For All of You John Kerry Fans out there (538 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: -0.3 on 15 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by acrog (View user info) at 2004-05-14 11:11:45 EDT
I'm not a huge fan of George Bush or anything, but I don't see a better choice this November.
Here's a good example of why.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/business/story/5063012p-4990803c.html
Cantwell's jobless bill fails by 1 vote
This story was published Wednesday, May 12th, 2004
By Les Blumenthal Herald Washington, D.C., bureau
WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Tuesday rejected by a single vote Sen. Maria Cantwell's amendment to provide extended federal unemployment benefits to 47,000 Washington workers and more than 1 million others nationwide.
The vote came as the chamber moved toward passage of a $170 billion corporate tax bill that would benefit Boeing, Microsoft and other U.S. exporters and help defuse a mounting trade dispute with the European Union.
Cantwell, D-Wash., sought to attach her amendment to the tax bill, but the Republican-controlled Senate rejected it on a 59-40 vote. The amendment required 60 votes to overcome objections it violated budget guidelines.
"It's really disappointing," said Cantwell, who has repeatedly over the past several months sought to convince the Senate to extend the benefits.
Cantwell said she ran into a Republican leadership that was determined to defeat her amendment. She said she hadn't decided what comes next.
"It took a lot to get this vote, to get the momentum," she said.
The only senator who missed the vote was Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, who was campaigning in Kentucky. But the decisive vote against the amendment was apparently cast by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., who had earlier told Cantwell he supported extending federal unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks.
During debate, Republicans insisted the additional benefits weren't needed because the economy was recovering, unemployment was down and 900,000 new jobs had been created since the first of the year.
"The economy is strong, the recovery is real and no amount of political rhetoric can change that," said Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah.
But Cantwell scolded her colleagues for backing corporate tax cuts while forgetting about American workers who have lost their jobs. Cantwell said the tax bill would provide $3 billion in tax credits for the oil and gas industry, $2.3 billion for the coal industry, $451 for bourbon distillers, $233 for cruise ship companies and $4 million for archery manufacturers.
Nationwide, Cantwell said, more than 1.5 million workers had exhausted their unemployment benefits since December.
"They are going into bankruptcy, defaulting on their mortgages, they aren't able to afford health insurance," said Cantwell. "Where are the priorities of my colleagues?"
This may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but to me it shows a lack of reponsibility, and a lack of focus. I know Kerry is busy with his campaign and all, but if this is something he claims to be for, then he really dropped the ball on this one.
What other important issues will he get side tracked from if he makes it into office.
I know I'll get flamed for this, but I really am just interested in what the pro-Kerry folks around here think about this.
You may not give a shit, but I thought it was quite interesting.
User Reviews
Submitted by DenDen (user info) at 2004-05-15 08:49:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell is a traitor.
Submitted by sence (user info) at 2004-05-14 15:56:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
You sir are a moron!
Submitted by acrog (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:50:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
If he abstained from voting because he did not want to take a stance on it in an election year, that I can understand. If he missed it because he was too busy campaigning then he's a dolt.
From what I have read, he was for it.
Submitted by acrog (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:47:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Actions speak louder than words.
To me it makes it seem like he is more interested in his own agenda and success than the country's.
Submitted by itchy (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:32:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
As much as I despise Kerry, it sounds like Nighthorse Campbell from Colorado is the one who screwed him. I read it as saying that Nighthorse Campell WAS going to vote for it, so they knew it would have the requisite number of votes, so Kerry took off, then Nighthorse Campbell changed his mind. Oops. That's what Kerry gets for trusting a Republican I guess. Mo-ron.
Damn this honesty complex I have!
Submitted by dohnuts (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:28:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Congressmen miss the vote on bills they support way more often than you would probably think.
Happens all the time. And per Loki's review, I'm more troubled by the people who defeated the bill intentionally.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:26:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
The key issue here is "he MAY have been the deciding vote". Who's to say that he would have voted for the amendment?
I'd like him less if he DID vote for it because the amendment was to give a handout with my tax dollars.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:25:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
http://www.ubersite.com/m/28015
note the picture at the end
Submitted by lawryde (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:24:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
God I hate slowlyrotting... he's a fucking cop, a fucking frat boy, and a fucking republican
Submitted by acrog (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:21:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
And ,Loki, I don't really have a position on the actual bill.
That part is irrelivant to my point.
My point is, Kerry said he was for this bill or whatever, but then doesn't show for the vote and it fails because of his one vote.
Irresponsible.
Submitted by Tackey at 2004-05-14 11:20:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
George W? Been there, it sucked. John Kerry? Can it really get any worse? Anyone but Bush 2004.
Submitted by acrog (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:18:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
No that's not what I'm saying, Loki.
Is it a factor in who I decide to vote for? well, Yes.
Is it the only factor? of course not.
I just found this situation troubling. I just want to hear the opinions of others on this.
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:17:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
I wish it was November because I am bored with these posts.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:14:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
So what you are saying is that you are going to refuse to vote for someone because he missed a senate vote and instead cast your ballot for the people who defeated it intentionally?
what?
Submitted by slowlyrotting (user info) at 2004-05-14 11:14:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
me & dubya do cocaine together. and then he lets me do him in the pooper.
so i'm voting for bush!