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| B. Mark Rogers |
Rogers, the president of the National Auctioneers Association, is defending Congressman Long while forgetting to tell Joplin readers Billy Long was basically paid in the form a campaign contribution to "drop the bill."
Let's first look at the speech Long gave on the House floor:
Then let's look at what Mr. Rogers of the National Auctioneers Association left out of his letter to the editor of the Joplin Globe:
While Billy Long’s speech in Congress last week didn’t “sit right” with the Globe’s editorial board (April 16), their comments didn’t “sit right” with auctioneers.
To the board, “it was the principle of the whole thing” that led them to question Long’s leadership when recognizing the auction industry and promoting National Auctioneers Day. An auctioneer by trade, Billy honored his profession like many other elected officials before him who’ve supported their profession.
Constituents should be proud to have a citizen legislator like Billy looking out for their interests in Washington. Who better to shrink the size of government, eliminate wasteful spending and pay off the national debt than an auctioneer? For over 30 years, Billy turned assets into cash at auction. Let’s put Billy to work and auction Washington’s waste and put that money back where it belongs, the taxpayer’s pocket.
Auctions and auctioneers have existed for more than 2,000 years. Auctioneering is the last bastion of the free market enterprise system. Auctioneers were instrumental in the formation of commerce and the establishment of trade when civilized nations first emerged. It was the competitive bidding process created by early auctioneers that drives the global economy today and continues to be used to establish fair market value for stocks, bonds and commodities. In the United States, auctioneers sell approximately a quarter-trillion dollars worth of assets every year and generate millions in tax revenue.
Auctioneers are far more than fast talkers. We're professional problem solvers, and countless businesses and individuals utilize our professional services every day to assist them. As one of the few remaining friends and financial supporters of print advertising, auctioneers were hurt by your editorial. Dishonoring an honorable profession and industry in the face of rising ad rates makes it even more difficult to continue our support. After all, “it’s the principle of the whole thing.”
Thank you, Congressman Long, and have a happy National Auctioneers Day!
B. Mark Rogers
President, National Auctioneers Association
Overland Park, Kan.
Shame on you Mr. Rogers for not admitting you bought our Congressman to promote your industry in Congress. You want to discuss principle while leaving out one important fact--the $5000 in campaign contributions given to Congressman Long, which Long admitted your office called him asking him to "drop the bill."
As well, Congressman Long wasn't looking out for our interests in the Seventh District. He was looking out for your interests Mr. Rogers. Can your response to the Joplin Globe be anymore dishonest?
Mr. Rogers is further proof you should be careful about believing what an auctioneer says.
