Not One Republican Vote in Favor of the Stimulus?

As I said yesterday, I'm not pleased with how the House Democratic leadership handled this legislation. That said, I did hear yesterday on NPR that Repulicans were not shut out of the drafting process. Rather, they decided to shut themselves out. Not sure if that's true but if it is then shame on them.

Given the size of this package does it really matter whether the split is 30% tax relief and 70% government spending or 40% tax relief and 60% government spending? I mean, 30% of $800 billion is a load of cash. John Boehner's comments about repairs of the Mall (part of that 70%) don't make sense to me. First, if the Mall needs sprucing up let's do it. If we spend several million on sod some American sod company (like Southern Turf) will get this contract and hire lots of guys to grow, transport and lay the sod. The same holds true for bridges, roads and other infrastructure. If public works projects, like bridge repair, are needed (just ask the folks who live in Minneapolis) then why shouldn't money be spent on them. I mean, we're not planning to build bridges to no where, are we?

Also, if the stimulus package includes upgrades for our power grid and paves the way for delivering alternative energy why shouldn't we do this? The economy needs the shove and the projects appear to be good, in the long-run for the country.

The GOP (and the Democratic leadership) need to stop acting like petulant children and get on with the business of governing.

DOES CONGRESS JUST NOT GET IT?

Just because I voted (mostly) for Democrats this past election doesn't mean that I reserve my anger for members of the GOP. These days the President appears to be somewhat like a kindergarten teacher; Speaker Pelosi, relishing Democratic control of the executive and legislative branches of government, has decided to not involve GOP members of the House in drafting the House version of the stimulus plan. John Boehner, upset at this, told House Republicans that they are not to vote for the stimulus plan and said this even before the President made his way to Capital Hill yesterday. Mitch McConnell (who barely won reelection) seems a little less indignant but . . . .

Of course I remember when the roles were reversed and Republican Senators (and Mr. Bush) smugly demanded an "up or down" vote on judicial nominees and I'm sure Democratic members of both the House and the Senate remember those days as well. So, I'll bet that we're seeing a little pay back here. Now, while the GOP should take their medicine the damn Democrats need to understand that in November Americans voted for change. We seem to be getting this from the President but we also need it from members of Congress. There is simply too much at stake for these turf battles to continue.