With one week to go until elections, the Republicans can ill afford another scandal. But that is just what the Bush Administration is giving them.

The New York Times this morning reports,

The Interior Department has dropped claims that the Chevron Corporation systematically underpaid the government for natural gas produced in the Gulf of Mexico, a decision that could allow energy companies to avoid paying hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties.

The agency had ordered Chevron to pay $6 million in additional royalties but could have sought tens of millions more had it prevailed.

“The government is giving up without a fight,” said Richard T. Dorman, a lawyer representing private citizens suing Chevron over its federal royalty payments. “If this decision is left standing, it would result in the loss of tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of dollars in royalties owed by other companies.”

But the Bush administration has come under fire on Capitol Hill for its record on collecting payments. While the Interior Department has sweetened incentives for exploration and pushed to open wilderness areas for drilling, it has also cut back on full-scale audits of companies intended to make sure they are paying their full share.
Administration officials knew that dozens of companies had incorrectly claimed exemptions from royalties since 2003, but they waited until December 2005 to send letters demanding about $500 million in repayments.
In addition, four government auditors last month publicly accused the Interior Department of blocking their efforts to recover more than $30 million from the Shell Oil Corporation, the Kerr-McGee Corporation and other major companies.

“This latest revelation proves that the Bush administration is incapable of preventing big oil companies from cheating taxpayers,” said Representative Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, a senior Democrat on the House Committee on Resources. “The public has been systematically fleeced out of royalties that these companies owe for the privilege of drilling for oil and gas on lands belonging to all of us.”

Its time to do away with the secretive process of keeping information that should be available to citizen hidden behind corporate claims of proprietary information. How can it be proprietary if bidding process isn’t rigged? The very competitors that they say they are keeping the information from is already aware of what is bid and we the taxpayers have a right to know how much of our natural resources are being removed by corporate greed.

I believe one of our congressmen should introduce a bill that says – Monthly extraction reports must be filed where a resource is taken from Public Land, and that based on the previous months average price, the contractor will pay to the Government 10% of that price times amount extracted – no loopholes, no legal mumbo jumbo, straight and simple law making.

At first glance, the suspected underpayments seemed trivial: about $6 million out of hundreds of millions in royalties. But the audits were limited to only a handful of plants. Had the Interior Department pressed its claims successfully, it could have recovered money tied to all the other plants, and for other years.

Chevron paid the $6 million but appealed. The file in that case now runs more than 900 pages, most of it still off-limits to the public.

Mr. Hosie, who represented Louisiana in a lawsuit that led to a $100 million verdict against Chevron over underpaid oil royalties, expressed surprise at the federal government’s decision in the natural gas case.

“Is it even remotely likely that oil companies systematically underpay private royalty owners and state governments, but pay the federal government perfectly properly?” Mr. Hosie asked. “Isn’t it more likely they are underpaying everybody?”

On July 11, three weeks before the department dropped its case against Chevron, Mr. Dorman and other lawyers involved in a Texas lawsuit against Chevron wrote to Interior Department officials. The lawyers, who represent a whistle-blower seeking to recover money for the federal government, said they were suing Chevron over the same issues the department had raised.

“All we were saying was that they should wait to see what evidence we turned up, and that we would gladly share everything we had with them,” Mr. Dorman said. His firm faxed a letter to the policy appeals division. Getting no response, the lawyers sent a copy by U.P.S. Six days later, it was returned. The reason, according to the U.P.S. label: “Receiver did not want, refused delivery.”

The agency confirmed in a statement that it knew of the lawyers’ case. Asked why it refused to accept their letter, the Minerals Management Service said it could not comment “because these matters are the subject of pending litigation.”

This is just another case of the Bush Administration running roughshod over the American people to line the pockets of their Big Oil cronies. Representative John Shimkus of IL-19 has voted with the Bush Administration 98% of the time in regards to shady deals like this. Its time to call the chickens home to roost (read retire). People in the 19th District of Illinois should support Danny L. Stover, the Democratic candidate for Congress and put integrity back in Washington.

