And we have said they were wrong then.

 

On your point, does one's past actions mean they cannot change their actions and understand that this country is going down a spending path that is going to doom it? Because of past actions are they never allowed to change their philosophy/present day actions?

 

No it doesn't but it is very hypocritical to do so on your way out the door when hard working people are out of work and in bad situations. I'm not saying he has to vote for it, just let it get out of cloture so it can be voted on. The consititution was very clear on what needed a 2/3rds majority vote and it wasn't every bill.

The story no one is hearing is how Bunning got screwed by Harry Reid, and is simply standing his ground.

 

The Senate has much more structured rules than the House, if and when they adhere to them… including the days in which roll call votes will be allowed.

 

The Dems recently passed, and had been touting, paygo legislation. It was their big move to show how fiscally responsible they are… as they are spending us into oblivion. Bunning had an amendment to introduce Wednesday that would force congress to specify funds that would off-set added expenses AND strongly urged that the funds be taken from the billions in unspent stimulus monies.

 

They Dems did not even want this amendment discussed because they want to hang onto the stimulus money for unspecified use. Reid also had a plan that would take the $10 billion presently at issue and stretch it to $100 billion over the next 10 years, essentially just adding that much more to the deficit.

 

Knowing Bunning’s intent, Reid called for a vote by unanimous consent to prevent Bunning introducing or even discussing his amendment to the PayGo legislation. This blindsided Mr. Bunning, and made him quite angry. One of the Senate rules allows any member to block any vote, as long as he maintains continuous ongoing control of the floor during the stated hours of that session. Usually, filibusters are planned by several members, who temporarily "yield" the floor to each other in succession. Since JB was blindsided, he had no one planned to relieve him and has conducted a one man, three day filibuster. Not bad for a 70 something dude with conviction.

 

The key point is that Bunning is entirely okay with extending benefits, yada, yada, he simply thinks his greater responsibility is to those of us picking up the tab. He thinks Congress should be clear about where the money will be derived. Congress is spending us into a black hole we will never get out of if something doesn’t change. Thank God somebody in DC is willing to do what is right regardless of the consequences and the piling on by deceitful politicians and a robotic press.

 

If there was one journalist with a truly neutral POV and the screws to dig into this just a little bit, he would be a certain candidate for a Pulitzer Prize for revealing the corruption and gamesmanship in DC.

Maybe my cousin can borrow some money to pay for his son's little league fees from Mr. Bunning, or since he has now had to put off buying new tires for his car, maybe Mr. Bunning will send a check to cover the cost of a new tire or two since my cousin's wife will now work more hours at her job and need the car more.

 

Mr. Bunning's conviction (some call it stubborness) isn't going to help my cousin much. And it likely wont help my aunt and uncle much either since they will likely have to loan some money to their son.

 

Of course, Bunning is only popular in the Golden Triangle where unemployment rates are a third to a fourth what they are in other parts of the state. And he's popular on this board for obvious reasons so I'm sure I'm preaching to the wall.

 

But, the good part is Mr. Bunning's pension won't be affected and I'm sure his payments will never be held up by someone else's "convictions" (some call it stubborness).

A few thoughts.

 

First, Mr. Bunning has a point.

Second, his past behaviour makes his current point suspect.

Third, regardless of his action, the extension will eventually pass with strong support from both parties.

Fourth, since the bill will pass regardless of Mr. Bunning's delays, he is messing with the lives of hundreds of thousands (millions?) of people to make a point and induldge his tantrum. Vote against the bill if that is what you want to do, but get out of the way. Many have made the point that the government highway inspectors that were sent home will get their back pay. That is likely true. What about the workers at the construction projects that were shut down? They work for private contractors. They won't get paid. It is a tough time to be in construction and the bad weather this winter has made that even worse. The Senators tantrum has real effects on real people.

Maybe my cousin can borrow some money to pay for his son's little league fees from Mr. Bunning, or since he has now had to put off buying new tires for his car, maybe Mr. Bunning will send a check to cover the cost of a new tire or two since my cousin's wife will now work more hours at her job and need the car more.

 

Mr. Bunning's conviction (some call it stubborness) isn't going to help my cousin much. And it likely wont help my aunt and uncle much either since they will likely have to loan some money to their son.

 

Of course, Bunning is only popular in the Golden Triangle where unemployment rates are a third to a fourth what they are in other parts of the state. And he's popular on this board for obvious reasons so I'm sure I'm preaching to the wall.

 

But, the good part is Mr. Bunning's pension won't be affected and I'm sure his payments will never be held up by someone else's "convictions" (some call it stubborness).

 

If your cousin's son is seriously in jeopardy of being able to participate in Little League this year because of a lack of fees... you can PM me and I'll be more than happy to help pay his Little League fees. I'm serious about that. That's what friends and neighbors USED TO DO for each other.

