Is This For Real? Republicans Support The Bill But Don't Want To Vote For It?

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Is this for real?

Senator Specter says some of his colleagues support the bill but don't want to vote for it.

Huh? Are they kidding?

And politicians wonder why the general public by and large despises politics ?

So, if Senator Specter's colleagues are supportive but unwilling to vote, am I to understand that the House Republicans again provided not one vote in favor of the bill not because they have a substantial point of difference, but because they just don't want to vote for it?

So Republicans would rather have history record that they did nothing to help the people because they have elections coming up?

Is that what politicians get voted in to do? Stay in office by any means necessary, including doing nothing for the people who elected them?

So what's the point of democracy if you aren't going to say and do something constructive for the people? Are Republicans reading the world economic and political news? Do they understand what has been on the line since this crisis started? Is this going to go on for the next four years? Opposing just to oppose when so much is on the line?

Memo to House and Senate Republicans: Please think of the people you represent - all of them.

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Democracy At Its Finest!

Image by _Robert C_ via Flickr

For those of us who believe deeply in democracy, today was a day to be very proud.

Despite the expectation that the House and the Senate of the US Congress would have a difficult task ahead in reconciling their differences to get a bill passed, within a day - yes, a day - they have managed to reach an agreement.

After what we have seen in the last few months in Congress, this was a much needed moment - not just to have an agreement, but to show that democracy can work, people can be civil, have their differences, but find a middle ground, and find a middle ground quickly.

This video is worth watching: House, Senate Agree On "Right-Sized" Stimulus.

Listen for yourself because Senator Baucus (D) and Senator Snowe (R) get it (list not exclusive of select quotes):

• "this is the right thing to do"

• "much is expected from those to whom much is given"

• "all those who seek public office are expected by the people we represent to do the right thing, work together for them"

• "bill will create 3.5 million jobs"

• "turn the recession around"

• "showing people who have lost jobs we care, showing people who may lose jobs that we care"

• "showing the world that the US Government is standing up, is leading"

• "a lot of give and take to meet American's objectives"

• "gravity of circumstances"

• "consensus based solution"

• "critical time in our nation's history"

• "the question is what works for this country"

• "job creation"

• "assisting those displaced"

• "make investments in the jobs for future"

• "jumpstart this economy"

• "American people have the assurance that we can develop the solutions to make a profound difference at this very grave moment in time"
  

The legislation may not be perfect. No legislation is.

But these intentions, are as close to perfect as we will get.

Congress has done exactly what Congress exists to do. Well done!

Hip Hip Hooray for Democracy!

Image by ethanlindsey via Flickr

Tonight, thanks to all the Senate Democrats - especially Ted Kennedy who returned specifically for this vote - and Republicans Senators Olympia Snowe (Maine), Susan Collins (Maine) and Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania), the US and the world is one gigantic step closer to stability, closer to recovery, closer to job creation, and closer to the return of "normalcy".

Yes, tonight was the indicative vote on the Stimulus Bill but it was indicative that it would pass with 61 votes. Tomorrow is the real vote.

Whatever the motivations of the Republicans, they found something they could live with. They were willing to keep talking until they did, but did so quickly recognizing the urgency of the problem. Democracy did well tonight. And in all of US history, this period will be one of the most pivotal and the names Snowe, Collins and Specter will be recorded for having placed their priorities in the right place - at least trying to do something for the people.

After tomorrow, it will be up to the House to reconcile their differences. Let's hope for even more people who want to be on the right side of history. And let's hope for another good day for Democracy.