Is Hollywood Bribing Congress?

Dear Madame L,

After you mentioned those "SOPA" and "PIPA" bills, I signed the petitions against them. But now I hear that Chris Dodd, the former senator who now works for the entertainment industry, is threatening less support for Democratic Party election campaigns than in the past.

Is it true that the Democrats will founder without Hollywood support?

Sincerely,

Not a Fan Anyway, But Just Wondering

Dear Not a Fan,

Madame L thinks that Mr. Dodd made a huge mistake by threatening to cut donations for members of the Democratic Party because they voted against SOPA and PIPA.

In fact, he has been accused of attempted bribery, and a website has been created inviting people to sign a petition to have him investigated.

According to the petition writers, "Recently on FOX News former Senator Chris Dodd said (as quoted on news site TechDirt), 'Those who count on quote 'Hollywood' for support need to understand that this industry is watching very carefully who's going to stand up for them when their job is at stake. Don't ask me to write a check for you when you think your job is at risk and then don't pay any attention to me when my job is at stake.' This is an open admission of bribery and a threat designed to provoke a specific policy goal. This is a brazen flouting of the 'above the law' status people of Dodd's position and wealth enjoy.

"We demand justice. Investigate this blatant bribery and indict every person, especially government officials and lawmakers, who is involved."

You can sign this petition, but Madame L warns you, as the petition website itself does: "Note: When you sign this petition, your first name, last initial and city and state will be publicly displayed on the petition page. Once you sign a petition, your signature cannot be removed."

Madame L acknowledges that Dodd was just doing the job he's getting paid an incredibly huge (think 1 percent) salary to do: to lobby for Hollywood, as CEO at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). But Madame L thinks he was not as subtle as he should have been----nowhere near as subtle, for example, as Newt Gingrich was, when he was being paid millions of dollars to lobby for Freddie and Fannie under the guise of providing them with his historical expertise.

Here's Mr. Dodd's defense of the proposed legislation. (Madame L is not impressed.)  Here's the Wikipedia page with information about the proposals. And here's a list of Members of Congress with their positions on the proposals.

Madame L predicts we're far from seeing the end of this battle.

Best wishes,

Madame L