1. A Shocking Conflict of Interest?
Dear Environmental Activist
When Republican Congressman Paul Ryan was asked at a town hall meeting in Waterford, WI, about the need to end subsidies to oil companies, he responded, “I agree.” [1]
But just one week later, Ryan voted to give Big Oil billions in taxpayer-funded handouts. [2]
Now comes the shocking revelation that Congressman Ryan and his family are making thousands of dollars from oil companies that lease their land companies that stand to benefit from the same tax breaks Ryan is pushing.
“Newsweek” and the “Daily Beast” reported recently on what appears to be Ryan’s shocking conflict of interest:
“The financial disclosure report Ryan filed with Congress last month and made public this week shows he and his wife, Janna, own stakes in four family companies that lease land in Texas and Oklahoma to the very energy companies that benefit from the tax subsidies in Ryan’s budget plan.
“Ryan’s father-in-law, Daniel Little, who runs the companies, told Newsweek and The Daily Beast that the family companies are currently leasing the land for mining and drilling to energy giants such as Chesapeake Energy, Devon, and XTO Energy, a recently acquired subsidiary of ExxonMobil.
“Some of these firms would be eligible for portions of the $45 billion in energy tax breaks and subsidies over 10 years protected in the Wisconsin lawmaker’s proposed budget.” [3]
Not only has Ryan voted to give Big Oil companies like ExxonMobil billions in government handouts, but as the article notes he has also proposed a 2012 budget that also gives Big Oil billions in special tax breaks. [4] And as the point person on the budget for the Republican House leadership, Ryan has significant sway and influence on the congressional budget process.
At a time when middle-class families are feeling the pinch of an economy still on the rebound and state governments are facing massive budget shortfalls, Ryan is asking American taxpayers to continue providing massive government handouts for some of the world’s most profitable companies all while his family stands to benefit from some of those same companies’ profits.
Tell Congressman Paul Ryan that championing special tax breaks for Big Oil while profiting from the oil industry is wrong.
[1] http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/04/28/162071/paul-ryan-oil-subsidies/
[2] http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll293.xml
[3] http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/06/17/paul-ryan-s-shrewd-budget-payday-congressman-could-benefit-from-tax-breaks-he-proposes.html
[4] http://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/LCV-Statement-on-Big-Oil-Budget-Proposed-by-Chairman-Paul-Ryan.html
Sincerely,
Navin Nayak Senior Vice President, Campaigns League of Conservation Voters
2. Dear Kevin,
I can’t say I was surprised when I found out that Citizens United, the group that sued all the way to the Supreme Court to inject corporate money into American elections, wrote one of my potential opponents a $10,000 check on the day he filed his campaign papers. After all, you and I have been fighting back hard against that kind of special interest politics. It’s no wonder they’re not with us.
That $10,000 check is a clear signal that the corporate special interests are playing to win in Ohio. So let’s show ‘em we’re ready.
I’m setting an ambitious goal for our campaign: to raise $100,000 by the June 30th FEC deadline. And, to help us get there, a group of generous donors will match your contribution until midnight on June 30th, doubling the impact of your grassroots support.
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We don’t yet know who our opponent will be. But it’s safe to say that, no matter who it is, they’ll have plenty of support from Citizens United and the whole constellation of corporate special-interest rainmakers, from Karl Rove to the Koch brothers.
Organizing now, before our opponent is selected, will give us a leg up — and could make the difference next year.
Early action, however, requires early investment, and the June 30th FEC deadline is a critical moment in the campaign. That’s why a group of supporters has stepped up to make sure every dollar you contribute before June 30th has twice the impact. This is how we’re going to more than match my potential opponent’s support from Citizens United, and we’ll send a signal of our own: This election is not for sale to corporate special interests.
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In the end, it doesn’t matter who our opponent is — or what corporate special interests are on his side. Because if we stand united and take advantage of the opportunity to build a strong campaign early, we can win.
Thank you for all you do,
Sherrod
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