 

I don't doubt there are hundreds of thousands of sad stories out there. I just don't see how spending more money we don't have is remotely defensible as a wise maneuver. There are billions already appropriated (even though we don't have that money either ) and sitting on ice that could and should be used to offset the misery here and now, instead of being reserved as a giant pork laden election war chest that will be dished out prior to November. Just watch and see.

 

Bunning is being unfairly tarred and feathered for something the entire Congress should be doing.

I agree that there is corruption in Washington. I agree Congress should be doing a better job. But this issue and the thousands (maybe millions) of people whose lives will be disrupted doesn't appear to be the best way to make your point.

 

It's like a guy who blows up the section of road in front of his house because there were potholes there and no one ever fixed them. Yes, the potholes will of course have to be fixed now but what about the people who have to take a much longer road to get where they are going. Blowing up the road shined the biggest light on the problem but may not have been the best way to go about it. The potholes have always been there and will be there soon after the new road is paved.

 

I just think there are other issues he can rail on to prove a point and affect fewer people. And still not get to miss any UK games.

I agree that there is corruption in Washington. I agree Congress should be doing a better job. But this issue and the thousands (maybe millions) of people whose lives will be disrupted doesn't appear to be the best way to make your point.

 

It's like a guy who blows up the section of road in front of his house because there were potholes there and no one ever fixed them. Yes, the potholes will of course have to be fixed now but what about the people who have to take a much longer road to get where they are going. Blowing up the road shined the biggest light on the problem but may not have been the best way to go about it. The potholes have always been there and will be there soon after the new road is paved.

 

I just think there are other issues he can rail on to prove a point and affect fewer people. And still not get to miss any UK games.

Kinda puts into perspective why we are fools to entrust our livelihoods to a handful of political partisans in DC.

 

Bigger government is not the answer for America reaching her full potential and being the shining light to the world.

Neither are political parties. Makes me respect people like Evan Bayh who realize the system is broken and will likely never be fixed.

Neither are political parties. Makes me respect people like Evan Bayh who realize the system is broken and will likely never be fixed.

So to deal with it he quits?

 

Can't say as I blame him actually. That's why I never ran in the first place. I wish Pelosi was actually serious about draining the swamp.

 

You are correct, there are too many in DC with agenda driven axes to grind that have nothing to do with what's best for the country... only what's best for them and their special interests.

I listened to Bunnings speech live and Harry Rieds comments and the commentary analysis.

 

The bottom line of what I heard is that this bill is being declared an 'emergency' and should be added to the deficiet and does not have to apply to the Pay-Go law congress passed. So it is another deficiet adding bill.

 

Is Bunning grandstanding? Yep. Is the bill going to get passed? Yep. Is Bunning against the contents? Nope.

 

I think Bunning wants the pound of flesh from everyone for passing this 'emergency' bill that is not a real 'emergency'. As I have posted here in other threads. The bottom has not been reached. NO ONE, including Congress and White House should be surprised that layoffs and still occuring and that jobs are being lost each month. This is no real 'emergency'. It could have and should have been planned for months ago. But the ' stimulus' rose colored glasses were thick. Now its an 'emergency'.

 

Take some of the $4 Billion going to ACORN...that should cover it.

Look, it's not that I disagree with Bunning that there shouldn't be a plan in place to pay for the extended benefits.

 

My issue is that while Bunning is either exacting revenge on Reid or taking some sort of "stand" millions of unemployed people AND their families are going to suffer. The system sucks. Period. It doesn't matter whether he's right or wrong, or if this were even an issue, unemployment as a system sucks because it's only intended to be a stop-gap measure. The fact of the matter is that while the economy is in the shape it is, and people aren't able to find work, or find work that will pay the bills, it is needed.

 

Bunning's stand is going to have a profound negative effect on these families, and as a consequence, our welfare rolls are going to swell. The people will qualify for a different kind of aid, and as is in evidence throughout this forum, no one wants that.

 

I agree funding needs to be determined. I don't agree that taking a stand on this particular point in anyway points to any integrity on the part of Bunning, who's state is among the leaders in unemployment.

Take some of the $4 Billion going to ACORN...that should cover it.

 

Not this again?

Which was prior to the Paygo Bill.

 

Oh, now I see. That must have been why he stood by for all those years while we spent and refunded money we didn't have. He needed a law to tell him not to do it. It does show though that PayGo is already working.

They better figure something out. It's not 1929 and people won't sit around and watch their families starve.

Oh, now I see. That must have been why he stood by for all those years while we spent and refunded money we didn't have. He needed a law to tell him not to do it. It does show though that PayGo is already working.

 

I agree 100% with PayGo. It is not a new concept though.

 

It it is very similar to the policy used by Newt's congress during the Clinton years. And was one of the biggest reasons for the budget being so good.

 

I would think that other past lawmakers have used the same concept also.