Report: “Overwhelming” House GOP opposition to stimulus
posted at 1:55 pm on January 28, 2009 by Allahpundit
Remember that poll we took yesterday about how many Republicans would vote for the bill? It’s a sign of how low the base’s expectations are for Congress at this point (and a rare case of the HA readership being as cynical as I am) that fully 52 percent of you thought it’d be 12 or more in the Senate and 25 or more in the House. I can’t believe I’m asking this, but … were we too pessimistic?
Just talked to a very clued-in Republican on the Hill. This person wouldn’t predict a unanimous Republican vote against the Democratic stimulus package, but said there would be “minimal” GOP support of the bill. “I don’t know if it will be unanimous, but Democrats are not going to have the kind of bipartisan support the president was trying to get,” he told me. An “overwhelming” number of Republicans will vote no, he predicted…
It’s also clear that Republicans, battered after big losses in 2006 and even bigger losses in 2008, are finding their feet on this issue. The House leadership is running hard on this, trying to make sure every Republican knows what is in the 647-page bill, and handing out individual analyses to each GOP member of what the bill, if passed, would cost his or her particular congressional district.
It’s going to pass, but the greater the media din about the porkiness of it, the more cover the GOP has to vote a party-line no, obviously. Even Democrats are unhappy:
The bill to be voted on today includes $30 billion for roads and bridges, $9 billion for public transit and $1 billion for inter-city rail — less than 5 percent of the package’s total spending. Administration officials have said they did not push for more infrastructure spending because of concerns about how many projects are “shovel ready” — a view that House members say is held most strongly by Lawrence H. Summers, Obama’s chief economic adviser.
Even though most House Democrats say they will back the plan, many reject the administration’s argument, saying that infrastructure projects could easily be expedited, that the economy will need additional infusions for years to come and that the real reason for shunning infrastructure was to make room for tax cuts. Obama, with a public mandate to do something big, is missing a rare opportunity to rebuild the country, they say.
“Every penny of the $825 billion is borrowed against the future of our kids and grandkids, and so the question is: What benefit are we providing them? What are we doing for the country? It’s the difference between real investment that will serve the nation for 30, 50 years and tax cuts, and that’s a very poor tradeoff,” said Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.).
The White House counters that they can pick up the slack later with regular appropriations bills but Obama’s got the same problem there as he does with TARP II: Once voters gag on this trillion-dollar pill, good luck asking them to swallow much more. Exit question: If the GOP’s defecting en masse, why doesn’t he reinsert the dopey pork about contraception and re-sodding the Mall into the bill and make his base happy? He’ll still pick up a few votes from vulnerable Republicans, for reasons Marc Ambinder (evidently parroting Democratic talking points) explains.
Blowback
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No one in the ranks of the GOP senate will suggest one now, as McConnell has pretty much said he won’t filibuster. A filibuster needs the GOP leadership to lead it. And he won’t. Lead, that is.
Wethal on January 28, 2009 at 3:05 PM
the trillion dollar travesty
the terrible trillion
the taxpayers trillion!!
ginaswo on January 28, 2009 at 3:07 PM
It’s all they got, stand together, vote NO!!! and ready themselves for 2010. I hope they get the message that spending is not going to do anything to fix the economy.
tarpon on January 28, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Most of the press,hollywood,and the entertainment industry that make up Obama’s administration are doing everything they can to cover for this “pay to play” pork boondoggle with the “rebuilding infrastructure” line to “We need to act fast or the economy will tank”.
When only 5% of the bill goes to infrastructure and about 12 cents on the dollar actually goes to stimulus,you have to lie like a car salesman to push this rape of the taxpayer.
Stay strong GOP.Stay strong,vote NO
Let the democrats take responsibility for this pay off for votes scheme.
The banks holding on to their money(massive future losses ahead) instead of using it to unfreeze credit lines combined with massive inflation will be at the “smart ones” feet.
Obama brags that “I won” while his administration continually tells everybody how smart they are.
