Well that was fast ...

posted by The Vidiot @ 10:00 AM Permalink

Last Friday:

Dennis Hastert, demanding yet another round of investigations into "price gouging" and "windfall profits," and labeling as "unconscionable" the pay package of Exxon Mobil's former chairman.

Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee called the proposal "a bold package that will give consumers some relief" from gasoline prices that have passed $3 a gallon in many parts of the country.

"We are going to ease the burden," added Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., at a GOP news conference unveiling the measures. Frist said he hopes for a Senate vote Tuesday.

"The American consumer is the one that needs the break today, and we need to be taking steps to make sure that they aren't emptying their wallet every time they fill their tank," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.

Today:

Republicans Drop a Tax Plan After Businesses Protest

Senate Republicans on Monday hurriedly abandoned a broad tax proposal opposed by the oil industry and business leaders, another sign of their struggle to come up with an acceptable political and legislative answer to high gasoline prices.

Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee, the majority leader, said he had decided to jettison the provision, which would have generated billions of dollars by changing the way businesses treat inventories for tax purposes. Instead, he said the Senate Finance Committee would hold hearings on the plan "later this year, so the pluses and minuses of the provision can become well known."

The retreat came after a torrent of objections from business leaders and their advocates, who typically view Republicans in Congress as allies.

How exactly big is 'a torrent?'

By Friday, the wholesalers had mobilized an e-mail campaign that resulted in about 350 letters to the Senate by Monday morning.

Gee, a whole 350 letters from lobbyists count more than the opinions of millions of Americans.

Republicans aren't in bed with Big Bidness, they are on their knees to them.