Where are the lobbyists for Toursim, Fishing, Boat Mfg and the rest?

[Vinnie From Indy]

While it seems evident that the average American today has no real representation in government and the real power lies solely with the corporate interests that have gamed the system, one would think that even in this climate there would still be checks on the rapacious greed of companies like BP. For example, I find it astonishing that the fishing industry, tourism industry and all the other industries that are and will be effected by this spill would have not fought harder to protect their livelihoods when the US Govt. was deregulating the offshore oil industry. Where were they when regulations were relaxed a few years back? Were they completely oblivious to potential dangers to their industries? Surely they understand now that it was never environmentalists that were there enemy, it was the oil/gas industry.

Further, where are the lobbyists for the fishing industry and tourism industry now? Are the members of the associations that represent these groups in Washington experiencing any backlash from their members for not protecting them?

Not only have the fisherman, hotel owners and the rest been betrayed by state and local governments, they appear to have been poorly represented by their own associations and lobbyists.

[jtrockville]

1. Wherever they are, they should contact Mary Landrieu.

She said if they stopped drilling for oil, they'd lose jobs.

Pssst... Mary... drilling for oil is responsible for the loss of jobs in entire industries. I guess oil industry jobs are the only ones worth protecting? You'd rather have rescue/disaster jobs than fishing/tourism/etc?

[uponit7771]

2. I'd be pissed, the "mud" alone is smells like dead animal. If the coast recovers any time soon we'll

[leveymg]

3. Recreation boating group is BoatUS, Alexandria, VA - call them

[phone] - Their press and public affairs office has shown some interest in the subject, but not much. http://www.boatus.com/

[Dappleganger]

4. They're still stunned that Big Oil lied to them.

Or in denial.