If history is an accurate indicator,these failed policies of tax and spend will make Obama’s 4 years a strong hard slap of reality instead of the hero worship he gets from the sheep in the press and democratic party.
Unfortunately it is the only way a lot of Americans will see how idiotic and wrong liberal ideology is.
Baxter Greene on January 28, 2009 at 3:10 PM
So this thing can (will) pass without a single GOP vote, right?
aero on January 28, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Only if Obama is willing to stick his neck out. Can anyone tell me when in his entire life did Bambi stick his neck out on anything?
“crickets” …
PackerBronco on January 28, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Trial lawyers enrichment act on Obama’s desk
MB4 on January 28, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Stephanopolous got his marching orders from Rahm this morning.
rockmom on January 28, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Yep. Let ‘em dig their own hole.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 3:16 PM
the stimulus bill is going to happen in one form or another. we can’t control that. we can only control our reaction to it.
ambinder and the others peddling this bullshit about blue state republicans having to vote yes are trying to convince us all that any particular republican who does so will get credit for it in 2010. he won’t. this is a lose lose for any GOPer.
in my office, we have equal numbers of people on either side of the issue. workaday joes are calling against it; those who are calling for it are being made to do so on behalf of their statist institutions, like their union or local entitlement program. NOT A SINGLE PERSON is calling to support it based on their own carefully considered evaluation of the content of the bill and its ability to stimulate the economy. they’re all little pigs at the trough.
this stimulus is a fundamental fight between the power of the individual to create wealth vs. the bureaucratic institution. we all know the answer. i hope our GOP members of congress see the opportunity to show the American people the answer, starting today and continuing in a principled and articulate manner until we get our damn majority back.
gippergal1984 on January 28, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Hah! Just wait until the mortgage bankruptcy bill passes. Anyone with a mortgage who doesn’t hire a lawyer and declare bankruptcy immediately is an idiot. And there goes what is left of the mortgage industry….
rockmom on January 28, 2009 at 3:18 PM
and yes, in response to your question aero, it can pass the house without a single republican and without most of the blue dogs.
gippergal1984 on January 28, 2009 at 3:19 PM
When the bill gets to the Senate, if the GOP doesn’t at least try to stop it with a filibuster then they have no legitimate claim that they opposed it in the strongest terms.
Yes, I understand that some RINO would probably join the Democrats and the bill would pass anyway, but it doesn’t matter. Win or lose, the GOP needs to show they are against this bill in the strongest terms.
Maxx on January 28, 2009 at 3:19 PM
I like Michelle Malkin’s title, “The Generational Theft Act of 2009.” This should be the GOP talking point whenever anyone discusses this atrocity.
rockmom on January 28, 2009 at 3:20 PM
I don’t agree – a filibuster just gives Obama an enemy to campaign against. He is only good when he is campaigning and when he has a foil to campaign against. Republicans should not give him that gift. They should basically boycott this whole process.
rockmom on January 28, 2009 at 3:22 PM
I don’t understand what about our country needs so much ‘rebuilding’? Everyone is trying to get here. We can’t keep people out. It’s pretty good in America. It could be much worse. I wish the government would cut spending.
ThackerAgency on January 28, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Buy gold.
JiangxiDad on January 28, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Only slightly OT:
If the banks are eventually nationalized, will churches be able to borrow money – from the government? I haven’t heard anyone address that one yet, but I think I know the answer: “Maybe, so long as your church doesn’t discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual preference, age, weight, marital status, or tattoos.”
Akzed on January 28, 2009 at 3:36 PM
buy gold, guns & ammo.
kelley in virginia on January 28, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Well, the birth control is out, but apparently $335 MILLION for “STD Prevention” is buried on page 147 of this bill? Seriously?
hollygolightly on January 28, 2009 at 3:37 PM
$646,214 Per Government Job
MB4 on January 28, 2009 at 3:38 PM
With no principled opposition, the Democrats are free to load up every bill with literally trillions of dollars of pork, and we have to shame them and haggle with them to get them to back off just a bit. And then we’re still left with a huge, wasteful and expen$ive crap sandwich.
