So, naturally, they are trying to suppress it – Ed Morrissey notes:
Mark Tapscott notices an interesting blog post by Norman Eisen, who works for Barack Obama as Special Counsel to the President on Ethics and Government Reform. Anticipating a deluge of criticism over the thus-far ineffectual spending plan, Eisen has a straightforward plan to deal with criticism. He’ll simply use the power of the federal government to silence it. Problem solved!
“First, we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists. For the first time, we will reach contacts not only by registered lobbyists but also by unregistered ones, as well as anyone else exerting influence on the process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique circumstances of the stimulus program. [emphasis mine — Ed]
Second, we will focus the restriction on oral communications to target the scenario where concerns about merit-based decision-making are greatest –after competitive grant applications are submitted and before awards are made. Once such applications are on file, the competition should be strictly on the merits. To that end, comments (unless initiated by an agency official) must be in writing and will be posted on the Internet for every American to see.
Third, we will continue to require immediate internet disclosure of all other communications with registered lobbyists. If registered lobbyists have conversations or meetings before an application is filed, a form must be completed and posted to each agency’s website documenting the contact.
For years we were told that dissent was the highest form of patriotism…apparently, the highest form in 2009 is slavish devotion to the Obamunist party line. Who is an “unregistered lobbyist”? Who is “exerting influence”? Well, my friends, that is you and me – and anyone else the White House doesn’t want mouthing off on the Spendulus program. We’re now shut out – unless we first fill out a form…the White House doesn’t have to fill out a form before commenting on us “unregistered lobbyists”, but we have to fill out a form for them to post on the web. Meanwhile, the CEO of GE – who is well connected to the White House – just what form do you think he’ll be expected to fill out? Only the one detailing how much money he’ll donate in 2012.
Obama and Co are trying to carefully script the whole thing. They have to, you see? When you’ve promised to “save or create” x number of jobs, provide health care for all Americans, reduce the deficit, win the war and a host of other things, you can’t afford to have a free flow of information…that would get tricky and might allow the truth to come out. And we can’t have that, now can we? I mean, if the truth comes out, Obama might lose in 2012, and how would that help Obama?
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