As a budget compromise occurred on Capitol Hill late Friday night, just before the looming "government shutdown," one wonders what kind of deals were made between President Obama, Senate leader Reid and Speaker Boehner.
In other words, "Where's the pork?"
While claiming an overall $38.5 billion budget cut, "forged amid bluster and tough bargaining" (according to The Associated Press), there was a report that Boehner was able to keep something that was dear to him in tact, allowing students in Washington DC to use "federally funded vouchers" to attend private schools.
Federally funded vouchers?
That certainly means Main Street USA residents get to pick up the tab for DC students to attend a private school.
Where do elected representatives get the idea that this kind of expense using taxpayer dollars is appropriate?
It is just as bad as an item in the disastrous national healthcare reform bill where all Americans will be contributing their money to build walking parks in certain communities. That pork bought certain votes in order to pass the trillion dollar piece of legislation.
Is it possible that those persons who have been elected to serve in the best interests of their constituents have lost sight of those best interests? Allowing any special interest fluff to remain in a budget already filled to the brim with waste is criminal.
Earmarks have cost this country dearly. They should be illegal.
It certainly seems as if Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and any who hold a public office or position (elected or appointed), have forgotten exactly who signs their paycheck. It is, after all, coming directly out of the pocket of each and every taxpaying citizen in the country.
And, as a final note, Harry Reid called this budget work "historic." Historic would actually be when not one earmark gets tacked on to any piece of legislation coming from the Senate and House of Representatives.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Showing posts with label Harry Reid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harry Reid. Show all posts
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Voters Issue Strong Rebuke of Incumbents in Congress
This latest Gallup Poll should tell those on Capitol Hill to Wake Up.
Voters Issue Strong Rebuke of Incumbents in Congress
One has to wonder whether or not they will listen to Main Street USA.
Supposedly they are elected to serve the people.
The people are saying, rather loudly and clearly, that our elected representatives are not serving us properly or correctly.
Main Street USA does not want more and more deficit spending, our alleged trillion dollar Heath Care Rights Bill, usage (or other types of) taxes to help pay for under-funded programs, borrowing from government agency trust funds to cover "shortfalls" in other areas, earmarks and pork, etc., etc.
Senator Reid, Speaker Pelosi, take heed the warning.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Voters Issue Strong Rebuke of Incumbents in Congress
One has to wonder whether or not they will listen to Main Street USA.
Supposedly they are elected to serve the people.
The people are saying, rather loudly and clearly, that our elected representatives are not serving us properly or correctly.
Main Street USA does not want more and more deficit spending, our alleged trillion dollar Heath Care Rights Bill, usage (or other types of) taxes to help pay for under-funded programs, borrowing from government agency trust funds to cover "shortfalls" in other areas, earmarks and pork, etc., etc.
Senator Reid, Speaker Pelosi, take heed the warning.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Response to Harry Reid's Comment
The more one thinks about the below comment by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the more one's blood boils:
"I think what we need are people on that bench who have been legislators, people who are lawyers, people who are academics. You look at our Supreme Court and all these people, all they know is working with people in black robes. We have got to change that."
Imagine if you will Main Street USA coming back with this statement:
"I think what we need are people in that Congress who have been successful business executives, people who know you have to bring in more income than you have expenses, those who take responsibilty and will not vote, nor allow others to vote, "Present" on legislation. You look at Congress and all these people all they know is working with others who like to spend, spend, spend. We have got to change that."
Think about it, folks.
February 2010 posted nearly $220 Billion in deficit.
The fiscal year looks as if it may end with a $.16 Trillion shortfall.
And, let us not allow anyone on Captiol Hill keep blaming others for overspending.
Let us demand that they take responsibility in the here and now.
There are solutions to problems that do not demand massive expenditures with no revenue in sight with which to cover these.
We pay those in Congress to handle such problems.
If they cannot, they should leave (without retirement benefits, because they would have failed their job).
Over For Now.
Main Street USA
"I think what we need are people on that bench who have been legislators, people who are lawyers, people who are academics. You look at our Supreme Court and all these people, all they know is working with people in black robes. We have got to change that."