Now that Democrats run Washington, this is how things will work from now on, so we might as well get used to it. America as we know it will cease to exist in less than a year.
Gird your loins.
UltimateBob on January 28, 2009 at 3:40 PM
And when they collect all that money, we’ll tax them at the top tax rate! I tells you we can’t fail!
Chuck Schick on January 28, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Racist Blasphemer! Bawney Fwank will personally oversee your re-education.
Oldnuke on January 28, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Here’s an idea for a real stimulus package. Instead of giving money to banks to horde, or auto makers to keep running their businesses into the dirt, how about giving the money to the people that will actually spend it. I’m not talking last year’s $600. I’m talking something like 50K per taxpayer, and something like 10K for everyone else. Actually, I would prefer that non-tax payers get nothing, but as we saw before, that’s not “fair”.
This way, the money could be saved, thus helping banks. Or some people would buy cars, helping the auto companies. Or they would buy household stuff, helping Target, Best Buy, and other stores. Small business owners would be able to expand and hire more people.
Yeah, a radical idea.
NCJeff on January 28, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Wow, gippergal! Beautifully put. I’m impressed!
And you work in government? How did someone with your intelligence and insight ever get hired? Government jobs usually tend to go to suck-ups and Obamabots.
UltimateBob on January 28, 2009 at 3:47 PM
I just blasted all of my so called senators
ok their democrats so they dont care what i think anyway
they dont represent me anyway
but i still let them have it with about this vile crap.
jcila on January 28, 2009 at 3:48 PM
They want to spend money on ‘infrastructure’ jobs? Maybe they can start by building and finishing the wall on our southern border!
No talk about that in the bill eh?
Keeping illegals out would do wonders to the healthcare system, make everyones car insurance go down, less crime, less prison population, less money spent on schools, on and on and friggin on…
Seems like that would actually save billions if not hundreds of billions of dollars.
Why can’t politicians ever get it right?
RedbonePro on January 28, 2009 at 3:50 PM
There’s no money in it.
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 3:52 PM
I’ve been contacting my Congress critters to tell them not to support this huge pile of pork, but since that is Boxer and Feinstein in the Senate, I might as well be talking to my cubicle wall. Who are key Republicans who might listen to reason or who are wavering? If I’m going to call, I might as well call someone who would listen.
evergreen on January 28, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Obama doesn’t want the economy to show any marked improvement for some time to come. As with any leftist assault he uses the fear and uncertainty to justify his massive rape of the treasury and his outrageous social programs. By the time people realize how far the hot poker has been inserted into their primary crevice the country will be completely transformed into a pure Marxist state.
rplat on January 28, 2009 at 4:00 PM
You could be talking about Bush and his ‘War On Terror’
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:04 PM
I just called Shelley Berkley’s office She’s not my rep. but she is Steve Wynn’s/Boyd gaming/Harrah’s/ETC. rep.
She is voting for it – my money is not going to Vegas anymore.
These congresspeople need to think about how their vote is going to affect their constituencies – by having taxpayers boycott the districts that vote “yes”.
batterup on January 28, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Excellent, excellent idea.
UltimateBob on January 28, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Only someone with a serious synaptic malfunction could believe that there is a positive correlation between the war on terror and this mindless spending fiasco.
rplat on January 28, 2009 at 4:09 PM
What? The old “Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt” ploy? It’s standard MO for politicians. Don’t be so naive.
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:12 PM
My idea is to have the government pay off everyone’s credit cards. Helps the banks, relieves millions of consumers from crushing debt burdens, and gets people feeling like shopping again. It will even reduce mortgage defaults and foreclosures. It’s amazing how many people now are defaulting on their mortgages so they can keep making their credit card payments. They are using credit cards to buy groceries and gas, and pay bills.
rockmom on January 28, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Been to the World Trade Center lately?
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:17 PM
The Scriptures say that Gold and Silver will eventually become worthless. Buy Platinum.
Maxx on January 28, 2009 at 4:18 PM
I am generally non-partisan, I hate both parties.
My math (correct if wrong, lots of zeros) is 1 trillion/300 million=$3333.33 for each man, woman, person of indeterminate gender, and child in the U.S. My wife and I would receive $6666.66. Could it be SATAN??? Just kidding.
Don’t know about the standard of living in your area, but
~$6700 would certainly stimulate me! Why has no one proposed this? It would be the most populist suggestion yet, and how could anyone be against it? Someone should have the guts to bring such a bill to debate. Would love to here the liberal opposition to it, or both sides opposition really.
riverrat10k on January 28, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Is it a typically American failing to be unable to think in abstractions?
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:20 PM
I notice you didn’t answer the question.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:21 PM
There’s no naïveté here. Now, other than struggling to define a phrase, precisely what is your point?
rplat on January 28, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Well big airplanes flown into buildings full of people is sort of scary. We were all pretty uncertain for a while afterward if there were going to be follow ups. For some time most of us doubted that we would be able to keep ourselves safe from wild eyed zealots just itching to blow themselves up in order to waste a few infidels. Bush didn’t really have to rabble rouse too much, it was sort of the other way around.
The stimulus package on the other hand….I’m not knocking your your statement about standard MO, that’s true. Just think your comparison may be a little off.
Oldnuke on January 28, 2009 at 4:24 PM
OK….I’ll answer your moronic question – not only have I never been to the WTC, I’ve never been to NYC…or NY State….or New England. Is there something I should know about?
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:25 PM
My goodness, somebody’s getting worked up. I was just curious. No, you’re right, Obama’s attempt to scare everyone into accepting his monumental pork package is exactly like Bush’s response to 9/11. Carry on.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Listen you clotheads….since you are all so intellectually stunted to the point where abstraction is beyond you, I’ll spell it out in big crayola letters.
I was NOT saying that the economic ‘stimulus’ bailout boondoggle and the response to 9/11 are equivalent – morally or otherwise.
I WAS abstracting the notion (FUD) that is commonly used as political leverage – “the economic sky is falling” to justify raping the taxpayers, and “the terrorists will get you” to justify unconstitutional encroachments on liberty.
If your lip-trembling sensitivities object to using the holy-god-enshrined-memory of 9/11 as one part of this abstraction – tough shit. I do not suffer from such pathetic squeamishness.
Good grief….I grew up hearing about “dumb yanks”….don’t confirm the bigotry.
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Now our side needs to start putting out a singular marketing message that breaks it down for the public with a few captivating lines. Rinse.Repeat.
moxie_neanderthal on January 28, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Next time, I’ll try to keep everything on a nice straight literal line so you can keep up. Fair enough?
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Boy the Republicans are going to look pretty stupid when that $200 million sod job on the Mall starts yielding grass.
Chuck Schick on January 28, 2009 at 4:32 PM
You are to be commended. Seething provincialism has seldom been quite so tedious.
Oh, and thank you for pointing out that politicians are politicians. Abstractly.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Oh, please don’t. Your abstractions are truly brilliant.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:35 PM
It’s about time.
Johan Klaus on January 28, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Just do your best, it’s all anyone can ask of you.
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Or non sequiturs, those will work too.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Rrrrright…you might want to look that up sometime. All the best.
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Keep in mind that Congressional Democrats have already stolen $5 trillion from millions of Americans via their subprime scam. The marxists have stolen our country out from under our very noses and now they want to fulfil Krushchev’s vow to finally “bury us”… When that happens, what kind of party will the Democrats throw?
jcflindsay on January 28, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Oh, don’t get your pantyhose in a knot, we’ll come over and dump tea in your pond. :-)
Oldnuke on January 28, 2009 at 4:43 PM
You don’t think it was a non sequitur? Then perhaps you could explain how it relates to the conversation. If you think us dumb Yanks can keep up with your superior intellect, that is.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:45 PM
I can’t stop laughing at a limey putting on the tough guy act. It’s like a Monty skit.
ClassicCon on January 28, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Well, you have to keep in mind that he’s speaking abstractly.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Obama will force feed this spending on voters like they were geese being gorged for fois gras. Our country is a goose that lays golden eggs, and he would carve us up like a turkey for his crooked friends on K Street.
chunderroad on January 28, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Have a chat with some WW2 vets about limeys sometime. We aren’t all foppish, soft-handed, simpering wimps….although I agree that this is the shape the UK is taking….which is why some of us leave in disgust and become Americans. The ‘British Bulldog’ and the ‘American Pioneering Spirit’ are practically two sides of the same coin.
LimeyGeek on January 28, 2009 at 4:51 PM
This is all about cover. if the vote was going to be close, the GOP would cave.
okonkolo on January 28, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Even after all of Churchill’s talk about the “War on the Nazis.”
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Good news for a change in the house. Sen Dement from S.C. is trying to mount a Filibuster in the Sen. i have heard.Maybe a lost cause but one can only hope.
thmcbb on January 28, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Bravo! I just called too. We should all call.
bloggless on January 28, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Given my (ahem) uncanny record of being right, it would be a great joy to break the monotony and be really, really wrong on this one.
I was with the 52%, and was disappointed that Allah didn’t give me an even more pessimistic option…
Jaibones on January 28, 2009 at 5:02 PM
NCJeff on January 28, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Several people have proposed suspending federal income and payroll taxes for one year. The total cost would be less than the currently proposed bail out bill.
MarkTheGreat on January 28, 2009 at 5:03 PM
The GOP needs strong, Conservative leadership and the guts to call out those that run from the Party platform, in other words, someone who is willing to put a boot in the asses of those who become RINOs.
Take note Senators Grahamnesty, Snow, Shelby, et al, who voted for that criminal Geitner; say GOODBYE to your Senate seats! You either do what you were voted into office to do, or you are FINI! The same goes for McCain, retire in 2010 or be forced out because REAL CONSERVATIVES are pushing for J.D. Hayworth for your Senate seat and even people from outside of Arizona are going to fund his run to unseat you.
GET THE MESSAGE GOP, WE ARE THROUGH WITH RINOS!
nelsonknows on January 28, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Thus punishing everyone in the country who doesn’t abouse their credit. We have one credit card, and it’s paid off every month.
MarkTheGreat on January 28, 2009 at 5:07 PM
I dunno – I hope so but I feel better. Steve Wynn won’t be getting back the money we won from his beautiful casino… Considering spending some of it in this guy’s districtnext month – skiing in Steamboat, but we’ll see – Salazar’s office says he is undecided.
Shame really, the Wynn was lovely, the dealers and hostesses were fabulous but their Congresswoman is reaching in my pocket & double-dipping. Short-sighted on her part. If she would have pushed for a big tax break I bet Vegas would have filled right up, people would be employed, and tipped generously. But she would rather have unemployment benefits extended for a few months. Okie-dokie.
batterup on January 28, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Is it FUD, when the threat is real?
MarkTheGreat on January 28, 2009 at 5:09 PM
When we see it…we all will know it. I think most GOP’rs realise they aren’t up to the task of upholding the values that have made america what it is.
I dont’ see anyone with the strength of character to do so…except for Palin and she has other challenges.
tomas on January 28, 2009 at 5:09 PM
It’s not what’s there. It’s what used to be there.
Which constitutes evidence that Bush is not using FUD.
MarkTheGreat on January 28, 2009 at 5:11 PM
So far as i have been reading the bill
I have YET to find
ONE ACTUAL project that would create more than 2 or three jobs..
I am sorry (wiring a school for internet) does not take an army of unemployed workers to do..
