Business as Usual: Troops Wait While Congress "Governs"
• A resolution expressing support for designation of June 2008 at "National Safety Month"
• A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the International Year of Sanitation
• Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
These are some of the critical issues our elected officials in the House of Representatives are working on this week.
What a colossal waste of time.
The war, the economy, foreclosures, global warming: America needs solutions, not more collectible coins. While it's nice to offer the mothers of America some nonbinding resolutions in their honor, I can assure you that they would prefer affordable health care for their kids.
Can you imagine if you did this at your job? I doubt you'd get away with it. It's like a pilot crashing a plane because he was too busy giving all the passengers their complimentary peanuts.
There is real work being done in Congress, of course. Proponents of a new GI Bill are beating back yet another effort by the Blue Dog Democrats to derail this crucial veterans' education legislation. In a classic case of being penny-wise, pound-foolish, some Blue Dogs are complaining that there isn't a budget offset for the GI Bill (a bill that will pay for itself in the long term), while signing off on another hundred-plus billion of war funding, none of which is offset.
If your Representative is on this list, call them and tell them to get their collective heads out of the sand and support our troops. The GI Bill is supposed to come up for a vote on Thursday - and if it doesn't, it will get pushed until next week.
What about Friday, you might ask? The House will be out of session. Guess they need a rest after a long 4-day week of doing the nation's business. Too bad our troops in Iraq working 24/7 don't get that kind of break.
Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff
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"some Blue Dogs are complaining that there isn't a budget offset for the GI Bill"
I am all for the GI Bill. But I don't see anything wrong with asking for a way to pay for it up front. Congress should be doing that with EVERY bill (yes, including war spending). Maybe the so-called progressives in Congress would be willing to sacrifice some of their pork spending, which continues unabated?
The Blue Dogs represent a few wealthy districts. I wonder how much pork THEY are engaged in.
"Local residents should not bear the burden of increased traffic, and local taxpayers can't afford the burden of funding alternatives, Israel added in the statement. Now, the federal government will help by providing funds that can lead to a meaningful regional plan to reduce congestion on Commack Road"
"Congressman Steve Israel has secured $400,000 in federal funds to study troublesome traffic patterns - and possible solutions - in western Suffolk County."
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I smell bacon. How fiscally unconservative. Traffic around the new mega-shopping centers must be a nuisance. Gee, this could have funded some education for our returning soldiers.
Blue Dogs need to go.
Have any of the more liberal Democrats proposed a way to pay for it? We'd all love to hear it.
Thanks for this post. Its disgusting they can't keep focused on issues of life or death. Keep up the good work, Paul.
Paul,
I watch you all the time on Countdown. You are a hero for fighting in that god-awful mess, and an even bigger hero for all of the stubborn, determined attention you bring to those poor men and women fighting in this nightmare. I am so impressed with your organization. I just want you to know that as far as I am concerned McCain's latest comments today just prove this man has no idea what is going on, and his refusal to vote for this bill is inexcusable. I know he is a vet, but there is a big difference when you never see actual combat, you fly over in a jet. Yes, he was a prisoner of war and he more than anyone should understand the need for this bill to pass. I want all of the troops out of that country as soon as possible. 5-6 tours of 15+ months is asking more of a human being than should ever be forced on anyone. I have already written letters to my Congressman, and Senators. Please tell what I can do to help you. I am beyond disgust with both Bush and McCain. Thank you for your service and thank you for the help you give to all of the vets who are coming home mentally and physically destroyed. They deserve every single thing they were promised. Period.
Ok people it's time for all of us to get our collective heads out of our collective nether regions. For those of you praying for a dem majority because they'll magically fix your life, GROW UP. Take a look at what the dems have accomplished for you in the last 2 years since they gained control.
Now take a look at what will happen if they get to have TOTAL control. Anybody remember the war the dems voted for? You don't really think they're going to just up and leave do you? Why do you think they're voting for funding for it?
But hey, in just about all the bills passed the last 2 years the dems DID MANAGE to stick in either an amnesty for illegal immigrants or a rise in the number of tech workers. How many of you DID want them to do that?
Let's see.......
What are they doing that we want and tell them to do every single effing day?
At least Paul sees it and so do some others. It's not the republicans or the democrats.
Agree. There are more similarities between Democratic and Republican politicians than differences. They both like money and power, and they both want to avoid rocking the boat so they can keep their jobs.
And it's election year and we're hearing more *empty promises* from both sides.
It's a plain as the nose on my nose that they're all in it together and they're covering each other's back.
Ethics reform for members of Congress??
Obviously they don't know what ethics are anymore.
Okay, I'll admit that the Dems have not been as good as any of us had hoped, but don't act like the Democrats are the only ones who get a vote in Congress. Don't act like any bill that accomplished what we want wouldn't get vetoed by the Republican President.
That's the whole purpose of our system of government, it forces a compromise between the majority party in Congress and the minority party, it forces a compromise between the Legislative and the Executive (unless there's a veto/filibuster proof majority, keeping my fingers crossed for 08). Now, if Republicans were honestly working to make this country better, this wouldn't be so bad. But when you have when party (the GOP) actively working to make government WORSE, and one party actively working to make government BETTER (Democrats), what you end up with are these small-time reforms, these baby-steps toward progress.
The solution? Elect more Democrats.
