"Ass-Backwards" Auto Bailout Deal Will Get Filibuster, Says Senator

The Associated Press reports that Senator David Vitter of Louisiana has a particularly strong opinion of the proposed auto bailout deal:

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., promised to filibuster the measure, which could delay a final vote for days.

He said the package has an "ass-backwards" approach to curing what ails the U.S. auto industry -- giving carmakers money immediately, and only later demanding that they restructure.

Senator Richard Shelby of neighboring Alabama has also been an outspoken opponent of any government aid to the auto industry, inspiring one automaker sympathizer to attempt to organize an Alabama boycott.

Comments

[charmedgreenquark]

"Neighboring Alabama"? Where did Mississippi go?

[maxfax]

Only one a s s in that picture.

[hchriste]

They did vote themselves a $5000.00 a year cost of living wage effective Jan1, 2009, and are voting a cost of living increase for Federal Judges? Most state and city employees are getting a freeze or cut along with the auto industry, what is with the Congress? Time to freeze their pay and freeze any pay raises. Auto workers may be over paid but they produce something, Congress on the other hand is over paid and produces nothing.

[watchTVgetSTUPID]

Time to relocate all military bases from states that vote against saving the auto industry. Money talks and those same states complaining about a mere $14 billion loan to save a million jobs should not receive government funds from military bases employing tens of thousands.

[MomfromTexas]

Gee, I wonder why Shelby is so against helping the Big 3?

http://nepalstudycenter.unm.edu/MissPdfFiles/alabama-car-industryNLIssue3_06_pdf.pdf

[rich misty]

Bush, the GOP and the Republicans are cheering the demise of enemy #1: America and Americans

[watchTVgetSTUPID]

Let us remember that when the chips were down, the Republicans fought tooth and nail to destroy the American auto industry.

They created $5 a gallon gas
They created a credit crisis
They created a recession
They created unfair trade agreements forcing local industry to compete against $1 hour labor from Asia

All these brought the auto industry to its knees Now they fight to finish off the economy starting in Michigan Ohio and indiana. The rest will follow.

[rich misty]

Then, blame it all on Obama and Democrats!!!!!

[Artemis34]

Can you really believe this? He is threatening a Republican filibuster because he actually can. Dems haven't had a filibuster proof majority in 20 years. And I guess with Ol' Saxby's win in GA Dems still won't have a filibuster proof majority.

So sorry "Rich" Mist, can't lay this one on the Dems.

[marijam]

Anti-American worker, economic traitors all. Boycott their states and boycott foreign autos that are made in their states.

[BOBONDE]

THANKS FOR THE MESS REPUBLICANS, THE LOANS THE AUTO COMPANIES NEED ARE BEING HELD UP BY THE ANTI-WORKER, ANTI-MIDDLE CLASS GOP PARTY, THANKS TO THEM EVEN JOBS LIKE JANITORS AND GARBAGE TRUCK JOBS WILL END UP BEING HARD TO GET!

[marijam]

Don't you know? According to one of "their" economists flipping a hamburger is an act of manufacturing - yeah, the industrial base of McDonald's and foreign auto companies.

[Artemis34]

I saw one town major on TV recently saying, "they closed the auto plant but it is okay because we opened a mall."

To that I ask "But who will shop there?"

Incredible that they can't distinguish true valued added.

[proudliberal4truth]

Let them filibuster. Only let's actually MAKE them stand up for hours and talk, just like in the old days of real filibustering! The Dems need to quit shaking in their collective boots about threats to filibuster and force one to actually happen.

[MajorKong]

I thought filibusters were bad? Up or down vote! Up or down vote! Nuclear option!

[KillTheMessenger]

That was on the other side of the mirror.

:-)

[rich misty]

Filibusters are only unethical when Democrats are in the minority and start one.

[Nova16]

There has to be a solution to the auto loan controversy. Maybe linking it to the future demise of NASCAR may get an agreement. If the rednecks have nothing to watch, there could be enough pressure put on the southern republicans to come to their senses.

[PacificGatePost]

BAILOUTS are complex, but Try something outside the box like this to save the U.S. Auto Industry - - -

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/11/solution-for-detroit-gm-friends.html

Don't do what Congress is doing now. That changes nothing.

[patrickinparis]

Wow Mr. Vitter! You didn't think to do much for New Orleans either.

[watchTVgetSTUPID]

Next time a Hurricane smashes through the Republican South, don't expect a bailout from Uncle Sam. We should name the Hurricane General Sherman.

We will tell them they should just be forced to be cost effective by moving everything 50 miles away from all coast lines .

[littlepuffycloud]

He has no respect for himself or the U.S. Senate. How dare he use the term for his favorite position on the floor of the Senate. Wonder why he hates America so much.

[JoeBlough]

Toilet training issues?