We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
But it passed. No Repubs on board, and 7 Dems against it. We just got screwed, big time. It will take a while for us to find out how badly we got screwed, since nobody has read the thing yet.
Dems Deliver Heavily Flawed Stimulus Package To Obama...As Ordered
Now that the stimulus bill has passed in the House and the Senate, all without the help of tne Republicans, Barack Obama and the congressional Democrats own this mess. The bill has got to be the biggest ripoff of...
I watched the "debate" on C-SPAN. A Republican tried to make a point of order that no one has read the bill. His objection was dismissed because it wasn't procedurally relevant. Well no, but how about morally relevant?
#1
Jack Diederich
(Link)
on
2009-02-13 18:01
(Reply)
I wonder what would happen, if, instead of voting on the bill, the Republicans just got up and walked out.
I mean, of course, if there was no way to defeat the bill.
This would be most effective if The Three Amigos, Spector, Snowe, and Collins all voted for the bill and they were left, alone, on the floor of the Senate.....
I've had the pleasure of lunch with the Boehner, and you'll appreciate that he is a heavy smoker with very colorful language. I am always impressed at how he contains himself long enough to speak on the floor without being censured. I sense the speech you see here was made after several dinner cocktails.
I love this guy. One of the few good remaining men in the GOP. I wish he would just haul of and clock Collins and Snowe in the hallway, and I can tell you that his instincts would prefer to.
He tells a great story about growing up in a bar that his father ran. He used to nap under the bar and work sweeping up after the drunks. Said his upbringing in an environment full of drunks prepared him perfectly for his career as the GOP Leader... he grew up watching the behavior of a bunch of jackasses.
#5
The Distributist
(Link)
on
2009-02-13 22:13
(Reply)
Oh, and another thing - Those of you in the business of starting businesses have probably noticed over the years the creeping competition in all industry sectors from the federal and/or state government.
After this piece o' shite passes, the biggest competitor to any business trying to launch will be the government.
#6
The Distributist
(Link)
on
2009-02-13 22:24
(Reply)
Oh NO SIR! THE biggest Competitor with any business is the union bosses in Chicago and New Jersey!
I hope this turns into a massive over reach what will come back to bite them hard. This may actually be better than a more creeping tactic over the next 4-8 years. This might actually blow up in their face.
Anybody got any fresh batteries for the presidential flashlight?:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ethics/
Shine the Light on Federal Contracts, Tax Breaks and Earmarks
Create a Public “Contracts and Influence” Database: As president, Obama will create a “contracts and influence” database that will disclose how much federal contractors spend on lobbying, and what contracts they are getting and how well they complete them. Expose Special Interest Tax Breaks to Public Scrutiny: Barack Obama and Joe Biden will ensure that any tax breaks for corporate recipients — or tax earmarks — are also publicly available on the Internet in an easily searchable format. End Abuse of No-Bid Contracts: Barack Obama and Joe Biden will end abuse of no-bid contracts by requiring that nearly all contract orders over $25,000 be competitively awarded. Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days.
* Shine Light on Earmarks and Pork Barrel Spending: Obama’s Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act will shed light on all earmarks by disclosing the name of the legislator who asked for each earmark, along with a written justification, 72 hours before they can be approved by the full Senate.
Feb 14, 2009 - 7:14 am
I wonder how to get more of that bailout money for myself.
#10
Jack Merridew
(Link)
on
2009-02-14 16:28
(Reply)
Have we seen any tv ads yet for "stimulus consultants" who will, for a nice fee, review the stimulus bill in terms of what your minority status, protected class, occupation, profession, business, etc. may be able to extract from it? Think of all those $5 million grants, consulting contracts, etc etc which are buried in there like gold nuggets in a fast moving stream, just waiting to be panned out. Will make the Gold Rush of '49 look tame! The reality is that it's the only game in town, isn't it? Does anyone else have any dough$$$$ these days?
Now that the stimulus bill has passed in the House and the Senate, all without the help of tne Republicans, Barack Obama and the congressional Democrats own this mess. The bill has got to be the biggest ripoff of...
Tracked: Feb 14, 00:12