So much for the new transparency and openness she promised. So much for the pledge not to cater to hometown interests, to actually do a national agenda. So much for being above reproach. Yep, it appears Nancy Pelosi is a big tuna helper. No, really. She added to the minimum wage bill passed this week that American Samoa not be required to raise its wages. Why, are the people on American Samoa not worthy of this great and mighty "benefit to the working poor?" I mean, you thought it bad on the mainland, but in American Samoa, the MW is about $3.62/hour. Well, it turns out that Ms. Bullwhip was catering to her pals at DelMonte, who own Starkist Tuna, which has a huge tuna plant where? Yep, on American Samoa. And where is DelMonte based? San Francisco. And who represents San Francisco? Yep, Madame Bullwhip Botox herself. Nice to know Dems can't wait a week of their leadership before cutting questionable deals. Here is more from the Charlotte Business Journal:
Republican Congressman John Shadegg is criticizing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats for exempting American Samoa and its tuna canneries from the House of Representatives' recently passed minimum wage increase.
Del Monte Foods Co. (NYSE:DLM) subsidiary Starkist Tuna employs three-fourths of the work force in American Samoa. Del Monte is based in San Francisco, Pelosi's home district.
The minimum wage is $3.62 per hour in American Samoa, and would remain so under the bill, Shadegg said. The House bill, which would raise the U.S. minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour, did include the Northern Marana Islands.
Shadegg said the Samoan/Starkist exemption is fishy.
"Simply put: It is unethical to provide a special benefit to a company in any member of Congress' hometown," he said. "For Democrats to act in such a manner so early on in their tenure is hypocritical at best, and criminal at worst," said Shadegg.
In other words, Mr. Shadegg, typical liberal Democrat.
FISHY UPDATE: As of 12 noon, Fox News has reported that Nancy Pelosi is going to seek to take out the exemption on American Samoa. They had her saying, 'we are going to make sure it applies in all territories of the United States' (well, now we will, since you damn bloggers and Republicans and media didn't let me get away with it...stupid conservatives!)
For More Info and Views, check out these links:
Human Events
Powerline
Newsbusters
ANGRY SAMOANS UPDATE: It appears that the Samoans Aren't too Pleased with Speaker Pelosi...uh oh, a minority group that isn't happy with the Dems.
Author's Postscript
Matt, you can be proud I didn't use some of the headlines I thought of...
Nancy Smells Like Tuna
I sense something Fishy coming from the Speaker
Is She really Daisy Fresh?
There is Something Fishy in the Speaker's Office, and It Ain't in Nancy's Slacks
See, I like to help out from time to time..... :)
