The WRONG Way to Pass Legislation
October 2, 2008
The Senate broke my heart by passing the bailout Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (note the re-framing) overwhelmingly.
What’s really eating at me though is the way that it passed. In an attempt to make the bill more palatable to members of Republicans in the House, they packed the bill with pork. Sure, this is how business gets done in Washington, but in this case it’s really, really, really sick. See some examples of the garbage in this bill here.
With all of the quasi-economic-populist rhetoric going on as this election draws nearer, why not throw in substantive measures to make this bill more palatable to homeowners, consumers, and everyday citizens? Isn’t that what economic populism is all about?
We need a change in Washington. Yes, I agree that we need a new President, and I think that new President should be Barack Obama. But what we really need is a change in how Washington works. This bill passed the way most bills pass in Washington: too quickly, without enough scrutiny, packed with “sweeteners” for politicians instead of people.
I wish my candidate & his VP (and, frankly, their opponent) hadn’t supported this. When a Democratic Senator who’s name is not on this list tells you they put regular people first, do a double-take.
Democratic Senators that Voted ‘No’ on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
- Maria Cantwell (WA)
- Byron Dorgan (ND)
- Russ Feingold (WI)
- Tim Johnson (SD)
- Mary Landrieu (LA)
- Bill Nelson (FL)
- Bernie Sanders (VT)
- Debbie Stabenow (MI)
- John Tester (MT)
- Ron Wyden (OR)
One Love. One II.
P.S. When was the last time that opposing candidates voted the same way on a such controversial legislation this close to an election?
My thoughts on the financial meltdown
September 23, 2008
I need to speak my piece about the financial crisis facing America. This will be free form but take from it what you will.
Real people
Many families are in a situation where the only real safety net is that of other family members who are relatively well off. To be clear, we are not talking about McCain rich; rather I am defining well off by having good credit and being able to give “loans” to the family that rarely get paid back. These family anchors (including some in my own family) are being wiped out with this economic crisis. And I am tired of real people being categorized as “Main Street” and banks being characterized as “Wall Street.” This level of distance from real people in our media leaves everyone and no one responsible for our current crisis. In the end, the real victims are faceless and nameless. Read more
