Flawed Basis for a Vote

May 12, 2011 at 5:04 AM

By: RAY MAYFIELD

I recently received two e-mails from Congressman Andy Harris proclaiming that he was proud of voting for the “Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act”.  As rationalization, he cites a study by Dr. Joseph Mason, a professor at Louisiana State University, who disputes the findings of a blue ribbon Inter-Agency Economic Report on the Economic Effects of the Deepwater Drilling Moratorium on the Gulf Coast Economy. That report was the work of a team of highly educated, knowledgeable and independent experts.

The professor’s conclusions are hardly unbiased, but rather his opinion was funded by and responsive to the American Energy Alliance (AEA).  Founded in May, 2008, AEA states that “it is a not-for-profit organization that engages in grassroots public policy advocacy and debate concerning energy and environmental policies”.  In fact, while it says that it accepts citizen donations, its real financial support comes directly from the Petroleum Industry.  

This is, in short, a high powered lobbying organization pressing the case for turning the oil companies loose without regard to any environmental concern.  

While I understand the need for such groups to make their case before the American public, I find it repulsive to have our Congressman unashamedly rely on a single individual financed by the oil industry as the rationale for a vote.  Really, I am truly surprised that any Congressman would ever publically proclaim such fealty to a lobby group.  He is an embarrassment to the Eastern Shore.

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