Paul Ryan has a terrible record as a Congressman. I can’t for the life of me understand how anyone can support a guy who’s been wrong on so many important issues, such as voting for the Iraq War and the banker bailouts, jus to name a few.
Which is why no one should be surprised that the useless cadre of Republicans in the House of Representatives are about to make him Speaker. The transition from John Boehner should be flawless.
Of course, Mr. Ryan is already showing his true colors, by naming veteran David Hoppe as his Chief of Staff. Mr. Hoppe has been quite busy over the past few years, lobbying for debacles such as Obamacare and Obamatrade (the TPP). This should leave no doubt as to who this guy actually works for (Hint: not the American people).
From the Intercept:
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the Washington Post reports, is preparing to hire David Hoppe, a veteran lobbyist, to manage his office, “should Ryan be elected House speaker this week, as is widely expected.”
While Ryan cited Hoppe’s “passionate commitment to conservative principles” as the reason for selecting him as chief of staff, Hoppe has a long history of helping clients advance policy issues considered anathema by grassroots conservative activists. And in some cases, Hoppe helped clients back legislation fiercely opposed by Ryan.
Just this year, for instance, Hoppe helped Ford Motor Company lobby in support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a controversial trade agreement that faces mounting opposition.
In the past, Hoppe has been registered to work on implementation issues for the Affordable Care Act, in support of President Obama’s stimulus program, and to help pass immigration reform.
In 2009, Hoppe helped the Chamber and the U.S. Telecom Association lobby in support of the stimulus. After the program was signed into law, he continued helping firms seeking stimulus funding, including BNSF, AT&T, and Verizon.
While outright opposition to the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, has become a litmus test in Republican primary elections, Hoppe has taken a more proactive approach as a lobbyist for various healthcare interests. He worked on behalf of Virtua Health, a New Jersey company that serves Medicaid patients, on ACA implementation. The AARP, one of the largest groups to help press for passage of Obamacare, was represented during and after the health reform debate by QGA when Hoppe was president of the firm.
Like many lobbyists, Hoppe has moved back and forth between government, think tanks and K Street.
Hoppe worked for a number of Republican lawmakers, including former Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., before taking his first lobby job at Quinn Gillespie Associates in 2005. He returned to the Hill work for Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., in 2011, before leaving again for the lobbying industry in 2013.
Thanks for playing suckers.
For related articles, see:
New Gallup Poll – 75% of Americans See Widespread Government Corruption
Former Senator Opines on the Incredible Corruption in America and the Fourth Branch of Government
Kentucky Politician Files Lawsuit Claiming a First Amendment Right to Accept Bribes
In Liberty,
Michael Krieger