Ron McBride
WeDemocrats.org
netquest@shawneelink.net
Join WeDemocrats at: http://dfalink.com/group.php?id=2043

This morning Sunday, I received a call from something called the Terrance or Terrace Group I think that was the name from Provo, UT, the lady said they were doing a national survey of public leaders, no idea why they would select a disabled, grandfather for their survey.

The following are from notes I made as they went through the questions, and are not exactly as asked, but main points are. My notes were in order of ‘Bush doing good job’ and ‘Shimkus deserve reelection’ below I expanded them to best of my memory.

After telling me that I was chosen to get the call because I was a public leader, they proceeded to ask loaded questions (My answers in ()) such as;

1. Do you think the country is headed in the right direction? (No)
2. Do you think President Bush is doing a good job? (No)
3. Who do you plan to vote for in the upcoming election in IL-19, Rep. John Shimkus or Stover his opponent? (Stover)
4. Do you support marriage between a man and a woman? (Yes)
5. Do you support allowing same rights to terrorists as American citizens? (Yes)
6. Do you think Rep Shimkus has performed his job well enough to deserve reelection? (NO)
7. Do you want your taxes raised or lowered? (Lowered)
8. Do you support medical experiments on unborn babies? (stem cell research yes)
9. Do you support pro life? (I support the woman’s right to choose)
10. Do you think the words “under God” should be in the Pledge of Allegiance? (yes)
11. What are you doing to support Rep. Shimkus? (Nothing)
12. Do you support the NRA? (within reason)
13. Who do you plan to vote for in the upcoming election? [repeat from first question] (Stover)

I only wish I had thought to record the call, but when I asked for her phone number the woman that called said “Thank you and hung up”.

These are negative, misleading and false information type questions designed to make Shimkus seem the only possible candidate for IL-19. They also are an attempt to color the opinion of voters.

What purpose did this serve, other than to tee me off, and make me wonder how many would vote for Shimkus because of the loaded questions… this type of campaigning is repugnant?

My question is has anyone else gotten these calls, if so did you get a phone number, we need to have some proof to file a complaint with the FEC.

Use the email address below to tell me about your experience with this outfit, and what they asked you, and to give me the phone number, if they had used my cell phone to call, I would have had a record, but house phone doesn’t record number. But the lady said in the beginning they were from Provo, Utah when I asked her to repeat who she was and where she was from she proceeded to ask her questions.

Ron McBride
netquest@shawneelink.net
WeDemocrats.org
Join WeDemocrats at: http://dfalink.com/group.php?id=2043

When asked yesterday in a White House press conference if we were winning the war in Iraq, Bush said, “Absolutely, we're winning. Al Qaeda is on the run. As a matter of fact, the mastermind, or the people who they think is the mastermind of the September the 11th attacks is in our custody. We've now got a procedure for this person to go on trial, to be held for his account.”

“We're winning, and we will win, unless we leave before the job is done. And the crucial battle right now is Iraq.”

Dan Froomkin in a Special to washingtonpost.com Thursday, October 26, 2006; 12:50 PM
And regardless of his recent public attempts at semantic backtracking, Bush made it clear to this group of supporters that "stay the course" remains his strategy.

As for "stay the course"? Said Bush: "This stuff about 'stay the course' -- stay the course means, we're going to win.”

(I agree, this sounds like stay the course to me, although the President denies he ever said that.)

“I will send more troops to Iraq if General Casey says, I need more troops in Iraq to achieve victory. And that's the way I've been running this war.” Said Bush.

(I agree, it is true that it is the way he has been running the war, say one thing and do another, say we will cap troop levels at 125,000, then send another 22,000 men and women into battle)

“This notion about, you know, fixed timetable of withdrawal, in my judgment, is a -- means defeat. You can't leave until the job is done. Our mission is to get the job done as quickly as possible.”

Here's Wolf Blitzer on CNN yesterday, talking to correspondent Michael Ware in Baghdad.

Blitzer: "The president flatly said today the United States is winning. . . .
"From your point of view, does it look like the U.S. is winning right now?"

