Voting to sink the future

Yesterday the Janesville Gazette also had a listing of recent votes in Congress and how area congresspeople voted. The listing of votes and what happened made my jaw drop. See if you have the same reaction.

The "fiscal conservatives" at it again - The Senate refused to reinstate the "pay as you go" rule requiring tax cuts or entitlement spending hikes be offset in the budget. Be proud that our two senators voted yes. Be angry that the measure failed in the Republican lead Congress. This means you have to...

Raise the debt ceiling to point we stop calling it a ceiling - Since the Republicans in Congress think we don't have to prove we can pay for anything, we might as well just start printing Monopoly money and be done with it. The Senate voted to raise the debt ceiling to $8.965 TRILLION! It has risen by $3 trillion since President Bush took office. Again, be proud that Senator Feingold and Senator Kohl voted no, but be angry that the "fiscally conservative" Republicans passed the measure.

Port security, we don't need no stinking port security - The same Republicans that were shocked and angry we were about to sell our port security operations to a state-owned company from UAE, refused to raise port security spending by closing a business tax loophole. (see how that's done Republicans, you sponsor spending, you match it with a reduction when you are in the hole). What good are tax cuts for businesses if a port and all the containers with the products of the businesses are blown up? Feingold and Kohl voted to increase spending for security but the measure failed on a largely party-line vote. The House voted on a similar measure - Rep. Ryan voted against it, Rep. Baldwin voted for it. The measure failed in the House as well.

And finally...

Sorry grandma, you're time is up - Even though most Member of Congress couldn't explain the Medicare prescription drug coverage themselves if their life depended on it, they voted against giving people more time to figure out which program to be in. I guess this is how they are going to cut costs with the program - hope seniors are so confused that they don't sign up. Again, be proud Feingold and Kohl voted to extend the deadline, but be very angry that the Republican led Senate voted the measure down.