[R-390] The politics of BPL

[Bob Camp]

Hi

One way or the other it's the power companies that are going to make 
the money on BPL. They are a highly regulated industry. Their profit 
and loss hinges on all kinds of tiny little changes on the part of 
state and federal regulators.

Like anybody else in that position they spend a lot of money on 
lobbying. I suspect they also contribute a bit to the candidates 
directly. They have to stay on good terms with the government or they 
are out of business.

When they decide to turn those same lobbying skills to something like 
BPL, well welcome to the result. That's why I'm not totally sure just 
who in which parties is sold or not sold on this little deal. It's 
obvious who a few of the buy in folks are, but not who all of them are.

We find our selves in a mode where some form of action seems to be 
required. However I totally agree that turning this into a branch of 
the Presidential election campaign is not a good idea.

What I'm suggesting is that a lot more than just the President is 
getting elected this year. Regardless of who you prefer to vote for in 
your local elections make them aware of what you think about BPL. If 
they support your position so much the better. If they do not support 
your position then at least weigh that along with everything else when 
you consider who to vote for. Making this an absolute test is not 
realistic. A lot of things go into any decision about who to vote for. 
At least know where your local representative stands on the issue ...

	Take Care!

		Bob Camp
		KB8TQ




On Jul 11, 2004, at 3:51 PM, Cecil Acuff wrote:

> Group,
>
>         I have been copying the mail on this one for quite a while now 
> and
> times before...
>
> Don't let this issue cloud your decision making when choosing your
> Presidential candidate this fall....
>
> Four yeas ago we hadn't even heard of BPL and four years from now it 
> may be
> gone....but there are many more issues that come with the choosing of a
> Presidential candidate that could be more profound.
>
> I'll not attempt to campaigned for either but say that BPL was no more 
> the
> brain child of the current administration than it was your local 
> Utility
> company.  Both of which have been sold this load of crap by highly paid
> folks that just do their jobs well.  They both (Gov. and the Utilities)
> believe they are making the right decision based on the information 
> they
> have been given.(and yes it's driven by economics....if you were 
> driving a
> huge investor owned corp. you would be too.)