I have to say, when I first heard that the US was going to contract with a company owned by a UAE to manage our ports I was pissed. What the hell, sell our national interests to them bastard funny lookin turbin wearin terrorists, come on.

I've calmed down now, heard the presidents explanation and given it a lot more thought. GWB makes a good point, if we can trust the british, why can't we trust the UAE. Let's take it a little bit further - would we allow a company from Saudi Arabia do it. Let me rephrase - could we stomach a Saudi Arabian company doing the job. A lot of the pilots on 9/11 were Saudi's.

So what does it come down to for me - ignorance and hatred. Post 9/11 American's hate anyone who looks like a terrorist and we have zero tolerance for the people that run the companies that exist in places where the terrorists came from - unless your perceived as a good country like Jordan or Saudi Arabia. Doesn't matter if your republican or democrat.

So after I thought about THAT, I calmed down a bit. Then I got pissed all over again! Why:

I want that $7 billion staying right here in the good old USA. This issue shined a light on the fact that we're contracting with foriegn companies for this stuff. I don't want it to go to the Brit's, UAE, canada, the swiss - doesn't matter. I'm going to start a Keep My Cash in The US Coalition.

So I'm mad - in fact I actually feel like I'm ranting - but it's not because it's the UAE, it's the USA. Dammit.

In light of everything we've seen in the st couple of days I'm gonna go out on a limb and make a prediction:

VP Cheney will resign this month, Bush will appoint Secretary Rice to take his place paving the way for her presidential run in 2008.

I've been thinking that this would be a move by the administration since George W was re-elected. However my original prediction was that Cheney would resign due to health issues. The Republicans need to make such a move in order to "tee-up" a strong candidate in the next presidential election.

Also, it needs to happen before mid-term elections just in case the Senate sees a change in leadership.

We'll see...

From the AP in a story about Saddam Hussein:

"The ousted president, who looked disheveled and appeared in his slippers, shouted "Down with Bush!"

Sounds like Saddam's been listening to Al Franken a bit to much!

I've had a bit of a vacation from the blogosphere, just plain too busy protecting my clients to post.

Now I have to get something off my chest and I look forward to the debate that I hope it creates.

I am a lobbyist. What does that make you think of - especially in light of what's occurred recently with Abramoff in DC?

Have a mental picture. Good, now let me tell you why my profession is one of the most important to our political process.

My clients and I give tens of thousands of dollars to federal, state and local candidates running for office every election year. If we didn't how would you know who they are? How would you know where they stand on issues that are important to you? Without the necessary cash flow you simply wouldn't. The electorate would show up on election day without a clue as to who or what they were voting for.

Okay, the people reading this blog will most likely be the exception. You read the paper (only 30% of registered voters do). You go to rallies and meet candidates, you call them on the phone. YOU ARE THE MINORITY. And I don't mean 20 or 30%. I mean less than 1% of voters take the initiative to learn about the people on the sample ballots the receive weeks before the election.

This money goes to pay for the production and airing of valuable commercials, Direct Mail, newspaper ads, etc. The costs of which DOUBLE during election season for candidates. Yes, it is twice as expensive to advertise John Doe for congress as it is to advertise Viagra.

Do we receive favor for those contributions? Absolutely we do. So does the retired senior who spends his weekends hanging signs. So does the college freshman that organizes a rally on the weekend. We are all part of the process and you can bet that once that person gets elected they are going to take the time to listen to what we have to say, to pay back the favor if they can.

However, if I walk into any of their offices and demand that they do something they don't believe in, I can go to hell and I will have ruined the relationship I worked so hard to build.

Campaign contributions are an important part of the system. I firmly believe that it's not how much money is given it's the REPORTING OF THAT MONEY that is most important. The public has a right to know where it comes from.

So how do I spend my time since I have all these politicians in my pocket? I spend countless hours educating them about the issues that are important to my clients. Elected officials rely on me to give them the information they need to make a decision. Oh, and they get it from both sides. I do tons of research. I take very difficult and technical issues and make them easy to understand so that the elected official can comprehend it all.

Our elected officials are required to make decisions about hundreds of issues. Do you expect them all to go to the library and learn about them? No. They get their information from me and the lobbyist on the other side of the issue.

Let’s not forget about the public. They provide a lot of information too but it is mostly emotional, not factual in nature.

As a lobbyist I represent my clients before all political bodies. I pass laws that help protect businesses that employ the public, pay millions in taxes each year and hugely benefit the communities where they live.

Not only do I funnel money to campaigns I also provide strategies for my clients to give ten of thousands of dollars to non-profit organizations that help the poor, children, animals and old people.

I’m a republican but I support the elections of some of the most liberal people I’ve ever met. They may not vote my way but if they prove to me that they’re trustworthy and will tell it to me straight, I’ll support your election.

Finally (for now) as a lobbyist I am the negotiator, the liaison, the deal maker between two sides of an issue. If I can cut a deal that gets a new park for a community and the ability for a client to build down the street, I’ll do it. It’s not always either or.

Anyway, that’s what on my mind today.