Ware: "The president's remarks are absolutely striking, Wolf.
"I mean I would very much like to ask President Bush how he defines winning, because on the ground here, it looks like anything but.
"Given the state of chaos, given the near civil war, given the rising tempo of the Sunni insurgency, given the increasing influence, as Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad pointed out, of Iran and, to a lesser degree, Syria, I would like to know how the president defines victory.

"So far in this war, what we have seen with the way things have developed is that two of America's greatest enemies are the only beneficiaries of this conflict -- al Qaeda, which 16 U.S. intelligence agencies say has become stronger, not weaker, as a result of this war. So the very thing the president says he came here to prevent, he has fostered.

"And the other one is Iran. Iran's sphere of influence once stopped at Saddam's border. Now, they have great sway not only in southern Iraq, but within the central government, arguably, more sway than the United States."

President Bush was also asked, “Mr. President. With a Republican Congress, you failed to achieve three major goals of your second term: Social Security reform, a tax code overhaul, and a comprehensive immigration bill. Why shouldn't Americans give Democrats a chance to work with you on those issues, especially when divided government seemed to work in the late 1990s on the budget?”

His Answer, “First, I haven't given up on any of those issues. I've got two years left to achieve them. And I firmly believe it is more likely to achieve those three objectives with a Republican-controlled Congress and a Republican-controlled Senate. And I believe I'll be working with a Republican-controlled Congress and a Republican-controlled Senate.”

“Secondly, I'll tell you what I see -- you didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway. I see there's a lot of enthusiasm amongst the grassroots activists.”

(Gee whiz I have to agree with him once again, 755 people have joined the grassroots WeDemocrats in the first three weeks it has been open for membership, now Mr. President that is enthusiasm)

Another Reporter asked, “Mr. President. Back in 2000, you campaigned around the country saying you wanted to usher in the responsibility era, to end the days when people said, if it feels good, do it, and if you've got a problem, blame somebody else. Over the last several months, we've seen many members of your own party in Congress embroiled in one scandal or another and all too ready to blame somebody else, whether prosecutors, or Democrats, or even the media. So I'm wondering, why do you think it is so many people in your own party have failed to live up to the standards of the responsibility era?

THE PRESIDENT: “If any person in any party fails to live up to high standards, they ought to be held to account, Richard. It's important for there to be trust in the halls of Congress and in the White House, and throughout government. People got to trust elected leaders in order for democracy to work to its fullest extent. And I fully expect people to be held to account if there's wrongdoing, just like I expect corporate executives to be held to account for wrongdoing; just like I expect people throughout our society to be held to account for wrongdoing.”

“In order to make this country work, and to make democracy succeed, there's got to be high standards, and people must be held to account to achieve those standards.”

(I agree that they should be held responsible, but George Bush’s attitude is as long as Republicans don’t have to be held responsible, Hastert and Shimkus aren’t being held accountable for their actions on the Mark Foley sex scandal cover-up, as long as Cheney and Rumsfelt aren’t held accountable for their selling of Iraq, as long as President Bush isn’t held accountable for his two faced lies, Mr. President who is accountable?)

The President: “I think the coming election is a referendum on these two things: which party has got the plan that will enable our economy continue -- to continue to grow, and which party has a plan to protect the American people.”

(Once again I agree with the President, the coming election is a referendum on Republican policies and Republican leadership, a referendum on failed War in Iraq policies, a referendum on Republican failure to take responsibility for their actions, instead we hear “I did nothing wrong”. How many is it now?I believe 18 that are involved in scandals?)

Quote By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help that would never otherwise have occurred... Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it."

(I agree, Bush has begun it, he has committed himself, and you better believe all sorts of things have occurred, but not to help but to destroy. Destroyed our sense of strength as a nation, destroyed our faith and trust in our government, Destroyed our integrity in the eyes of the world.)

Ron McBride
netquest@shawneelink.net
Join WeDemocrats at: http://dfalink.com/group.php?id=2043

National Political Organization Headquartered in Johnson County, IL

WeDemocrats an independent political group, which finds, trains, and supports fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates at all levels of office across the country. They claim to harness the power of an enormous grassroots network to get these candidates elected and to work towards positive change from the bottom up.

