Hi

One guy from a coalition Jubilee 2000 came to talk to a Congressman and said: There was one Southern Congressman who refused to look me in the eye and said: "Everybody's looking at me like I'm Scrooge, but this money's going down a rat hole. You'll be just buying more gold taps and Gulf streams for tinpot dictators. I'm trying to stop you but I can't get people on my side they have one drink with you and they roll me. You expect me to sit here and smile at you?" In the end that particular Congressman became an advocate.



What about "gold taps and Gulf streams"? Does "tap" has got something to do with "sinks" here? I know what "Gulf stream" is (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream), but why he's mentioning that?

"they roll me" - does it mean that people keep coming to him and he's got to deal with them and he doesn't want it?



I suppose the last sentence says that although he didn't like the Jubilee's 2000 idea he supported them in the end, right?

The speaker is actually referring to a different kind of gulf stream -- he's talking about Gulfstream jets, which are often purchased by the very wealthy.  He seems to be saying that the money wouldn't be used for what it was intended for.  Rather, it would just help the rich get richer, allowing them to buy decadent things like real gold fixtures for their bathrooms and private planes.

The expression 'roll me' used in this way means to take advantage of someone not really able to resist.  It's from the expression 'roll a drunk,' which refers to stealing things off of someone who is passed out from drinking.  So, he thinks people are trying to take advantage of him.

That's my interpretation, at any rate -- hope it helps!