Imagine if you will Main Street USA coming back with this statement:
"I think what we need are people in that Congress who have been successful business executives, people who know you have to bring in more income than you have expenses, those who take responsibilty and will not vote, nor allow others to vote, "Present" on legislation. You look at Congress and all these people all they know is working with others who like to spend, spend, spend. We have got to change that."
Think about it, folks.
February 2010 posted nearly $220 Billion in deficit.
The fiscal year looks as if it may end with a $.16 Trillion shortfall.
And, let us not allow anyone on Captiol Hill keep blaming others for overspending.
Let us demand that they take responsibility in the here and now.
There are solutions to problems that do not demand massive expenditures with no revenue in sight with which to cover these.
We pay those in Congress to handle such problems.
If they cannot, they should leave (without retirement benefits, because they would have failed their job).
Over For Now.
Main Street USA
Harry Reid Speaks Out - Unfortunately
Chief Justice Roberts responded to a question by a student regarding remarks made about a US Supreme Court decision at the 2010 State of the Union address.
This activity fueled remarks by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Unfortunately.
Harry Reid has no call to make such statements about Justice Roberts.
Can any American actually believe that the Senate majority leader made the following comment: "Do you think John Roberts knows or cares how people get elected?"
Reid continued by stating: "I think what we need are people on that bench who have been legislators, people who are lawyers, people who are academics. You look at our Supreme Court and all these people, all they know is working with people in black robes. We have got to change that."
Factually, Justice Roberts is a lawyer. He spent 14 years in privtae law practice and argued 39 cases before the Supreme Court.
It would be nice if Mr. Reid got his facts right before mouthing off to national media. His actions lower even further the status of politicians.
Get to work, Mr. Reid. Do what Main Street USA pays you to do. We do NOT pay you to make inaccurate - and malicious - statements about members of our top court.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
This activity fueled remarks by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Unfortunately.
Harry Reid has no call to make such statements about Justice Roberts.
Can any American actually believe that the Senate majority leader made the following comment: "Do you think John Roberts knows or cares how people get elected?"
Reid continued by stating: "I think what we need are people on that bench who have been legislators, people who are lawyers, people who are academics. You look at our Supreme Court and all these people, all they know is working with people in black robes. We have got to change that."
Factually, Justice Roberts is a lawyer. He spent 14 years in privtae law practice and argued 39 cases before the Supreme Court.
It would be nice if Mr. Reid got his facts right before mouthing off to national media. His actions lower even further the status of politicians.
Get to work, Mr. Reid. Do what Main Street USA pays you to do. We do NOT pay you to make inaccurate - and malicious - statements about members of our top court.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Early Health Care Summit Notes
Writing this as the Summit is taking place.
Senator Lamar Alexander brought up the basic Republican platform. Most sounded pretty good. Once again, Tort Reform was on the list.
He quoted many past and current political figures as he presented his case, many of which were very relevant.
Speaker Pelosi pleading her case was interesting.
Yes, Main Street USA wants much of what she mentioned, but not at the cost being proposed.
Yes, Senator Reid, Americans do want healthcare reform, but not the reform that has been passed in the House and the Senate.
Why cannot the Democrats allow Tort Reform in the healthcare package?
In terms of facts that Senator Reid brings up, anyone can bring up a "fact" that supports their cause.
There is a fact that 10 million people who are not covered have decided, themselves, not to purchase it, even though they can.
Why do people sitting on Capitol Hill think they can force people to do something?
And, why is it that they feel that they can then force these people to obtain insurance or be fined?
Reid seemed to start on a bit of an attack mode, and kept it up.
As President Obama brings up issues where Democrats and Republicans agree and disagree it seems as if he would like to work together, but it is ironic that, in a national stage such as this, Democrats do not answer or respond to Tort Reform.