“Our goal is to educate the American public about the disastrous record of the current Republican Government, and to create a positive issue environment for the success of a progressive agenda”, said Ron McBride, founder and organizer of the organization.

“Despite the fact that a significant majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the current direction of the country, the Republican leadership in Washington continues to pursue and enact a right wing, special interest agenda, contrary to the wishes and expectations of their constituents.” McBride said.

“In 2006, WeDemocrats’ objective is to shine the spotlight on Republican members of Congress, through aggressive advocacy campaigns aimed at educating and informing the public about these members' voting records, issue positions and ethical behavior.” He continued.

Inspired by the presidential campaign of Howard Dean, and his Democracy for America, WeDemocrats was formed as a political action committee as well as a coalition of progressive groups, dedicated to supporting fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government—from school board to the presidency.

WeDemocrats is new, they began as a local group that within months became statewide in Illinois, then others, mainly members of Democracy for America, the grassroots organization began by Gov. Howard Dean began joining, so membership was opened to DFA members on Oct. 5th, 2006. Democracy For America (DFA) is now headed by, Gov. Dean’s brother Jim Dean, while the Governor is now head of the Democratic National Committee.

Three weeks after starting, the group now has 750+ members in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The National Steering Committee is projecting over 1,000 members by Election Day November 7th.

“DFA has 886 chapters in all states and D.C.”, said McBride, “but there are over 3,000 counties in the United States. WeDemocrats will be electing County Coordinators in each county, and State Coordinators in each State, giving us the ability to coordinate between the educational endeavors of DFA and the Democratic Party.”

WeDemocrats is headquartered in Simpson, Johnson County, Illinois. Join WeDemocrats at: http://dfalink.com/group.php?id=2043

Contact:
Ron McBride
netquest@shawneelink.net

Time and again, voters in Johnson County have proven that when a politician in office, isn’t doing his job right, that they will remove him from that office, even if it means voting for the other party.

When Glenn Poshard ran for Governor, Johnson County, which is about 80%, Republican voted an overwhelming 94% for the Democratic Candidate Poshard. When two former States Attorney’s failed in their posts, they were dumped by the voters of Johnson County by 4 to 1 and even 5 to 1 margins.

Johnson County is a rural county; therefore everyone assumes that in the upcoming Congressional race in IL-19 that it will vote overwhelmingly for John Shimkus. But from talking to others in and around the County, I am not so sure. Danny Stover is the Democratic Candidate for the IL-19 seat, and he is not only a down home boy, he is accessible and well liked where ever he goes.

Shimkus a multi millionaire, who holds a 10 to one advantage over Stover in his war chest, has ignored many in this district, favoring the East Metro area over the more rural areas, he uses his millions and connection to the Republican power elite in Washington to stay in office.

Shimkus who is under fire for the alleged cover up of the Mark Foley sex scandal in Washington, who had a lobbyist on his staff as his campaign PAC manager, who has taken huge donations from Big Power companies in support of their ridiculous attempt to raise the electric rates that you and I have to pay, some are reporting 30-50% increase in your light bill. In 1998 Shimkus received a large donation from Stuart Levine the indicted Businessman.

Levine whose appointment is being blamed on Rod Blagojevich, but who is a large Republican contributor and has been for years. Levine was Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan’s largest contributor and, over the years, mightily pumped up Lee Daniels campaign funds. Looking at only state campaign contributions, Illinois media tagged Levine as a major Republican contributor.

Look I don’t care if you are a Democrat or a Republican, when it comes time to vote, just do it. Vote for the best man or woman for the job, not because he or she is a Republican or Democrat.

Why do we all Democrat and Republican vote for Elry a Republican as Sheriff election after election? Because he is the best man for the job. Why vote for Danny Stover a Democrat in this upcoming election for Congressman from the 19th District of Illinois? Because he is the best man for the job.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch and the Springfield State Journal, and many other papers and media have endorsed Stover for Congress after meeting with both candidates and discussing the issues. Why? Because as they say he is the best man for the job.

Ron can be reached at: netquest@shawneelink.net
http://dfalink.com/group.php?id=2043