Strange Bedfellows: Head of the Banking Committee, Chris Dodd was the top recipient of political contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And . . .
. . . according to a report from the Center for Responsive Politics, John Kerry came in second and Barack Obama, third. BUT if you figure that Obama has only been in serious politics for about half the number of years served by Dodd and Kerry — wouldn’t that put him on top of the list?
And now comes along Bill Clinton who says the Democrats are partially responsible for the Fannie and Freddie mess. Here is the link Bubba Says Dems Share Blame
Off to Washington goes John McCain and the darts are flying. But let’s step back a bit and look at the problem from another perspective. If a major financial crisis was taking place in your own family — and you might be called upon to take over the family finances — would you:
- Sit it out and say, “I have more important things to do?”
- Would you want to participate in the outcome?
- Would you want to be there to just sit and listen and watch the dynamics?
- Would you trust to hear about the deal-making and results second hand?
If there is a chance you might be the next president and inherit the mess, you might want to there — particularly if you are being accused on being on the side of the family that is being targeted for creating the mess. (John McCain must be sending roses to Bubba tonight.)
EYES AND LIES: You want to be there for the family crisis. And in politics, you definitely want to see the whites of your friends’ eyes, your foes’ eyes. You want to see the smirks, the facial expressions, and assess the body language.
There are two links here: One from a former FBI agent who tells how to interpret body language and lies. Another from the Center for Responsive Politics.
A TAKER’S LIST: Recipients of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac political contributions: Open Secrets
BODY LANGUAGE AND LIES: There is a slide presentation from former FBI agent Joe Navarro presented by the WashingtonPost.com called Every body’s talking. The article has an embedded slide show presentation called “What We Say Without Words.” It is crystal clear.
Those critical of anyone’s efforts to help solve the financial mess should stop the finger pointing and roll up their sleeves. Every time you point a finger at another — three fingers point back to you!
Of course, those of you who know that I don’t own a television are saying, “What does she know about this?” And I will tell you. Very little. I just know that sometimes in life being there and listening is more valuable than interpreting someone else’s interpretation.
Whichever candidate inherits this financial nightmare will be the wiser for participating in history unfolding.
Copyright 2008 Rita Watson