So the first vote is “NO!” on the Bail Out emergency spending bill.  I would have liked to have seen a real bipartisan bill passed with thoughtful, considered measures on behalf of the American taxpayer. But it is simply not there yet.  Over 66% of House Republicans, and 40% of House Democrats voted against this bill. Yes, 90 + members of the Democrat party voted against the bill.  The bill failed 228 to 205.
What really bothers me: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke a partisan view at every turn, yesterday calling the Republicans “unpatriotic” for standing up for their principles and fighting for what they believe is best for the country and their constituents? She continued today, before the vote, by blaming Republicans for the entire financial crisis?!  That upset so many Congressmen that they probably voted no because of it. Â
But it’s simply unbelievable that Senator Pelosi would attack other Congress members during this crisis, especially in the context that these are people who are standing up for their conscience to work out a plan that protects taxpayers from what they view as excessive debt and spending.  And now Speaker Pelosi is blaming the GOP for the failure of this spending bill even though 90 Democrats also voted no.
With both sides blaming each other for the bail out failure, many Republicans expressed concern that this just was not the right legislation at the right time, some asking their peers to think hard about what they were voting for:
“Before the vote, many House Republicans expressed opposition to the bill, saying it departed from free-market principles. Republican congressional aides also said calls from constituents were running 10 to 1 against the legislation.”
“The relevant test is, when you look at the good in the bill, when you look at the bad in the bill — does it take America in a direction that you believe America should go?” said Rep. Jeb Hensarling, a conservative Texas Republican, before the vote. “By that test, Madam Speaker, I will vote no on this legislation.
“I fear that ultimately it may not work. I fear that it is too much bailout and not enough work out. I fear that taxpayers may end up inheriting the mother of all debts,” he added.
Another Republican called on members to vote their conscience. “Ask yourselves why you came here and vote with courage and integrity to those principles. If, like me, you came here because you believe in limited government and the freedom of the American marketplace, I urge you vote in accordance with your convictions,” Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, said.
“Stand up for limited government and economic freedom. Stand up for the American taxpayer. Reject this bailout and vote no on the emergency economic stabilization act,” he said.
Here’s something that really opens your eyes. Representative Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat from Ohio speaks on how the Bail Out bill has been shoved down other Congressmen’s throats the past week. This is an amazing video.
I normally try to take an objective viewpoint politically, and not to advocate for one party or another. But today is a very sad day when the top leadership of our national Congress stands up and blames other members of Congress for not doing enough to solve what may be the greatest financial crisis in our nation’s history.  Both sides are certainly to blame here, and if they cared more about what is best for the nation instead of staying elected in office, then I think we’d be a lot further along.It’s amazing to watch and such a shame when we are so much better than this.  The real reason the bailout bill has not passed is that the Bail Out doesn’t do enough to protect American taxpayers from years of future debt and tax hikes!
Enough on that note. Let’s hope we can move forward and get something functional put together.Â
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