F. David Shelene

A one time associate with the large Washington based international law firm Kirkland & Ellis, he represented companies against employees most of the time.

His firm's bosses represented large tobacco companies in their fight to keep selling tobacco products to whomever they want, denying any liability for the people who have become addicted and died from smoking.

He represented KENAMERICAN RESOURCES, INC. in their fight against the UNITED MINEWORKERS OF AMERICA when the Mineworkers Union was trying to use Binding Arbitration as a means to settle a dispute. The company had previously agreed to use arbitration, and the court agreed, so they were bound to use it no matter what Mr. Acosta said.

Then he served on the National Labor Relations Board where once again his large corporation mentality could be put to good use to fight against justice for employees.

He firmly believes the Federal Government should not be able to tell states what to do. In other words, he believes the south was right, states rights should be more powerful than a central Government. If we had 50 different governments running the United States with no one Government with the power to make rule, it isn't hard to imagine the chaos that would ensue.

Now that he is the Assistant Attorney General, does anyone really believe he will fight for the rights of the little people now?

He is there for two reasons. First and foremost, he is there to protect the interests of big business and the Republican contributors who have extremely large bank accounts. Second, he is there as a payback for the support he displayed for then Governor Bush is his bid for the White House in 2000.

With appointments like this, it isn't hard to see that the little guy, (and gal,) isn't going to get a fair shake for a very long time.