Cost control is definitely a concern as the president brought up in remarks, yet his only response to Tort Reform (ie frivolous lawsuits, etc.) is to have Secretary Sebelius is working on something that allows the states to do that. Why, on Earth, would that be a state matter, when many of the earmarks (to be funded by all of Main Street USA) should be, in this taxpayer's opinion, handled by their own means?
Dr./Senator Coburn was brilliant in his presentation on how to lower healthcare costs 15% on a right now, immediate basis; fraud in medicare and medicaid, extortion on medical malpractice, no new government programs, etc.
This forum seems as if it will, at some point, heat up quite a bit.
Initital thoughts and ideas as to how this is developing.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Senator Lamar Alexander brought up the basic Republican platform. Most sounded pretty good. Once again, Tort Reform was on the list.
He quoted many past and current political figures as he presented his case, many of which were very relevant.
Speaker Pelosi pleading her case was interesting.
Yes, Main Street USA wants much of what she mentioned, but not at the cost being proposed.
Yes, Senator Reid, Americans do want healthcare reform, but not the reform that has been passed in the House and the Senate.
Why cannot the Democrats allow Tort Reform in the healthcare package?
In terms of facts that Senator Reid brings up, anyone can bring up a "fact" that supports their cause.
There is a fact that 10 million people who are not covered have decided, themselves, not to purchase it, even though they can.
Why do people sitting on Capitol Hill think they can force people to do something?
And, why is it that they feel that they can then force these people to obtain insurance or be fined?
Reid seemed to start on a bit of an attack mode, and kept it up.
As President Obama brings up issues where Democrats and Republicans agree and disagree it seems as if he would like to work together, but it is ironic that, in a national stage such as this, Democrats do not answer or respond to Tort Reform.
Cost control is definitely a concern as the president brought up in remarks, yet his only response to Tort Reform (ie frivolous lawsuits, etc.) is to have Secretary Sebelius is working on something that allows the states to do that. Why, on Earth, would that be a state matter, when many of the earmarks (to be funded by all of Main Street USA) should be, in this taxpayer's opinion, handled by their own means?
Dr./Senator Coburn was brilliant in his presentation on how to lower healthcare costs 15% on a right now, immediate basis; fraud in medicare and medicaid, extortion on medical malpractice, no new government programs, etc.
This forum seems as if it will, at some point, heat up quite a bit.
Initital thoughts and ideas as to how this is developing.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Friday, February 19, 2010
Americans Are Dissatisfied With Government
According to a Washington Post-ABC News poll surveying 1,004 randomly selected citizens on February 11, 2010, "two-thirds of Americans are either dissatisfied or downright angry about the way the federal government is working."
The poll further revealed, per the article appearing in the Washington Post, that, "on average, the public estimates that 53 cents of every tax dollar they send to Washington is wasted."
The level of dissatisfaction by Main Street USA with our government (and, hence, the elected officials "leading" us) is at its highest level in 14 years.
Of significant note is that eight in 10 people who identify themselves as conservative Republicans hold negative views about the way our government is currently working, while just shy of six in 10 (59%) of the people who called themselves liberal Democrats responded they were "enthusiastic or satisfied about the role government was playing."
In order to have the total poll results at 67% negative that leaves the middle ground, the moderate Democrats, Republicans and Independents, as the group of citizens who tipped, and kept, the dissatisfied balance at a "super-majority-plus."
As stated earlier, it would be nice if our elected officials, from President Obama, to Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid, as well as each and every member of Congress, listened to what America has to say.
Main Street USA does not want, or need, a super-size government that regulates every little thing or decides that a government-run activity can do something better than the private sector.
The most recent examples are state-run pension plans, now one trillion dollars in debt. And, that is not from the 2008 economic collapse.
The super-majority-plus of taxpayers does not desire a government that does not spend within its budget with no thought of the future consequences and has, in reality, absolutely no accountability.
That an elected representative may get voted out of office due to voters being upset with their actions is not really accountability. Afterall, that deposed member of Congress will still reap the rewards of handsome retirement pay and benefits (courtesy of Main Street USA).
A person who uses credit to the maximum, and more, pays the piper in the end, either in the form of excessively high interest rates with loans and cards never being paid in full, or ends up having to file bankruptcy.
