The American Spectator

RESOURCE CURSE
Re: George H. Wittman’s Ghana’s Oil Bonanza Battle:

At first glance, the promise of Ghana’s impending oil boom paints a picture of a country with everything to gain. But as Mr. Wittman rightly stated, when oil arrives on the scene, things can get complicated quite quickly. Ideally, the anticipated oil revenues are the pathway out of poverty for the 80 percent of Ghanaians living on $2 per day. However, this never came to fruition in oil-rich countries like Nigeria and Angola where billions have been squandered and mismanaged. Ghana runs the risk of following the same path — one that does not lead to citizens benefiting from resource revenues.

This time around, for the oil boom to fulfill its potential in Ghana, transparency and accountability by both the government and oil companies are essential. If this industry is to work for Ghana, President Mills should make good on his March, 2009 pledge to disclose all petroleum contracts. He must insist on transparency from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and other government institutions.

And for their part, companies operating in Ghana and elsewhere should disclose the payments they make to host governments. The US Congress can help foster an environment of accountability by introducing and passing mandatory payment disclosure legislation, which would require major oil and mining companies, including many invested in Ghana, to publish what they pay to host governments. Ghanaian citizens can use this information to hold the government to its reputation for good governance and devote oil revenues to the long-term reduction of poverty.
— Ian Gary
Senior Policy Manager - Extractive Industries
Oxfam America
Washington, D.C.

George H. Wittman replies:
It is my understanding that the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 requires all American corporations operating abroad to file regular reports on their activities. It is the responsibility of local U.S. embassies to report any and all questionable activity on the part of these commercial groups. Legally, therefore, the action that Mr. Gary calls for in his letter is already in place. Enforcement is the issue. This has been true since the Carter Administration. It is worthwhile to note that commercial organizations hardly need to force financial advantage onto host government officials. That there is a lack of appropriate “trickle down” effect bringing economic advancement to the people of the host countries is a matter of poor governance and not commercial exploitation.

TELLING US OUR VALUES
Re: Andrew Cline’s Obama Prepares to Squander Another Year:

Mr. Cline is right on the money.

I’ve been struggling for a while to figure out why I find myself so irritated by the president. I know there are many reasons, but I was curious as to the root cause of my irritation. Leave it to Mr. Obama himself to assist me in finding the cause. He said in his ABC interview, “I think we lost some of that sense of speaking directly to the American people about what their core values are and why we have to make sure those institutions are matching up with those values.”

To my mind, this statement represents the full expression of the president’s hubris. I find it insulting that Mr. Obama believes that it is his job to tell us, the American people, what our values are or should be. It is his job to listen to us about our values and to adjust his positions accordingly. The arrogance of the man, his administration, and the radical left from which they come, is nothing short of astounding. They should be removed from office as soon as the electorate has the opportunity.
— Dr. Robert T. Jones IV
Conyers, Georgia

What the nation fails to understand is that Barack Obama’s approach to governing is based upon the Chicago model, a foundation set in stone by the Mayor Daley dynasty. No understanding of Chicago styled politics can be comprehended without first understanding the late author Franz Kafka, novels like The Castle and The Trial. Myth holds that Chicago is a toddling town when in reality it is totalitarian town. The majority of the population is always against the policies and politics of the mayor, but he can care less because he knows better. He must be right, for he is always elected, again and again. The main canon of Chicago politics is that PAYOLA, doled out liberally and in all directions will make everyone happy and everything all right. Mr. Obama proceeds under this illusion. His election begged one basic question: Is Chicago styled politics ready for prime time? Evidently, it is not. At this point, this is what Barack Obama fails “to get.”
— Frank Pulaski

COMEUPPANCE
Re: Jeffrey Lord’s Mom Gets Sick: Why Scott Brown Should Listen to Dr. James Rich:

Mr. Lord gets it right again.

There should be no surprise that Dr. Rich has heard nothing back from the two Senators from Pennsylvania.

I write regularly to both of them. I have even written a couple of times regarding the perception in this country that our elected officials in Washington do not care to listen to us.

Senator Specter has responded with some form letters, and by putting me on his bulk mailing list.