a chance for the Supreme Court to play electoral college. Here is a place to stand with the unions and the people of West Virginia against Don Blankenship and the Republicans. And then we need to get in the habit of doing this every chance we get.
