Comments on: We Are Ungoverned

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:08:51 +0000

Hey, McCain just voted for more earmarks!

I have not been impressed with Pelosi or Reid's leadership lately and I'm an 80% Dem. There are certainly other Democrats in the Senate who could lead better.

By: punditdad

punditdad — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:11:29 +0000

I'm shocked at the level of half truths and fact twisting that I hear from everyday people who claim to have an understanding of our economy. People have had it “good” for far too long and forgotten what it's like to have high unemployment and high inflation. I suggest that everyone who is against this financial rescue plan which could end up as a net plus for the american taxpayer contact their House member with their better idea. Unfortunately, doing nothing is not an option. A few million bucks for some arrows? That's peanuts to what happens if more financial institutions collapse, people lose their life savings and end up on the unemployment line. This IS easy enough for a 12 year old to understand and the credit markets are already hurting. Again, sticking our heads in the sand or throwing out all members of Congress is not the answer.

By: The_Master

The_Master — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:30:41 +0000

Polimom,

You are absolutely right. This "emergency" bailout bill is becoming a massive vote buying / bribery scheme using the taxpayers' money. The oblivious can say "this is how it's always done" and they would be right. However this is an alleged worldwide emergency, not business as usual. They must act now or the world as we know it will end! No time for hearings! No time to examine less expensive, less intrusive solution options! Vote 'yes' now, or doom will be on us all!

(Wait a bit though, we can add more extraneous 'sweeteners' to help convince you--er, if you don't actually buy the end of the world bit, that is . . . .)

These people are beneath contempt. No wonder this Congress has the lowest public approval rating ever recorded. It will no doubt be lower still by election day, though still too high.

Throw them ALL out!

By: Polimom

Polimom — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:08:35 +0000

A little more about the additions they've made to this bill (from The Politico, w/ my emphasis)

"Senate leaders are confident that they can prevail, but the strategy is not without risks in the House given the added costs of the tax package. Congressional Budget Office estimates indicate that the net impact will be to add almost $105 billion to an already large deficit next year, and fiscal conservatives will feel they are being straight-armed by the Senate which has refused to do more to offset the costs.

By: kritt11

kritt11 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:40:24 +0000

While the coalitions are necessary to get anything done, we also end up with bills that either have big loopholes or no teeth in them, because otherwise one side or the other would object too strongly. What we have now works very badly — my only suggestion is to try to legislate limited contact with lobbyists right before a key vote.

I suppose they could try to reinstitute the line item veto- but that was ruled unconstitutional by SCOTUS.

By: Scroll For Updates: This Is The Dagwood Bumstead Of Crap Snadwiches | Right Voices

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:24:40 +0000

[...] We are ungoverned [...]

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:17:43 +0000

I wonder if McCain favors vetoing this bill. He's said over and over that he'd veto any bill with a whiff of earmarks, no matter what.

By: GeorgeSorwell

GeorgeSorwell — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:02:30 +0000

While I appreciate the truth of comments about the way the world works, I'm with Polimom on this.

They say this is a crisis, but they act as if it's business as usual.

By: donthelibertariandemocrat

donthelibertariandemocrat — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:14:31 +0000

Gripe all you want if it helps you,but this is the system. As for the rest of the world, you're wrong. They know how to play our system. Don't kid yourself about that.

By: ChrisWWW

ChrisWWW — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:27:17 +0000

I keep thinking back to how Bill Frist attached that online-gambling ban to a port security bill… He used national security to ruin my online poker fun… Meanwhile, the bill carved out a special exception for horse racing.

I know it's unrelated, but it still pisses me off.

By: Marlowecan

Marlowecan — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:20:57 +0000

I suppose you are right, Chris.

I have been reading lately about the incredible work of Truman's special committee to eliminate fraud and waste in government contracts during WW II. So such petty grease should come as no surprise.

But it does. Given the incredible political and economic stakes at hand . . . the thought that someone on the Hill is focused on Wooden Arrows just seems surreal.

By: Marlowecan

Marlowecan — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:14:59 +0000

A great find, Polimom. Thank you.

I must say, although I have always considered myself fairly jaded, I am utterly gobsmacked by this.

A bailout bill in a time of severe global economic crisis . . . and the Senators are busy with their earmarks for Puerto Rican rum etc.

I don't know what to say. Incredible.

You have an excellent title for your post, Polimom...truly..."We are ungoverned"

By: ChrisWWW

ChrisWWW — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:10:58 +0000

This kind of stuff is how coalitions in Washington are built. I used to really hate it, but now I sort of see the necessity of it.

Legalized bribery for the win?