And, based on months of polling American citizens, it is not a desire that the federal government be our healthcare provider. Period.
So, why is Washington trying to ram this down our throats?
Whose agenda is it that this occur?
The US Government, in the immortal words of President Abraham Lincoln, is supposed to be of the people, by the people, for the people.
Does today's leadership, despite Main Street USA flatly stating that we do not want government-run healthcare, feel that American Citizens do not know what is in our own best interest? That only those who sit on Capitol Hill know what is good and best for its voting public (i.e., taxpayers)?
Wake Up Everybody!
The people have spoken.
Many times.
Start listening to your constituency.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
The poll further revealed, per the article appearing in the Washington Post, that, "on average, the public estimates that 53 cents of every tax dollar they send to Washington is wasted."
The level of dissatisfaction by Main Street USA with our government (and, hence, the elected officials "leading" us) is at its highest level in 14 years.
Of significant note is that eight in 10 people who identify themselves as conservative Republicans hold negative views about the way our government is currently working, while just shy of six in 10 (59%) of the people who called themselves liberal Democrats responded they were "enthusiastic or satisfied about the role government was playing."
In order to have the total poll results at 67% negative that leaves the middle ground, the moderate Democrats, Republicans and Independents, as the group of citizens who tipped, and kept, the dissatisfied balance at a "super-majority-plus."
As stated earlier, it would be nice if our elected officials, from President Obama, to Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid, as well as each and every member of Congress, listened to what America has to say.
Main Street USA does not want, or need, a super-size government that regulates every little thing or decides that a government-run activity can do something better than the private sector.
The most recent examples are state-run pension plans, now one trillion dollars in debt. And, that is not from the 2008 economic collapse.
The super-majority-plus of taxpayers does not desire a government that does not spend within its budget with no thought of the future consequences and has, in reality, absolutely no accountability.
That an elected representative may get voted out of office due to voters being upset with their actions is not really accountability. Afterall, that deposed member of Congress will still reap the rewards of handsome retirement pay and benefits (courtesy of Main Street USA).
A person who uses credit to the maximum, and more, pays the piper in the end, either in the form of excessively high interest rates with loans and cards never being paid in full, or ends up having to file bankruptcy.
And, based on months of polling American citizens, it is not a desire that the federal government be our healthcare provider. Period.
So, why is Washington trying to ram this down our throats?
Whose agenda is it that this occur?
The US Government, in the immortal words of President Abraham Lincoln, is supposed to be of the people, by the people, for the people.
Does today's leadership, despite Main Street USA flatly stating that we do not want government-run healthcare, feel that American Citizens do not know what is in our own best interest? That only those who sit on Capitol Hill know what is good and best for its voting public (i.e., taxpayers)?
Wake Up Everybody!
The people have spoken.
Many times.
Start listening to your constituency.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
State of the Union 2010
President Obama delivered his State of the Union 2010 address tonight.
There were several items he spoke about with which I agree.
What remains to be seen is how they will get implemented, how they will ultimately affect the national debt, especially in light of the fact that starting next year he is proposing a three-year freeze on government spending, and "the pay as you go" plan.
However, I will not take up time speaking about those things that would be nice to achieve for Main Street USA.
Well, except for education.
I agree that there needs to be reform, but with the power that the teacher's unions and others wield I am unsure how that will be achieved.
While there are those who do not feel that the No Child Left Behind Act, passed and implemented under President Bush but co-authored by the late Senator Edward Kennedy, is working, it is interesting to note that one of the reasons is that there were those within the education community at the local level who, basically, did what they could to thwart "outsiders" coming in to assist their most needy students.
Case in point, when Paul Vallas was Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia (one of the largest in the country) he implemented something new every year that not only discouraged but made it nearly impossible for companies, community centers and churches to provide Supplemental Educational Services to their students. And today, Philadelphia is feeling the pain of those actions.
And there are many other cases like that of Vallas.
