Reply #11: You Nailed It!

[terrapinwelcher]

Bush/Cheney and Halliburton are no different than Obama and BP. Reuters just put out an article that Obama has been BP's candidate of choice for political contributions. I swear that I get so disillusioned sometimes. I really hoped that we would be witnessing real and monumental change, but it appears to be more of the same old crap and political ties to crony capitalists. What saddens me is that most of my progressive brethren are turning a blind eye to the fact that Obama is acting just like the previous eight years of horror show that we suffered through. And yet when someone like you posts about it, the majority on this board remains silent. If all we do is say "Our guy good -- Your guy bad", how are we different than the repugs? Seriously people, whatever happened to principles? It's nothing but fricking blood money.

BP and its employees have given more than $3.5 million to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with the largest chunk of their money going to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Donations come from a mix of employees and the company's political action committees - $2.89 million flowed to campaigns from BP-related PACs and about $638,000 came from individuals.

On top of that, the oil giant has spent millions each year on lobbying — including $15.9 million last year alone — as it has tried to influence energy policy.

During his time in the Senate and while running for president, Obama received a total of $77,051 from the oil giant and is the top recipient of BP PAC and individual money over the past 20 years, according to financial disclosure records.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64420A20100505