Are Politicians "selling out" the United States by allowing foreigners to purchase portions of our critical infrastructure?
The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them. -- Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
WorldNetDaily is reporting that the Sheikdom of Dubai is planning to acquire 19.9 percent of the Nasdaq and 28 percent of the London Stock Exchange.
The big question: Does this move allow the Arab government and any associated freebooters to gain access to privileged information which may hurt the interests of the United States?
Senator Chuck Schumer, who is openly critical of Republicans and the present Administration, raises important issues by asking Treasury Secretary Paulson:
- "What national security concerns are raised by allowing a foreign government to own U.S. financial exchanges?
- Specifically, with respect to Dubai, are there national security concerns about this particular country's influence or control over a U.S. exchange?
- U.S. exchanges are a critical asset to our national economic infrastructure. What implications would foreign government control or influence have on our economic security?
- U.S. economic security depends on continued competitiveness in a global financial market. What impact will this transaction have on U.S. financial competitiveness?
- If national and economic security concerns can be satisfied, should restrictions be placed on this transaction to limit Dubai's control and influence over U.S. exchanges?"
"The transaction is being made through Borse Dubai, a holding company 100-percent owned by the government of the Emirate of Dubai and controlled by Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the head of the Dubai ruling family."
But is this the right interpretation of the announcement?
According to Reuters...
"Nasdaq and Borse Dubai are teaming up to buy OMX. As part of the deal, Borse Dubai will end up with a 20 percent stake in Nasdaq and Nasdaq will take a strategic stake in Dubai International Financial Exchange, which it said will be rebranded with the Nasdaq name and licensed to use Nasdaq and OMX market technology. Nasdaq will take Borse Dubai’s existing stake in OMX. Borse Dubai will also buy Nasdaq’s 28 percent stake in the London Stock Exchange but will continue with its 230 Swedish crown per share offer for OMX, which values OMX at around $4 billion, while Nasdaq will withdraw its current cash-and-shares bid. 'The combination will create the largest global network of exchanges and exchange customers linked by technology,' said Nasdaq Chief Executive Bob Greifeld."
The second announcement from Reuters makes the transaction appear as if Nasdaq is going "international" and is using a transnational corporation (which happen to be owned by a foreign government) to finance the transaction.
And another player enters the arena...
"Qatar’s state investment fund, the Qatar Investment Authority, promptly responded by buying a 20 percent stake in the London Stock Exchange and urged OMX shareholders to take no action on the Borse Dubai offer pending a further statement."
It appears that another party, Qatar, is also entering the arena to either challenge the deal or to take a portion of the transaction.
And what do the politicians say?
I am amazed that Senator Chuck Schumer was one of the first to stand up to ask questions. So, where are the other politicians?
According to the New York Times:
"As the Bush administration vowed to vigorously review for national security concerns a proposed investment in the Nasdaq Stock Market by a Dubai-controlled exchange, several senior Democrats and Republicans said Thursday that the transaction did not trouble them and predicted it would be approved."
Following the money...
It is important that the those who watch Congress as well as the media scrutinize the lobbying efforts of Dubai and others in this matter. Some of you might recall that former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole has was hired by Dubai Ports World, owned by the United Arab Emirates to lobby Congress for the failed ports deal. And the lobbying was not limited to Republicans. Clinton insiders who serve as principals in The Glover Park Group, Howard Wolfson, Joe Lockhart and Gigi Georges were also said to be lobbying for the ports deal -- at a time when Hillary was openly questioning the transaction.
THIS IS OUR OIL MONEY AT WORK...
Traditionally, Dubai does not have oil of its own and has served for many years as a financial center with few restrictions on the transfer of funds. It is alleged that the Ruler gets 10 - 20 percent of all transactions (depending on size) running through the Kingdom. Thus, when the other Arab entities are engaged in conflict and intrigue, Dubai serves as an Arab Switzerland to serve as a stable financial refuge and a secret and secure base to facilitate all sorts of transactions.
What can YOU do?
Realize that many of our politicians are placing self-interest above the interests of the United States using errors of commission and omission to accomplish their goals of enhancing their personal power, prestige and profits. It is abhorrent to note that disgraced Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham may have been one of the most honest members of Congress -- apparently he was the only one to maintain a written price list of his services and to offer his services to all comers.
Realize that each and every year that the United States falls prey to the leftists and socialists in the environmental movement and does not drill for oil within our sphere of influence or implement a nuclear energy strategy represents more "oil" money which can be used to buy our assets cheaply.
Realize that the Federal Reserve is not doing enough to protect the United States globally against the devaluation of our currency relative to the Euro and other hard currencies. Within the last few days, Canada's dollars have achieved parity with the United States dollar.
We need to elect honest politicians who will protect and serve the United States over selling their influence to the special interests or placing party politics above the safety, security and sovereignty of the United States.
It is simple, read the news -- do your homework and do not vote for any candidate or current politician who is willing to subvert the safety, security and sovereignty of the United States for personal power, prestige or profits.
-- steve
A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…
The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius
References:
WorldNetDaily: Sheikdom shakedown: Dubai moves on Nasdaq
Daily Briefing: Dubai, Nasdaq take on the World|Reuters
Mild Reaction in Capitol to a Dubai Nasdaq Stake|New York Times
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“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS