Congress gives federal government a big raise in economic crisis
posted at 10:14 am on March 11, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
And we’re not just talking earmarks, either. The Washington Post notes that the omnibus spending bill passed last night by Congress for Barack Obama’s certain approval doesn’t just fund the non-defense government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year; it gives them hefty increases over previous spending levels. It sends a message of profligacy after the passage of massive stimulus and bailout bills, while Americans watch their retirement savings disappear:
The Senate gave final approval last night to a $410 billion spending bill to fund most of the federal government for the remainder of the year after overcoming a resilient Republican opposition and several Democratic defections.
The bill, which includes thousands of controversial earmarks inserted by members of both parties, was approved on a voice vote after eight Republicans joined 54 Democrats in backing a procedural measure to bring the long and rancorous debate to a close. President Obama has indicated that he will sign the legislation despite having misgivings about the earmarks. …
The bill represents a bonanza for federal agencies that felt a budget squeeze for much of Bush’s two terms. Mass transit, public housing, the National Institutes of Health, Head Start and the Pell grant program are all among the Democratic priorities that would see new federal money flow into their coffers. The Food and Drug Administration would receive nearly $335 million more than it did in fiscal 2008. The supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, known as WIC, would grow by $1.2 billion, a 21 percent jump from the $5.7 billion appropriated last year.
Who were the Republicans who voted for cloture, and against forcing changes in the bill to gain some sense of fiscal responsibility?
- Lamar Alexander
- Kit Bond
- Thad Cochran
- Lisa Murkowski
- Richard Shelby
- Olympia Snowe
- Arlen Specter
- Roger Wicker
Had they upheld the filibuster and forced changes to the bill, Nancy Pelosi pledged to kill the bill entirely, returning spending to 2008 levels. In my mind, that’s a feature, not a bug. With American wealth disappearing in the Wall Street meltdown and our retirements deflating rapidly, the only entity not living within its means is the federal Leviathan. 2008 levels were already too high, but they look positively parsimonious compared to the free-spending Democrats in charge of Congress, happily throwing away money that simply doesn’t exist.
We should mention the Democrats who tried to join the revolt:
- Evan Bayh
- Russ Feingold
- Claire McCaskill
Too bad they arrived at the ramparts just in time to see eight Republicans throw in the towel.
Blowback
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Oh yeah, Republicans have really learned the lessons of 2006 and 2008. Back on track, they are…
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Yeah 2010 is lookin’ good for republicans. Maybe they will be more wise next time.
/sarc
lorien1973 on March 11, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Specter and Snowe…wow, did that come out of nowhere.
Russ Feingold voted against? Why, because it didn’t include a provision for putting Dubya on trial and then hanging him?
Bishop on March 11, 2009 at 10:18 AM
But, but, but…it’s an emergency! /
So, we jacked in an additional $400 billion just to make it to September. Can’t wait to see the 2010 budget….
Vashta.Nerada on March 11, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Hopefully this bill has a high-speed train in it that goes from DC to the Grand Caynon and these 8 Republicans can be in the front seat for the inaugural, and last, ride over the cliff.
WashJeff on March 11, 2009 at 10:20 AM
SPECTER – Special Executive for Counterintelligence, Terrorism, Extortion, and Revenge
Can we please get this bum out of the Senate next year? And if Murkowski is gonna vote this way, maybe Palin should run against her after all.
Doughboy on March 11, 2009 at 10:20 AM
What, was Susan Collins not on the Senate floor yesterday?
Snowed In on March 11, 2009 at 10:21 AM
These ‘me too’ Republicans are killing the party. The GOP won’t survive as the party of Obama x .9.
tyrfing on March 11, 2009 at 10:21 AM
That photo is from the only movie I almost walked out on. Ewwwwww, gross!
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on March 11, 2009 at 10:21 AM
The New GOP No difference from the Demonrats. Apparently revolt is our only logical choice. Set up the guillotine on the Hill and let’s have at it. First up, the leaders of the house and Senate.
larvcom on March 11, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Mr. Creosote rules!!!
pseudonominus on March 11, 2009 at 10:22 AM
The only thing going over the cliff is our economy. Wait, I forgot about our way of life. That’s going, too.
mchristian on March 11, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Kit Bond voted for this bill but McCaskill did not????!!!!
Bond is a weasely, coward. He is retiring so who cares about his Missouri constituents?!
Vince on March 11, 2009 at 10:24 AM
How screwed up is this world where Kit Bond sells us out, and McCaskill tries to stop it?
Granted, however, Bond is in his final term, and is very well known for bringin’ home the bacon.
JamesLee on March 11, 2009 at 10:24 AM
This is the first time I have to say I’m ashamed of Richard Shelby. He’s lost my vote.
AubieJon on March 11, 2009 at 10:25 AM
I will not take the Republican party seriously again until I see 99% of the earmarks in a bill come from the Democrats. That is what annoys me the most. Why should we keep electing them if they act exactly the same way as the Democrats? Any chance we could get a 3rd party that is made up of Conservatives only? They would have rigorous standards in place that if you voted for pork you could get kicked off of the ticket when you come up for re-election?
txaggie on March 11, 2009 at 10:25 AM
.
And he’s not spending gazillions because he believes in big government. Because he doesn’t.
I’ve never come across someone who was so sure of his own judgement and yet so willing to ignore it.
landshark on March 11, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Always out of step…
right2bright on March 11, 2009 at 10:25 AM
thank goodness this bill passed. now there’s money to hire a receptionist for turbo tax tim. snort.
kelley in virginia on March 11, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Grrrrrrrrrrr. I’m still steaming over Bond. Any suggestions on how to get even?
Vince on March 11, 2009 at 10:28 AM
It’s a whole bag of York patties.
kirkill on March 11, 2009 at 10:28 AM
why did shelby vote for this?
kelley in virginia on March 11, 2009 at 10:28 AM
It is not just the earmarks, this is the bill that had the DC school voucher provision in it… So, Republicans are complicit in earmarks, spending and ending vouchers.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 10:29 AM
In principle, I’m not completely opposed to the idea of earmarks; who better knows that intersection that needs a new crosswalk signal, or the local school that needs new windows, or whatever, than the local representative.
What I AM opposed to is the payoff and enrichement system it has become. Since they all seem to be like children who can’t control themselves to having just one cookie before dinner, we have to lock up the cookie jar so that no one can have any.
JamesLee on March 11, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Does this mean they cant call us the party of “no” any longer?
/sarc
canditaylor68 on March 11, 2009 at 10:30 AM
He has millions in earmarks in the bill.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Who ordered a bucket?
fluffy on March 11, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)was not among those who voted against this nor did he vote against the Porkulus.
He may be a socially conservative Democrat but fiscally I can no longer justify voting for him ever again.
Yakko77 on March 11, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Yesterday seemed like things were moving in a much more positive direction….
…now the rug has been yanked out from underfoot.
Dangnabit.
tru2tx on March 11, 2009 at 10:32 AM
That is an argument for giving block grants to the states and allowing non-DC people to put the money where it needs to go.
The current earmark system is bribery and it leaves out people on the local level who may need money but can’t give enough of a bribe to get it.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Feingold, like McCain, is an anti-earmark crusader. But, just like with McCain, his complaint has nothing to do with the amount of money the government spends. Their problem is that earmarks violate Congressional process, being inserted without amendment or debate.
Even though earmarks are a form of pork, being anti-earmark doesn’t mean you’re anti-pork. You might just want your pork done “kosher.” (How’s that for mixing metaphors?)
Having said that, I agree that a provision for a war crimes trial against Dubya might have been enough to swing Feingold’s vote.
notropis on March 11, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Present
Damiano on March 11, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I will be waiting in September for the MSM to cover those two kids that are in Obama’s school and will not be next year (unless the Dems funnel money to the family behind the scenes). These Democrats, at 8 turncoats, are just CRUEL!!!
WashJeff on March 11, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I believe Lamar Alexander ran on the platform of “Cut Their Pay and Send Them Hom” when he ran for Prez.
Golden Boy on March 11, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I’ve emailed him just now. I know we’re supposed to be nice-nice when communicating with these people, but that time has passed. I let him know I will actively speak against him in future elections.
AubieJon on March 11, 2009 at 10:34 AM
The Munificent 8 gotta go.
All RINO’s need to be retired.
The weasels need to go home and suck their own eggs.
profitsbeard on March 11, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Bring me a bucket!
flipflop on March 11, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Am I right that this bill killed school choice vouchers in DC? Why doesnt Obama want economically disadvantaged kids to have the same opportunities that his children do?
This should be all over the news…
canditaylor68 on March 11, 2009 at 10:36 AM
TIGERHAWK ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION:
If the CEOs of banks that take federal money, including those who took federal money only after Hank Paulsen essentially ordered them, have their salary capped at $500,000, under what principle do we allow universities that request federal funding to pay their own presidents much more money?
Two can play at the same game.. Obama and the piglet have opened pandora’s box.
Keemo on March 11, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Please!
Some one has to capture Megan Kelly just now going slightly ballistic on Obama’s signing of the EARMARK BILL.
Rovin on March 11, 2009 at 10:37 AM
A few steps closer to a royal class, a body of people who will trample the rest of us while they pad their own nests.
I will call the Lexington, Massachusetts chamber of commerce and see if we can set a reservation for the Lexington Battle Green site sometime later this year.
I will bring guns and ammo, but we also need medical supplies, comm gear and some good carpenters to build barricades. You should also bring a potluck dish to share and of course BYOB. Any choices for which day would be best.
Bishop on March 11, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I think this vote shows that Russ Feingold is still the most principled Democrat and worthy of respect. I do not agree with much of what Russ Feingold stands for, but I find him to be a principled opponent. At least when he opposes something, it seems that there is some substance to it. He was always the most serious debater on the Iraq war. While there was a serious argument against the Iraq war, most Democrats never made it. But Feingold did. I still would not vote for him, but I would not be embarassed to call him my Senator.
RedSoxNation on March 11, 2009 at 10:38 AM
He is beholden to the teacher’s unions.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Maybe CONgress is unaware of the DEFLATIONARY recession we’re currently experiencing.
Idiots!
flyfisher on March 11, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Ed, how is Russ Feingold viewed by most Republicans in the upper Midwest?
RedSoxNation on March 11, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Lamar Alexander, you make me sick!!!
ladyingray on March 11, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I’m glad you posted that.
I was cynically thinking that his vote was because he was looking over his shoulder at Paul Ryan.
Sometimes it is difficult to stave off cynicism.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Specter and Snowe are hardly card-carrying Republicans. In a matter of weeks they’ve conspired to assault the American taxpaying public with more bad debt and even worse policy than anyone can accuse George Bush of doing in his eight years of office.
Time to throw out these turncoats.
redfoxbluestate on March 11, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Respectfully, RSN, you’ve appearently forgotten McCain-Feingold or did not think it was relevent to destroy the electoral process and our 1st amendment rights???
Rovin on March 11, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Very interesting…
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/03/023033.php
secrets, secrets, secrets; and to think that Obama voters bought into his “most transparent administration evah” theme, hook, line, and sinker…
Keemo on March 11, 2009 at 10:44 AM
I haven’t gotten a raise for two friggin’ years now. Granted, I’m thankful every day that I even have a job, but the arrogance of all of this is amazing.
And off the cliff we go!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
crazy_legs on March 11, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I may be wrong but didn’t his bill inlcude the 648 billion to be set aside for nationalized health care? I remember seeing on CSPAN yesterday that the 410 billion was being voted on however the 648 billion was manditory.
Going on google, BRB.
milwife88 on March 11, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Meanwhile, employees of state governments are being laid off and forced to take unpaid days off. Los Angeles is laying off 8000 teachers, while the Department of Education has now seen its budget quadruple since 2004. Is our children learning?
This bill includes massive increases in funding for public housing, a failed program if ever there was one, but one that is run by corrupt Democrats at the local level.
Unbelievable. And just watch the Democrats keep crying about those mean old Republicans preventing them from “fully funding” this program or that.
rockmom on March 11, 2009 at 10:46 AM
The $648 billion is for Obama’s budget. This $410 billion is a continuation of the last budget.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Two plans to stimulate the economy. 1. borrow money and let the government (ignorant of business practices), or 2. cut taxes, which would a. flood America with foriegn money just dying to be placed somewhere; and b. give people more of THEIR money each week to spend and invest; and c. give companies more money to hire and buy equipment and services. GEE, I wonder which would work better and faster? Why can’t anyone on the right convey this? Hold a Fcking press conference!
marklmail on March 11, 2009 at 10:49 AM
…and the $410 Billion will be blamed on Bush (i.e., his deficit).
WashJeff on March 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM
The photo is surreal and is the best way to describe U.S. 2009. Gorging oneself to death.
Can we petition that our government officals be held responsible for fraud, waste and abuse?
shick on March 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Despite the obvious political disagreements with Feingold I have, I’m regularly impressed by his level of integrity, which is high for your typical liberal Senator. He still lives relatively humbly, only a few miles from me. He’s built a reputation as a maverick on the left, often times abstaining from votes that many Dems jumped on, and he’s taken heat for it. I can’t fault him for holding to his principles, though. It takes guts.
I saw him and McCain were teaming up for another project, and this time Paul Ryan is working with them as well. Should be interesting to see what comes out of a union twixt liberal, liberal Republican, and conservative.
MadisonConservative on March 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM
The GOP needs a bigger, more inclusive tent,…. I read that somewhere.
a capella on March 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Is there any question as to why Conservatives feel that our core values and principals have been totaly abandoned???
The Republican Party is a waste land of TRAITORS!!! RINO’s and big spending morons who lost a fantastic chance to make a bold, clear distintion between the radical far left Socialists and Conservatives… Instead, these TRAITORS have cost all of us BILLIONS more in generational theft!!!
40% of the pork was Republican, and now 8 TRAITORS…
This is NOT getting better, it’s worse… THE RNC SUCKS!!!
We need WHOLESALE change, a total dump of RINO’s and MODERATES and PORKERS!!! Liars ALL OF THEM!!!
The citizens have been ignored AGAIN!!!
Mark Garnett on March 11, 2009 at 10:52 AM
It’s a time for sacrifice and prudent choices…except if you’re the government then it’s time to spend spend spend. I guess with the paradigm Obama is using to define ‘stimulus’ anything the government spends money on is ‘stimulus’ and therefore critical for our country.
This also sets up the scenario in the years to come when, hopefully, a Republican Congress tries to cut federal spending (back down to the frugal days of Bush /sarc) we’ll hear cries of ‘conservatives hate blacks, poor people, and children because they are reducing vital government services.
gwelf on March 11, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Power Line linked to this song by jazz singer Kathleen Stewart. :
Hey Washington …
IT AIN’T YOUR MONEY TO SPEND!
Some of the lyrics:
It ain’t your money to spend.
You’re acting like a bunch of jerks.
I’m the one who earned it.
I’m the one who works.
Your income redistribution
Doesn’t jibe with the Constitution.
So I got a little message to send:
It ain’t your money to spend.
INC on March 11, 2009 at 10:53 AM
And now Republicans will whine and whimper because “conservatives” won’t support them.
In a nutshell, Fuck ‘em!
GarandFan on March 11, 2009 at 10:53 AM
My two cents: Favorably. Disagreements aside, he’s remarkably receptive to his constituents. While I agree with Rovin that CFR is quite the damning item on his resume, he’s also shown more respect for the second amendment than most of his Democratic peers, has returned pay raises to the US Treasury (in keeping with his campaign promise not to accept pay raises), and was the leader in trying to make special elections constitutionally required for Senate appointments and outlaw governor appointments.
MadisonConservative on March 11, 2009 at 10:55 AM
ALL YOU IDIOTS HERE AT HOT AIR THAT WANT A BIG TENT… HERE YA GO YOU MORONS !!!! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FROM TRAITORS TO CONSERVATIVE VALUES !!!! THE SELLING OUT OUR SOULS !!!! YOU ALL SUCK THAT WANT THIS TO CONTINUE !!!! EITHER YOU WANT SMALL GOVERNMENT, LESS WELFARE, LESS TAX, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OR YOU WANT HUGE WELFAE WOMB TO TOMB GOVERNMENT FROM THE RADICAL LEFT AND THESE BIG TENT RINO TRAITORS !!!! ALL OF YOU ARE IDIOTS !!!! BURN THE TENT DOWN !!!!
Mark Garnett on March 11, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I hope you have that cut and pasted to a clipboard because I bet you’re going to be writing that quite a bit over the next two to four years.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 10:56 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/02/25/ST2009022502826.html
This article states that 634 billion is to be set aside for health care.
IF the 648 billion was Obama’s budget and the 410 was left over from Bush then the true number of the budget was misrepresented.
milwife88 on March 11, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I saw him and McCain were teaming up for another project, and this time Paul Ryan is working with them as well. Should be interesting to see what comes out of a union twixt liberal, liberal Republican, and conservative.
MadisonConservative on March 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM
A McFeingold amnesty plan? I can only imagine the beast that these three will produce.
Bishop on March 11, 2009 at 10:57 AM
This is as sick and disgusting as the Monty Python skit shown. Really, that picture was fitting and completely right on.
4shoes on March 11, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Honestly, we’re 50 days in and though Ed wants to convince us the Obama Admin is a failure, from their perspective that couldn’t be further from the truth. Oh, we disagree with their policies and believe (know) that they will fail, but so far Obama has gotten his way.
Yes, Daschle and Freeman and others have been forced to step down. But from the stimulus to the omnibus, from stem cells to the Mexico City policy, when has Obama not done what he wants?
The latter two examples were executive orders, so we had little hope of stopping them. But political pressure can be brought to bear. But we have none. Everything he does is applauded by the chattering class and the people.
Right now Congress is considering Card Check and the budget, I’m sure a health care bill isn’t far behind. What in the past 50(!) days makes anyone think that we’ll be able to stop these things? I’ve read some articles about Card Check and the budget that imply it’ll be a tougher fight, but a) the same was said about the stimulus and b) this is just bluster so that when token changes are made, those lawmakers can say they compromised.
I’m sorry, but in the first 100 days alone we’re going to see socialized medicine. It and all of his other radical changes in the next ~700 days before a new Congress will be baked into the cake like Social Security and Medicade.
So maybe we will take back the House in 2010, but even if that (unlikely) event takes place, most, if not all, of the damage will already done. That’s why Obama’s proceeding at this breakneck pace. There are no obstacles. And what’s done is done.
Look, I’m not one of those conservatives who thinks that we’re heading for a depression. I don’t want to overthrow the government. But I’m growing more and more convinced that Nov. 4 2008, was just a loss, but the loss. Even Jindal or Palin won’t be able to remove these entitlements (anymore than Reagan could remove the aforementioned ones); the masses will accept them and consider them a “right.”
Just feeling pretty disillusioned.
Trent1289 on March 11, 2009 at 10:58 AM
The federal government has no business spending money on these things. Let the local representatives determine their needs and have the local governments pay for it.
patriette on March 11, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Great.
This was a “Biggie” for a show of unity imo. They just don’t get it.
Itchee Dryback on March 11, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Ryan was always against amnesty. That won’t be the focus. They’re talking line-item veto.
MadisonConservative on March 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM
We should be, but won’t because we are wussified cowards, but we should be calling, e-mailing all on this list telling them how mad we are at their horrid act, that we will work to have them defeated, we are pulling all support! The do the same with the RNC, make these idiots PAY A PRICE for treason to American and for bending over for the radical Socialists and the far left Liberals!!!
These people disgust me as do the “big tenters” in the stupid, moronic Republican Party!!!
Mark Garnett on March 11, 2009 at 11:01 AM
MadisonConservative on March 11, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Personally, I think Feingold is miffed that Obama and Reid have ignored him for any major appointments because he’s too straight-forward and moderate for the radical lefts agenda. I have yet to find any reasonable motive for him to even hold up the earmark bill except to get Reids attention.
Rovin on March 11, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Now do you all get it? Republicans are not fically responsible. They are not conservative. They do not give a damn about you and me. Republicans are just like democrats, just a different flavor of the same shit-soup. When will you all learn there is no such thing as voting for a lesser evil?
http://www.lp.org
paulsur on March 11, 2009 at 11:03 AM
A “raise” is an increase in wages or salary, Ed, and once again, you’ve led us on. I’m on your side against most federal spending increases, but still you manage to alienate me by insulting us with a false alarm. Really, the more you settle in at Hot Air, the more annoying you become.
Kralizec on March 11, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I doubt the 3 Dems would have crossed over if their votes had been needed.
Oleta on March 11, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Do you think Hot Air should post a list of the republicans who placed earmarks in this bill and what those earmarks are? I want to know what kind of worthless crap that Kay Bailey and John Cornyn put in this bill.
paulsur on March 11, 2009 at 11:04 AM
And don’t forget the environment. A year and a half ago, a liberal friend of mine exclaimed after hearing I was conservative, ‘Aren’t they the ones who hate children and the environment?’ She was totally serious. Our friendship has cooled a tad since then.
4shoes on March 11, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I’m right there with you.
4shoes on March 11, 2009 at 11:07 AM
YES!!!!!!!!
And then we Conservative should call them out on it, at every turn, Rush should name names, call out these idiots!
Hold RINO’s and MODERATE REPUBLICANS accountable!!!
WE DEMAND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY!!! Starting with Repubs!!!
Mark Garnett on March 11, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Eighteen exclamation points for roughly 3 sentences.
Bad ratio.
MadisonConservative on March 11, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I actually heard some Senator the other day (an R, angels defend us) talking about how much work all the staffs had put in over the course of working the budget out.
Hey, dude — sunk costs are sunk.
DrSteve on March 11, 2009 at 11:10 AM
None of the eight were my rethuglican, so the rest of ya’ll have some work to do.
Immolate on March 11, 2009 at 11:10 AM
For the past couple of days, Fox has been showing graphics of the Shelby and Cochran earmarks, but it didn’t shame them one bit.
They have no shame and most of them have no fear of election revenge.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Great——Obama’s sending Gietner overseas to the summit. Obama appearenty isn’t qualified to understand global meltdowns. Some one should put an armed guard on the Treasury accounts—-Maybe Sandy Berger’s available?
Rovin on March 11, 2009 at 11:13 AM
More pissed off then I have been since Porkulous was rammed down our throats. Next up, Porkulous II, the Fat Pig redux, followed bu Health Care and Amnesty. I need more blood presure medicne. I wish we could do something. America can’t take this abuse. So excuse me if I’m upset and passionate and wish everyone else could “feel” it too.
Mark Garnett on March 11, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Both of Mississippi’s Republican Senators voted for this POS. They’ve got to go!
flyfisher on March 11, 2009 at 11:14 AM
No its not. Its an argument for having the locals raise the money for those projects. The federal government should not be taxing to do that spending. It should be unconstitutional.
Count to 10 on March 11, 2009 at 11:15 AM
It’s pretty bad when my Blue Dog representative is more reliable than both of my GOP senators.
flyfisher on March 11, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Don’t get pissed. Get armed.
MadisonConservative on March 11, 2009 at 11:17 AM
In a perfect world, I agree with you. But it isn’t going to happen. So, what I meant was, there is an argument to be made that a small step in fixing the problem is… The federal government isn’t going to give up it’s taxing and spending power. But it could give up the system of bribery. It won’t though.
myrenovations on March 11, 2009 at 11:18 AM
States with Class III senators Class III meaning their election is in 2010:
Current States with a Class III Senator: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Tom
marinetbryant on March 11, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Ryan was always against amnesty. That won’t be the focus. They’re talking line-item veto.
MadisonConservative on March 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM
I don’t know a thing about Ryan so that is nice to hear.
Line item veto? Good luck on that; porky needs his trough, the Congress will be truly united against the veto.
Bishop on March 11, 2009 at 11:18 AM
We should follow only The Constitution. The Feds should not control schools, nor road projects, nor any currently States right issues… Fed money is for National Defense and Security. Not pork and welfare… America is on life support and The Messiah has the plug in his evil hands.
Mark Garnett on March 11, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Anyone remaining who thinks it would be a bad idea to throw Specter, Snow, and Collins (Yes, I know she passed in this case) out of the caucus? They fold nearly every time it matters, so we may as well recognize that they’re going to do so and give them the boot. Maybe it would help Shelby, Murkowski, and others weaklings find their spine or face the fact that their next primary race could be a terminal event.
BadDogMN on March 11, 2009 at 11:19 AM
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