So again i cant find anything that would create more than a few jobs at best..
this is a GIANT Pork barrel of 1 trillion dollars
Going to EVERY LIBERAL WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA
the only thing they restricted was
Casinos, pools and gambling..
Hmm must not have paid as much to the messia
as ohh say
The Internet PORN industy..
sheesh this is a disaster..
a boondogle
A HOAX
A FRAUD
Crap i am running out of words in the english dictionary to describe this fiasco
jcila on January 28, 2009 at 5:16 PM
No, but see, he was speaking abstractly. That’s how we won WWII, after all.
Jim Treacher on January 28, 2009 at 5:18 PM
I am so sorry but i just figured out why obamas plan isnt popular with the GOP
You see the GOP just bailed out their friends in WALL street and the hedge funds investors..
So when obama came to power he has to do the GOP one better
So i think i know where the money is going
10 billion for condoms
90 billion for birth control
100 billion total
10 billion for abortion clinics in the us
90 billion for overseas abortion clinics (for all the libs)
100 billion total
25 billion for farms without electricity (use cow fart converter technology)
75 billlion for the epa to monitor the cows
100 billion
25 billion for the auto industry cafa standards
75 billion to the states to mandate their own standards
100 billion
25 billion to muslim nations like iran (obama pledged to apologize for the crime of defending ourselves)
75 billion to import all of those homeless terrorists
100 billion to monitor all of the imported islamic terrorists
200 billion
10 billion in more loans to the banks
40 billion to make all the illegals citizens
50 billion to provide homes for all the illegals
10 billion so acorn can register all of them to vote
110 billion
10 billion to rebuild mosques the islamists blew up
90 billion for carpets for all of the muslims
100 billion
total so far 810 billion
and of course
1 billion per state for actual construction projects
which no one knows what they are.
50 billion
860 billion dollars and the actuall ammout of people that will be employed by this
50 million illegals and the 100,000 acorn reps to register them all to vote..
there ya go people
Obams and the dems plan to spend 860 billion
and not create a single REAL job..
But what is funny is
the republicans are pissed because they couldnt divert
some of that money to ohh say
mr madoff..
he needs it badly..
and he didnt contribute to obamas campaign so
tough luck…
jcila on January 28, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Limey, how did Bush encroach on fundamental liberties? Or, more specifically, which of your liberties have been encroached as a direct result of Bush’s response to 9/11?
Keep in mind that those liberties which were already violated (or never existed in the first place) prior to FISA, PATRIOT, etc. do not count.
spmat on January 28, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Oh and since geitner is head of the IRS
I am now thinking of a new career
Becomming a liberal reporter who then cheats on his income tax and then gets appointed to run the irs by the liberals..
I think its totally appropriate..
Since every liberal i have seen
Says ohh we cant FORCE anyone to do whats right..
Ok I want to get in on this action
So i will begin by reporting on the Global warming SCam
Since the gorical didnt include me in on the action
I want to have a law passed by the dems
claiming global warming is a sin
and to make restitution please send a check for 125 pesos
(dollar wont be worht anythythin by the time obamas done)
to me..
Hey at least i will be able to make a living
and then run to mexico..
jcila on January 28, 2009 at 5:30 PM
continuing socialism of america underway
gatorboy on January 28, 2009 at 5:32 PM
thmcbb on January 28, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Where are you getting this info, thmcbb? I had to go out for a couple of hours and just trying to catch up.
P.S. God bless Jim DeMint!!
califcon on January 28, 2009 at 5:32 PM
The Scriptures say that Gold and Silver will eventually become worthless. Buy Platinum.
Maxx on January 28, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Fools.
Buy steel, preferably the kind which just happens to be in the shape of a handgun.
Bishop on January 28, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Had enough. Click here and send your Congressmen a personalized FAX… Tell the to “Stop the Spending”!!
