Gas Guzzlers

Two older, not very fuel efficient, outdated models were taken off the showroom floor, but it is not what you may think. Okay, I am being sarcastic, but it is not far from the truth. The first gas guzzler was Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Stevens is 85 years old and the longest running Republican in the senate. He was indicted last summer on seven felony counts of failing to disclose gifts that he received from an oil services company. He gave his last ever Senate floor speech today, bidding farewell to his colleagues and the chamber he has served in since 1968. Below is a video of portions of his final speech on the Senate floor:

The second change was really not a discontinuation, but more of a decrease in production. Democrats voted 137-122 by secret ballot today for California Rep. Henry A. Waxman to replace veteran John Dingell as House Energy and Commerce Chairman. Dingell has chaired that committee since 1981. Dingell was born in 1926 and is the second longest serving member all-time of the House of Representatives and the fourth longest serving member of Congress ever. The three largest contributors to his campaign for the 2006 election cycle were political action committees, employees, or other affiliates of General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler. Since 1989, these corporations have contributed more than $600,000 to his campaign. Currently, Dingell's wife is a senior executive at General Motors and vice chair of the General Motors Foundation. This is what columnist Thomas Friedman recently wrote about Dingell:

"The blame for this travesty not only belongs to the auto executives, but must be shared equally with the entire Michigan delegation in the House and Senate, virtually all of whom, year after year, voted however the Detroit automakers and unions instructed them to vote. That shielded General Motors, Ford and Chrysler from environmental concerns, mileage concerns and the full impact of global competition that could have forced Detroit to adapt long ago. Indeed, if and when they do have to bury Detroit, I hope that all the current and past representatives and senators from Michigan have to serve as pallbearers. And no one has earned the “honor” of chief pallbearer more than the Michigan Representative John Dingell, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who is more responsible for protecting Detroit to death than any single legislator."

Here is a campaign ad for Dingell paid for by Michigan car manufacturers: