About those Kitchen Appliances

By: Eric
Published On: 9/1/2006 8:23:19 AM

Back in June I wrote a post about George Allen and some legislation he introduced to suspend duties on a number of specific kitchen appliances.  It hasn't been a top priority, but it has been rattling around in the back of my head for a while now.

What could be going on?

Common wisdom would say that Allen was doing a favor for a corporation that supports him.  This is certianly a trail to follow. 

Given Allen's brazen use of an ethnic slur while on video, I decided to go for the knockout and check his personal finances.  Could he be so bold that he'd introduce legislation that would benefit him or his family directly?

And so the digging began...
First off, I found out that I'd missed a few posts.  On DailyKos and one on WebbForSenate.  Jeez, talk about out to lunch on this one - I had some catching up to do. 

Well, after reviewing those posts, plus a little more, there is a clearer picture...

First off, it doesn't appear that there is anything seriously underhanded going on here.  Allen does own some stock in companies that could possibly benefit from lowered tariffs, but this connection wouldn't pass a laugh test.  And he does receive donations/support from other companies that could benefit so he could very well be helping out a specific donor, but there isn't any specific evidence as to who or what.

Furthermore, it seems that late May there was a bipartisan "effort" to introduce a vast array of similiar suspended duty legislation that would have an impact on Hong Kong and Mainland China trade.  Check out who and what. 

HOWEVER...

That doesn't mean our Senator gets away clean.  The Webb Campaign blog addresses it nicely...

Do they know while George Allen has been telling Virginians he has no time to introduce a bill rewarding U.S. soldiers for fighting bravely in the Global War on Terror (GWOT), he does have time to introduce 15 different pieces of legislation lowering tariffs on household food appliances +óGé¼GÇ£ made in China!

And...

[George Allen] has claimed that 'China cheats' on its trade agreements and that China is a threat to America+óGé¼Gäós economy, yet he sponsored piece of legislation after piece of legislation that benefits Chinese manufacturers at the peril of American manufacturers and American workers.

So maybe there isn't anything really dirty here, but Allen sure is confused about what team he's playing for.

Comments



Nice post!! (summercat - 9/1/2006 8:30:33 AM)
I'd say Allen is not so much confused as hypocritical.  And consciously so.  I sure wish his loyal base could see thru the smoke screen.  Here is good fodder for Dem ads, imo.


Sell out to corporations... (Info_Tech_Guy - 9/1/2006 9:43:10 AM)
George Allen has time to co-sponsor "SKIL bill" legislation to aid corporations in their efforts to import larger and larger numbers of highly skilled and highly educated non-American low wage workers under the pretext of a "desperate labor shortage". (Google "SKIL bill" and Matloff.)

Allen is a shill for corporations. He strikes occasional poses of "economic nationalism" but he is a sell-out to corporate lobbies. George Allen is actively working to satisfy the demands of corporate lobbies indifferent to the fact that such policies are destroying the American middle class and the technological/industrial base in the U.S.



Dump Allen (loboforestal - 9/1/2006 11:35:14 AM)
Yeah, Allen seems determined to drive down wages by legalizing indentured servitude.  It makes you wonder why anybody who works to feed a family would consider voting for Allen.  Webb is definitely the antidote to PAC sponsored politicians like Allen.  Allen's SKIL bill is another attack on Americans.


Get off the horse.. (VA Breeze - 9/1/2006 11:10:08 AM)
This trend continues as Allen won't help the ban on Horse slaughter as he wants the support of the cattle industry, especially in Iowa. Now, in Virginia, many including the Virgina Thoroughbred Assoc. support the ban.

George-so busy running for president-didn't see the buzz saw that is Jim Webb!

Also, maybe Susan Allen needs some kitchen appliances-cheap.



Toasters for Allen !! (hereinva - 9/1/2006 8:58:24 PM)
Allen's Appliance Alliance:
I guess he WAS too busy to introduce meaningful legislation that honor our men and women who serve in the armed services...15 separate appliance tariff bills with no co-sponsors- thats hard work.