Tom Steyer Vs The Koch Bros.

George Soros has bankrolled one liberal project after another.  His projects include launching a de facto effort to eliminate the American Electoral College.  And, of course, let's not overlook the  project that led to the establishment of J Street. How little attention the American press pays him and his involvement in these efforts.

The Koch brothers however are written about incessantly.  Imagine the nerve of these billionaire brothers to be funding the campaigns of those individuals they'd like to see get elected!

Oprah Winfrey was one of Holiwood's major financial supporters of Obama.  There was an occasional mention during the campaign, but little else.

Now, we have a new name, Tom Steyer.  This billionaire environmental extremist has promised $100 million to support the campaigns of Democratic candidates opposing the Keystone XL pipeline.
No one is arguing that Mr. Steyer does not have the right to spend his money in this way.  No doubt, Robert Redford and other supporters of the Green Movement are delighted.  They, in every likelihood, have added a few dollars to Steyer's cause.

But here's the problem:  A. The XL pipeline is a shovel-ready works project that would cost the government (American tax payers) zero dollars.  B.  The sand oil that American economists would love to see being refined in American facilities and sold by Americans to domestic and overseas customers will leave Canada. one way or another.  The only question is whether the oil will go to American facilities or to Chinese facilities via Canada's west coat ports.  C. Canadian tar sand is already being shipped in some amounts to southern refineries, by rail.  But, the XL pipeline would be cheaper and safer. D. The energy extracted from Canadian tar sands would be one more source of fuel.   In a small way it would contribute to the world's energy supply which would hopefully have a depressing effect on the price of Russian oil and gas, one of Russia's few exportable products.

Republican legislators understand the value that the XL pipeline offers this country.  So do a number of Democrats.  These Democrats include the following:

Mark Begich, Alaska
Mark Udall, Colorado
Mary Landrieu, Louisiana

These Democratic politicians would profit quite directly from the XL pipeline.  But, many  Democrats, not as directly affected by Obama's delaying action on this project, can easily see the merit of this pipeline.  So where are we?  We're watching a Democratic president who favors taking a $100 million-dollar, political payoff rather than doing what's in the best interest of Americans.