Drew McKissick on January 28, 2009 at 5:34 PM
UltimateBob on January 28, 2009 at 3:47 PM
It’s difficult, Bob. I read books and magazines often to keep my brain from slipping into bureaucrat mode. :)
Seriously, though. The GOP needs to stop getting bullied and stick up for principle. Who gives a darn if the Dems say we don’t care about the ‘working man.’ Bush spent a ton on NCLB, Medicare Part D, PEPFAR, pretty much never vetoed a spending request until after 2006….
And we got no credit for it.
gippergal1984 on January 28, 2009 at 5:35 PM
chunderroad on January 28, 2009 at 4:47 PM
The K Street mention hits the nail on the head. You are on some strong stuff if you think he intends to reduce the influence of lobbyists on our culture one bit. (not that i have a problem with lobbyists)
they may not be registered to lobby….but someone looking to influence a vote up on the Hill has myriad ways to get a big player in the corner doing the work for them, and only a sliver of people and a sliver of methods require actually registering.
gippergal1984 on January 28, 2009 at 5:41 PM
It’s pretty amazing(sadly so) that the only time the republicans act like conservatives is when they are in the minority. As soon as they had the reins of power they became overspending liberals just like the demos.
Corsair on January 28, 2009 at 5:50 PM
You know what’s “shovel ready”? This stimulus bill. Bury it.
BTW, I think I found Obama’s U.K. bundlers. They just need to update the domain name from dot.com to dot.gov.
Buy Danish on January 28, 2009 at 5:50 PM
NO Republican should vote for this “Shovel-Ready Black Hole of Debt”.
onlineanalyst on January 28, 2009 at 6:05 PM
After the TEMS calls [great new format!] today, I had a thought. They are going to do this again and again over the next few months; call it bailout or call it stimulus.
The ‘Misery Index’ is going to come back on nightly reports (ala during Carter) and is going to be so very, very high that even pork recipients are going to vote Republican next time… only partially so they can hang on to the goodies they got this term, at least.
ElRonaldo on January 28, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I hope it ain’t that same old “hope and change” shovel cause it smells reeeeeeeeeal bad.
clnurnberg on January 28, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Here is the letter I sent to both my Senators and my Congressman today:
Dear Senator Hutchison,
I have just read the Wall Street Journal article on the “Economic Stimulus” package and I am appalled. This is most emphatically NOT a “stimulus”. It is a monstrosity and an abomination, and a slap in the face to every American taxpayer. According to the Journal article: “…by our estimate only $90 billion out of $825 billion, or about 12 cents of every $1, is for something that can plausibly be considered a growth stimulus.”
Republicans MUST NOT give the Democrats any cover on this. Bipartisanship is all well and good, but the Democrats alone need to carry the blame for the tax increases that will be required to continue to fund these special-interest projects, and for the ensuing economic disaster.
The Republicans failed miserably in leadership when they were in the majority, which is why we are not giving any money right now. You let us down, and we are furious! (The Republican firing squad: “Form a circle.”) If Republican leaders want to get their constituency back on board and contributing, they had better demonstrate that they have the strength of their convictions, and have our best interests at heart. Never mind Obama’s “be the change, blah blah blah…” We need you to be the principled opposition and we need it NOW. Stand up and fight for us!
Vote NO on the “Stimulus” package!
Sincerely,
Coppertop
coppertop on January 28, 2009 at 6:43 PM
No Republican in the house did. I see a glimmer of hope starting. Now maybe we can have some Democrats Change their minds and jump on the no pork barrel.
Oldnuke on January 28, 2009 at 6:53 PM
The government doesn’t pay anyone. It takes our earnings through taxation. (But, having read your usually well-reasoned comments, I think that you already knew that.)
This boondoggle stimulates nothing in the economy…except debt and further expectations for payoffs. The bill takes from the productive and puts them into an indebtedness that they would never knowingly put themselves into.
onlineanalyst on January 28, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Well, it IS all about STIMULUS
ArkCon on January 28, 2009 at 7:07 PM
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