Friday, October 21, 2005
A gross failure of government -- and of both parties
The Club for Growth blog tracked the debate over the Coburn amendment that would cancel the Bridge to Nowhere and Don Young Way and use that $454 million for New Orleans reconstruction. It was a heated debate. Sen. Ted Stevens threatened to resign if the amendment passed (too bad it failed).
What bothers me most is that there is no reason for any Democrat to vote against this amendment, yet our Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) was the only Democrat to vote for it!
Another, earlier, Coburn amendment to revoke pork projects in Rhode Island, Washington State, and Nebraska, for a total of $1.5 million in savings, was rejected. Of the 13 "yes" votes, Sen Feingold's was the only one from a Democrat.
It's wonderful for Wisconsin that Feingold voted for it, but ugly and embarrassing for the Democratic Party. (And, back to Wisconsin: Where was our other senator?)
Why would anyone vote against a bill that is overwhelmingly both fiscally and morally correct? Because if it pases, it puts every single slab of pork in every single state in danger. What Coburn did is allow a challenge to every single pork line item. As well as it should be. Let each project stand on its own.
The amendment failed 15-82. This is becoming a gross failure by both parties and the institution of government. This time, Sen. Feingold was joined by three other Democrats and 11 Republicans in voting "yes." (Once again, where was Wisconsin's other senator?)
We have to wonder aloud: How the heck is a $223 million bridge serving 50 people more important to 82 senators than rebuilding storm-battered New Orleans (or fending off the proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid)?
Simply unconscionable. Those who voted against these amendments have zero credibility on issues of fiscal responsibility (much less moral accountability). Zero. Did I mention, lately, the culture of corruption?
And by the way, Feingold is starting to look really good for '08.
What bothers me most is that there is no reason for any Democrat to vote against this amendment, yet our Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) was the only Democrat to vote for it!
Another, earlier, Coburn amendment to revoke pork projects in Rhode Island, Washington State, and Nebraska, for a total of $1.5 million in savings, was rejected. Of the 13 "yes" votes, Sen Feingold's was the only one from a Democrat.
It's wonderful for Wisconsin that Feingold voted for it, but ugly and embarrassing for the Democratic Party. (And, back to Wisconsin: Where was our other senator?)
Why would anyone vote against a bill that is overwhelmingly both fiscally and morally correct? Because if it pases, it puts every single slab of pork in every single state in danger. What Coburn did is allow a challenge to every single pork line item. As well as it should be. Let each project stand on its own.
The amendment failed 15-82. This is becoming a gross failure by both parties and the institution of government. This time, Sen. Feingold was joined by three other Democrats and 11 Republicans in voting "yes." (Once again, where was Wisconsin's other senator?)
We have to wonder aloud: How the heck is a $223 million bridge serving 50 people more important to 82 senators than rebuilding storm-battered New Orleans (or fending off the proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid)?
Simply unconscionable. Those who voted against these amendments have zero credibility on issues of fiscal responsibility (much less moral accountability). Zero. Did I mention, lately, the culture of corruption?
And by the way, Feingold is starting to look really good for '08.
