Senator Bob Menendez went there. He challenged Secretary of State nominee, Rex Tillerson on his company’s unpatriotism and selfishness.
Senator Bob Menendez confronts Rex Tillerson
Senator Bob Menendez pointed out to Rex Tillerson that corporations like Exxon Mobil operate onto themselves without regards U.S. wishes. It does not matter to them that America declares states sponsors of terrorism.
“You lobbied against the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act which I was the author of,” Bob Menendez said. “You reportedly under Exxon Mobil wanted to eliminate secondary sanctions that would prevent joint ventures. This makes sense as in 2003 and 2004 and 2005 you were engaged to a subsidiary company and businesses in countries who the United States listed as state sponsors of terrorism, including Iran, Syria, and the Sudan; countries that except for the maneuver of your subsidiary, Exxon Mobil could not have been dealing with. Exxon Mobil is listed as a coalition member of USA Engage, an advocacy group that lobbies against sanctions. This group also lobbied against sanctions including against Iran and applauded the passage of the joint comprehensive plan of action.
Senator Menendez then proved that corporations like Exxon Mobil care nothing about patriotism. Even as America was trying to create a national peace in Iraq, Exxon Mobil proceeded to make deals that only took their own interest into account.
“So my question is with that as a history,” Senator Menendez stated. “With the work that you did in the spring of 2011, where you oversaw an Exxon Mobil deal with Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq. After the United States government expressly did not want to see that happening, fearing a deal would undermine the U.S. policy of one Iraq, and lead the country closer to civil war, what message are you now going to be able to send to American businesses who are intent on pursuing their own interest at the expense of U.S. policies and potential political stability in foreign countries. How are you going to recalibrate your priorities as Secretary of State whose shareholders are the American people and their security and their interests?”
After a back and forth on sanctions and lobbying, Tillerson gave the proper answer. The genuineness of his answer will always be in question given his past.
“My pivot now,” Rex Tillerson said. “If confirmed to be Secretary of State will have one mission only. And that is to represent the interest of the American people.”
Recently Rachel Maddow exposed Rex Tillerson for his disrespect for his country at a meeting in Russia. Some may want to forgive businesses for the selfish stance of solely safeguarding profit maximization for the shareholder. Unfortunately, that is not only selfish and unpatriotic; it makes corporations parasites. After all, our people fight and pay for the defense and wars that enable them to do business. The sheer power of the United States allows these corporations the gravitas needed to have international contracts. Many foreign entities adhere to these contract many times because of the consequences of defying Americans.