21st Century: Query 54 (David Plouffe and Tony Hayward)
From David Plouffe, Organizing for America , in a June 18, 2010, email to the webmaster: When BP CEO Tony Hayward testified before Congress [on June 17, 2010], many expected to hear him apologize for the disaster his company has caused. Instead, GOP Congressman Joe Barton was the one saying he was sorry – to BP. In his opening statement, Barton, the top Republican on the committee overseeing the oil spill and its aftermath, delivered a personal apology to the oil giant. He said the $20 billion fund that President Obama directed BP to establish to provide relief to the victims of the oil disaster was a “tragedy in the first proportion.” Many Republicans, who are adamantly pro-business, agree with Congressman Barton’s assessment. What do you think? Should foreign corporations who do business in the U.S. be given a “pass” when their equipment fails and threatens the livelihood of U.S. citizens, or should they be financially responsible for their mistakes? Why or why not?