You go Paul! Thanks for your attention to the matter.
While I am a post 9/11-vet that strongly supports the new GI Bill, I have already paid the remaining cost of my school out of pocked (AKA student loans). I am almost finished with my school, so am willing to bet that I will finish school before the new GI Bill comes into effect.
But thank you for your dedication on behalf of the vets that will actually get to use the new GI Bill (once congress gets off their a$$).
Congress has no intention of doing anything really
important, like looking into "high crimes and misdemeanors"
of this Administration. No, they are waiting for the new President.
They don't need information on any "secret" deal to keep troops
in Iraq on permanent bases, with unlimited power. They don't
believe that this administration would even think about military
action in Iran. They didn't read the Kyle-Lieberman act, the
NSPD-35, CONPLAN 8022, HR 1955, HR 5104, or NSPD-51.
Anyone else read the Tim Dickinsin article in the latest Rolling Stone? Goggle it. It is a damning indiciment against Sen. Chuck Schumer and other Democrats. Rich is rich, baby. The rich are not on our side no matter what party they are in. And another thing... The reason the Democrats won't pull the Bush Administration in front of congress for impeachment or for any other reason is because so many of them knew EXACTLY what was going on both with domestic spying and at Guantanimo. Diane Finestien and Chuck Shcumer are two on that list.
Congress has no morals, I would be ashamed to take money, and pay raises for a job that only stood in the way of progress. I vote against any one already in office, they obviously didn't do their job,and no promises were kept. The days of blindly re electing the same crooks and liars are over. Change is on the horizon, term limits for congress and senators should be two terms, with no more than that. America can't afford to fall farther behind the rest of the world. our educational system no longer works, 50% graduation rates? our military disgruntled because of lies and half truths made in promises when they joined. And Lobbyists paying to get favors from those we elected, Lobbyists have too long dictated the direction of congress and America, We need to take back what we have lost, Email your elected officials, lets put a referendum on Novembers ballot, impeach all those taking lobby money. Pay raises will be given on performance not with out the public voting on it. Either everyone gets health care or no one in government gets it. i agree re elect no one.
Every blue dog needs to go because they are more the problem than the solution to issues like this. It's time to have a Democratic party that is more interested in unity of purpose than this "big tent" nonsense of including every putz with any position they feel like. A big tent should mean a wide variety of people with the same purpose. Not a bunch of cats to heard around.
NO every incumbent needs to go.
Yup.
Unless they get their asses in gear and pass the GI bill, they're all gonna go.
It's that kind of attitude that has made the Democrats LOSERS for so long. Wake up
Politico.c
Politico.c
With Memorial Day around the corner, Sen. John McCain and his allies are reaching out to Virginia Democratic Sen. Jim Webb in the hope of finding a compromise on a GI Bill that would eliminate a potential embarrassment for the Arizona Republican’s presidential campaign.
The action comes as House Democrats consider new options for the GI Bill, including a surtax on the very wealthy aimed at paying for the expanded education benefits ****and placating deficit-conscious Blue Dog conservatives in the party.****
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THAT's the attitude that made Dems lose. We need to lose THEM. We have a deficit problem, need to pay for global wars & pork. "Blue Dogs" can't seem to get their lips off of John McCain's rear long enough to join REAL Dems to fund it appropriately.
They have to go. Vote them out.
All this falls under reasons to stop re electing the same fools. It is closing in on another election. Members of Congress have always side stepped any responsibility when they need votes. More so than the rest of their terms.
With their approval ratings already at an all time low no one has the guts to actually get caught doing something about national problems. They can't please everyone so they don't try to please anyone.
When members of Congress avoid work to avoid responsibility they might as well not show up. It is time to vote them out of office and try another set, in the off chance we might find someone willing to do their jobs and work for "We, the People".
Tired of the same crap session after session? Click my profile...
In the mean time don't expect much from Congress. What have they done in the past but help the administration screw us up and drag us into debt?
We support you on LI- I made sure to contact Rep Israel on this issue, as well as Hillary and Charles Shumer.
Paul – As a proud “Navy Nuke” and veteran of both Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, I feel indebted to you for your relentless and passionate work. Keep at it. Bravo Zulu.
How is it they can piss 300 billion down the hole in Pentagon over-spending- when a fraction of that can go to vets and their families.
- money that is going to essentially war-crafting wishing wells for ordnance and technology that hasn't been invented yet.
It's all about fear- fear that the gravy train is reaching it's final destination.
Yes indeed.
To hell with the troops, we want our money - more accurately YOUR money.
Disgraceful.
Paul, you're the best!
I just wrote my representative (David Scott of GA), and reminded him in the letter that during the run-up to the war he expressed disappointment in the black citizens of his district for not being patriotic and supporting the President in this conflict. I asked him to show HIS patriotism now by supporting our soldiers.
I still won't vote for his a$$ in the elections. I'm voting for his opponent in the primary, and will log a no vote in the general election. No one gets to question my patriotism without a challenge. I saw enough of that after participating in the mess in Central America back in the 80's.
President Obama should name PAUL REICKHOFF HEAD OF THE VA!
JP
If he's qualified. Or if Clarke doesn't want a cabinet position, he could be a great fit for that position. The head of the VA should be someone who cares about soldiers, and understands what they have been through.
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