Thus, unless and until the internal obstacles are dealt with agressively, education reform, of any sort, will fail. I truly hope that President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan can accomplish this task they seek.
On to the few points where what is proposed is not good for Main Street USA.
First and foremost are the infamous earmarks.
Even though the President stated, while campaigning, that he would not pass legislation that contains earmarks, it continues. What is now being requested by him is that there be a website listing all earmarks so the people can see where their money is going.
And while the President states he does not like or approve of earmarks, had certain pieces of pork not been added to the senate version of healthcare reform, behind closed doors with Senator Harry Reid, it would not have achieved the super-majority vote of 60 US Senators in favor of the bill.
It is still this taxpayer's opinion that earmarks are nothing more than a Congressional Special Interest Group.
And, while the President feels that the US Supreme Court decision allowing companies to fund political advertising was wrong and would open up all kinds of problems for the country, the amount of money corporations would spend would still, more than likely, be a pitance to the massive sums of earmarks offered to politicans (for their states) to secure their vote for a particular bill.
Yes, Main Street USA those are your tax dollars at work-in another state.
There is also too much evidence to show that the healthcare reform that has been proposed will not achieve what is being promised.
One major point that would definitely reduce healthcare and insurance costs overall is Tort Reform.
Again, no one, not President Obama, not any Senator nor member of the House, is proposing such an action.
What exactly do they fear?
Will they lose previous campaign contributions?
Tough if they do. These elected representatives, every single one of them, are supposed to be serving Main Street USA.
So, yes, President Obama is right, we need healthcare reform.
No, we do not need what has been proposed.
Republicans and Democrats need to come together and draft legislation that provides most of the basics the President wants, but does not force people into buying health insurance, by fining or taxing them, if they do not wish to do so. (As a note, between 25% and 30% of the total number of people being counted as uninsured fall into this category.)
Food for thought.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
There were several items he spoke about with which I agree.
What remains to be seen is how they will get implemented, how they will ultimately affect the national debt, especially in light of the fact that starting next year he is proposing a three-year freeze on government spending, and "the pay as you go" plan.
However, I will not take up time speaking about those things that would be nice to achieve for Main Street USA.
Well, except for education.
I agree that there needs to be reform, but with the power that the teacher's unions and others wield I am unsure how that will be achieved.
While there are those who do not feel that the No Child Left Behind Act, passed and implemented under President Bush but co-authored by the late Senator Edward Kennedy, is working, it is interesting to note that one of the reasons is that there were those within the education community at the local level who, basically, did what they could to thwart "outsiders" coming in to assist their most needy students.
Case in point, when Paul Vallas was Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia (one of the largest in the country) he implemented something new every year that not only discouraged but made it nearly impossible for companies, community centers and churches to provide Supplemental Educational Services to their students. And today, Philadelphia is feeling the pain of those actions.
And there are many other cases like that of Vallas.
Thus, unless and until the internal obstacles are dealt with agressively, education reform, of any sort, will fail. I truly hope that President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan can accomplish this task they seek.
On to the few points where what is proposed is not good for Main Street USA.
First and foremost are the infamous earmarks.
Even though the President stated, while campaigning, that he would not pass legislation that contains earmarks, it continues. What is now being requested by him is that there be a website listing all earmarks so the people can see where their money is going.
And while the President states he does not like or approve of earmarks, had certain pieces of pork not been added to the senate version of healthcare reform, behind closed doors with Senator Harry Reid, it would not have achieved the super-majority vote of 60 US Senators in favor of the bill.
It is still this taxpayer's opinion that earmarks are nothing more than a Congressional Special Interest Group.
And, while the President feels that the US Supreme Court decision allowing companies to fund political advertising was wrong and would open up all kinds of problems for the country, the amount of money corporations would spend would still, more than likely, be a pitance to the massive sums of earmarks offered to politicans (for their states) to secure their vote for a particular bill.
Yes, Main Street USA those are your tax dollars at work-in another state.
There is also too much evidence to show that the healthcare reform that has been proposed will not achieve what is being promised.
One major point that would definitely reduce healthcare and insurance costs overall is Tort Reform.
Again, no one, not President Obama, not any Senator nor member of the House, is proposing such an action.
What exactly do they fear?
Will they lose previous campaign contributions?
Tough if they do. These elected representatives, every single one of them, are supposed to be serving Main Street USA.
So, yes, President Obama is right, we need healthcare reform.
No, we do not need what has been proposed.
Republicans and Democrats need to come together and draft legislation that provides most of the basics the President wants, but does not force people into buying health insurance, by fining or taxing them, if they do not wish to do so. (As a note, between 25% and 30% of the total number of people being counted as uninsured fall into this category.)
Food for thought.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What Is A Special Interest Group?
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) may be good or may be bad.
That, of course, would depend upon a particular SIG promoting what you believe in and support, or (more coarsely) your agenda—or not.
According to Wikipedia: "An interest group (also advocacy group, lobby group, pressure group or special interest group) is an organization that seeks to influence political decisions."
And from Brittanica Concise Encyclopedia: "Any association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favour."
The question, then, is this:
Are not both branches of Congress Special Interest Groups?
Did not Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, on Dec 19, 2009, admit to such things as: "You will find a number of states are treated differently than other states. That's what legislation is all about. It's compromise."
To be clear, Reid, in closed sessions, offered Senators from a few states (who were not going to vote for the Senate’s version of healthcare reform) additional benefits, tacked on to the already massive bill, in order to secure their votes and reach that high and mighty number 60.
Would the actions of Senator Reid not qualify as "special interest?"
Would not the billions and billions of dollars of earmarks added on to various pieces of legislation that have passed through Congress and the White House (from both parties) be considered as the work of a SIG, or even a group of SIGs working together?
Granted, certain (probably many) pieces of pork may have been the work of an outside SIG (i.e., association SIG, labor union SIG, business SIG, etc.) over the years, but the work done on Capitol Hill with healthcare reform, was really the work of the Congressional SIG.
Thus, when politicians (or anyone for that matter) complain about SIGs and the influence they may wield upon the political and legislative process, and how it may threaten our Freedom and Liberty, it seems that Main Street USA only has to look (if that were literally possible) at what goes on "behind closed doors" to find the truth.
Food For Thought.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
That, of course, would depend upon a particular SIG promoting what you believe in and support, or (more coarsely) your agenda—or not.
According to Wikipedia: "An interest group (also advocacy group, lobby group, pressure group or special interest group) is an organization that seeks to influence political decisions."
And from Brittanica Concise Encyclopedia: "Any association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favour."
The question, then, is this:
Are not both branches of Congress Special Interest Groups?
Did not Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, on Dec 19, 2009, admit to such things as: "You will find a number of states are treated differently than other states. That's what legislation is all about. It's compromise."
To be clear, Reid, in closed sessions, offered Senators from a few states (who were not going to vote for the Senate’s version of healthcare reform) additional benefits, tacked on to the already massive bill, in order to secure their votes and reach that high and mighty number 60.
Would the actions of Senator Reid not qualify as "special interest?"
Would not the billions and billions of dollars of earmarks added on to various pieces of legislation that have passed through Congress and the White House (from both parties) be considered as the work of a SIG, or even a group of SIGs working together?
Granted, certain (probably many) pieces of pork may have been the work of an outside SIG (i.e., association SIG, labor union SIG, business SIG, etc.) over the years, but the work done on Capitol Hill with healthcare reform, was really the work of the Congressional SIG.
Thus, when politicians (or anyone for that matter) complain about SIGs and the influence they may wield upon the political and legislative process, and how it may threaten our Freedom and Liberty, it seems that Main Street USA only has to look (if that were literally possible) at what goes on "behind closed doors" to find the truth.
Food For Thought.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Compromise or Bribery ? ? ?
As reported by CQPolitics:
"Reid and his aides have been relatively open about the deals he struck with individual Democrats.
"You will find a number of states are treated differently than other states, Reid said Dec. 19. That's what legislation is all about. It's compromise."
Interesting that the dictionary defines Legislation as "the act of making or enacting laws" and that Compromise is "a settlement of differences by mutual concessions."
I was not aware that "mutual concessions" included giving away billions of taxpayer dollars to buy the support and votes of a few.
Further to the point, the concession Mr. Reid gave up was . . . exactly what?
Sorry, sounds more like bribery to this taxpayer.
To set the record straight, a Bribe (that word used in the headline) is "anything given or serving to persuade or induce."
And Senator Harry Reid did just that, he persuaded some his party members with additional taxpayer dollars for their states that not all states will receive.
As a note, that is also not a mutual concession.
Perhaps Main Street USA should be glad that there were not more Senate Democrat hold-outs...who knows what the final pricetag would be on this earmarked piece of legislation.
More food for thought.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
"Reid and his aides have been relatively open about the deals he struck with individual Democrats.
"You will find a number of states are treated differently than other states, Reid said Dec. 19. That's what legislation is all about. It's compromise."
Interesting that the dictionary defines Legislation as "the act of making or enacting laws" and that Compromise is "a settlement of differences by mutual concessions."
I was not aware that "mutual concessions" included giving away billions of taxpayer dollars to buy the support and votes of a few.
Further to the point, the concession Mr. Reid gave up was . . . exactly what?
Sorry, sounds more like bribery to this taxpayer.
To set the record straight, a Bribe (that word used in the headline) is "anything given or serving to persuade or induce."
And Senator Harry Reid did just that, he persuaded some his party members with additional taxpayer dollars for their states that not all states will receive.
As a note, that is also not a mutual concession.
Perhaps Main Street USA should be glad that there were not more Senate Democrat hold-outs...who knows what the final pricetag would be on this earmarked piece of legislation.
More food for thought.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Despite Public Opinion - And The Divide
Do our elected officials even care what we here in Main Street USA think, other than about our vote for them to remain in office, collect their salaries, benefits and, ultimately, a fantastic retirement package?
As reported by the Associated Press, "Public support for the legislation continues to sink in opinion polls, even as the Senate advances."
Wake up, please, Senators!
Yes, many Americans want reform but not at this cost (One Trillion Dollars), not with many provisions now contained in the two-thousand-plus page bill and amendments and not with earmarks and pork (which we were promised would not exist in legislation under this President, by POTUS, himself).
Seems the only opinions they are interested in are their own.
To wit: (AP) "Senate moderates have served notice they won't support a final deal if government-run insurance comes back. And Democratic abortion opponents in the House say a Senate compromise on the volatile issue is unacceptable."
Gridlock?
Perhaps.
Or, maybe there will be hundreds more pages of amendments between the two bills, which, when added together, will make some 4,000 pages of legislation (that not one person will have fully read and understood) and, lo and behold, there will exist many loopholes that some clever attorneys will find. Which will, undoubtedly, cost the taxpayer even more.
Time will tell.
Unfortunately it is a short time as Senator Harry Reid continues to push this atrocity through before Christmas.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
As reported by the Associated Press, "Public support for the legislation continues to sink in opinion polls, even as the Senate advances."
Wake up, please, Senators!
Yes, many Americans want reform but not at this cost (One Trillion Dollars), not with many provisions now contained in the two-thousand-plus page bill and amendments and not with earmarks and pork (which we were promised would not exist in legislation under this President, by POTUS, himself).
Seems the only opinions they are interested in are their own.
To wit: (AP) "Senate moderates have served notice they won't support a final deal if government-run insurance comes back. And Democratic abortion opponents in the House say a Senate compromise on the volatile issue is unacceptable."
Gridlock?
Perhaps.
Or, maybe there will be hundreds more pages of amendments between the two bills, which, when added together, will make some 4,000 pages of legislation (that not one person will have fully read and understood) and, lo and behold, there will exist many loopholes that some clever attorneys will find. Which will, undoubtedly, cost the taxpayer even more.
Time will tell.
Unfortunately it is a short time as Senator Harry Reid continues to push this atrocity through before Christmas.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
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