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Subscribe to RSSThe House goes first -- again... "The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a massive restructuring to the nation’s financial laws last night, but the Senate canceled plans to vote on the legislation this week after Senator Scott Brown said he was not ready to pledge support for the measure. The House, voting 237 to 192, capped an intense, yearlong debate spearheaded by Representative Barney Frank, who was hailed with handshakes, hugs, and applause from Democrats after the vote. The new legislation would bolster consumer protections, create an oversight council, and restrict financial institutions from making some of the risky maneuvers that contributed to the near-collapse of the economy in 2008."
Roll Call: "With the Senate failure of an unemployment benefits bill and the fate of a major financial reform bill in peril, Democrats appeared to be limping into the July Fourth recess with less to brag about than they had hoped."
The AP: "Sen. Robert C. Byrd is making his final sojourn to a Senate chamber that for 51 years echoed with his impassioned speeches and came to be the place he called home. Byrd, who died Monday at age 92, was to lie in repose for six hours in the Senate chamber, his casket resting on the Lincoln Catafalque, a bier that was built for the coffin of Abraham Lincoln."
But Senate cameras apparently won't be there to capture it, The Hill reports.
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Nancy Pelosi proves yet again she can whip her House into action getting the much needed financial reform package passed. Such a pity that the dopes of nope watered down the bill in order to protect their corrupt conservative big banking corporate masters. I hope Manchin picks a replacement for Senator Byrd soon so Harry Reid has one more Democratic vote to work with. A real shame that the party of sore losers is playing more petty partisan political games instead of doing what's right for the country.
I agree Eric, but we can take solace in the fact that, at least THIS time, the GOP seems to be attracting a lot more attention than they might like. The bright spotlights have now been directed towards those dark, gloomy, smoke-filled back rooms of Congress where the dirty deals are done and our grandchildren's futures are mortgaged to the hilt by those that would apologize to the company that is despoiling the Gulf.
This election cycle gives me hope in that even the right wing media is now forced to address the truths that are slipping out and now emanating from even the GOP LEADERS that show their deep contempt for average Americans and our contributions to this nation. If you cannot provide a massive campaign check, they have no interest in you and will sell your interests to the highest corporate bidder. Let's reestablish our democracy this November!
Sen. Brown after getting all the special deals that he wanted is pulling his support of the bill that he previously supported. Here we go again, a bunch of repugs that first support the bill, get what they want just to say NO in the end. When is Harry going to understand that the sole mission in life for the right is to block everything that our President does and then label him a failure come 2012. THese guys just sink lower and lower everyday. They stalled the unemployment bill as well. The unemployed were labeled as Hobo's, Lazy and as of yesterday Spoiled as well. It just goes on and on.
Maybe some senators support the bill to begin with and then vote no in the end because in the end the Democrats sneak stuff in in the middle of the night.
KLM,
The stuff "snuck in in the middle of the night" is not being sneaked in and it is being done right on the floor of Congress. The Democrats weakened and eliminated provisions to attempt to get the GOP to work with them on a compromise. Of course, the GOP picked up their ball and jacks and went home anyway because they don't like that we won and now WE get to make the rules for a while...
It's my understanding that some of the GOP withdrew their support because the Dems snuck in a huge tax. Not because some immature folks sit back and scream "we won."
Is anyone surprised that the Republicans did not vote for the Financial Reform Bill?
My concern is for the millions of Americans who will lose their unemployment benefits because of the heartless Senate Republicans. I heard a story yesterday that made me cry. A young single woman lost her job, she could not pay her rent and was forced to move into the basement of her parents home. She spends her time on the computer searching for a job, any job. She has cut herself off from her friends and family because she is so despondent. Is she suicidal, some say yes and they are watching her carefully. If this woman does anything drastic, the Republicans share the blame. Tears are streaming down my face as I write this post.
Dottie,
Much as I share your empathy for that poor woman and all the others in a similar state of affairs, your words are lost on the GOP members of Congress and those on this board that will cheer their every vote to block the work this country needs done. These people have no heart, no empathy, no human emotions at all.
In order to be good in business, one must develop a sense of ruthlessness and drive that does not accept defeat and does not consider emotion or human suffering as part of the equation. If there are profits to be made, shutter the plant, idle the workers, sell off the equipment, hire labor at a fraction of the original cost, and send the fat dividend checks to all of the country club members that help us keep the gravy train rolling. That is all they see. The balance sheet is their scorecard and the bottom line the only numbers that count to them.
We are only statistics regarding productivity and how much profit we take away from the shareholders with our stupid and constant needs for things like a raise or a decent set of benefits. If they could go back to the days of indentured servants, I have no doubt the GOP would queue up to provide the votes for it. On the other hand, if you want to offer some measure of sustenance to the millions out of work due to corporate greed and government complicity, they will stand in unison and flip the bird to those about to be living on the street. They are too busy about to eliminate the estate tax to give even MORE trillions of dollars to the fat cats that have yet to feel the pinch of a downward spiral in the economy.
Heartless, uncaring people. So, people starve, loss their homes, loss their self respect, so, who cares say the Repugs. I've got mine. Big bucks salary, lots of perks, your problems aren't mine.
Don't we have soup kitchens anymore? Where's the Salvation Army when you need them. My my, what have we become.
The republicans are good Christians, they are for family values, and they are patriotic real Americans.
I can't understand why you can't understand that being homeless and starving is actualy the best thing for you, your children, and our nation. Democrats just don't get it.
California Tom,
We have reverted to the time of Dickens and A Christmas Carol. Sad but true. We've come so far and yet have no more empathy, no more good will than Scrooge and Marley. Well...at least the Repugs among us.
Ginger-
How true.
The Poor - we have no bread. The GOP - let them eat cake.
The Poor - can I have some more soup please? The GOP - NO.
And they wonder why we detest them, idiots.
You are so right Forrest! Why can't the Left just accept and finally see that ending unemployment is in the long term best interests of this nation. Once they are off the government teat, they will become discouraged, live on the streets and they will either die an early and horrible death or they will simply starve to death. Granted, it WILL be a bit awkward and uncomfortable for a whi8le as they slowly waste away to nothing and we WILL need to maneuver around them at the entrances to grocery stores and restaurants and all. But, do not despair. in time, these lazy, good for nothing moochers will finally die off and we can then reap the benefits of a greater society without all those leeching left wing crybabies always looking for a handout.
After all the rich folk get things squared away and have eliminated all those pesky labor people, they can sit around and smoke their fat cigars and wonder where all the customers went and why their businesses are not doing so well anymore. Then they can move to AZ and debate why that state's economy dried up without the steady stream of unwashed masses to do the dirty and thankless jobe THEY would NEVER do for ANY amount of money.
These people make me sick.
It is sick, they don't give a damn, they don't care what they destroy, the economy, lives, the environment, and all in the name of God and Patriotism.
CA Tom,
I have a feeling that even if all the ghosts appeared to these modern day Scrooge & Marley's every single night of the week none of them would care. Even Scrooge & Marley "saw the light"--Scrooge sooner, Marley too late. The Repugs have taken "Are there no work houses?" to a whole new level.
We have befouled the earth, marginalized the poor...there are times when I find myself eagerly anticipating the sound of Gabriel's horn. :)