Thursday, December 16, 2010

BloggeRhythms 12/16/2010

Sometimes the best things come as complete surprises, and this year hard-working, realistic citizens may get more than they could ever wish for. Because, although I think it's highly unlikely and typical politico smoke and mirrors, there's talk that the government may shut altogether down due to infighting over next year's appropriations bill. And if government really does shut down, the nation's got a much better chance of survival.

The rub seems to be between politicians who want to see taxes raised on the rich, and those who want to get re-elected. Or, to put it another way, between those who want to see the country survive and those who want to bleed it dryer.

But what's really remarkable about so many of these low-life slimes who somehow ooze into office, is their incredible rhetoric. Because yesterday they were posturing, scheming and screaming about how the country can't afford to go on as it has, because there's no money, so taxes have to be raised. And then today, in an appropriations bill they're trying to bury billions and billions of pork to feather their own nests.

While all but eight Senate Republicans agreed to a two year ban on earmarks. A majority of Democrats did not. They voted down a proposed ban two weeks ago. So, the $1.1 trillion Senate omnibus bill contains 6,714 earmarks worth 8.3 billion dollars.

But, what's even more incredible is that the deal was worked out principally by Senator Dan Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii and Thad Cochran, Republican of Mississippi. These two guys are not only ranking members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, they're also the reigning kings of pork. In 2010, Cochran won 240 earmarks worth $490million, while Inouye sponsored or co-sponsored 151 programs worth $387 million.

This year's Inouye's earmarks include $21 million for Hawaiian Health Care, a $6 million wildlife refuge, a $3 million Hawaii National Guard drug program and a $5.5 million Joint Venture Education Center. As for Cochran, there's $21 million Gulf Coast Test Center, $5 million for a Natural Products Center, $4 million for a Large Structure Building Center and $3.4 million Anti Drug Center. So, that's 68.9 million dollars taken from earners all over the U.S. to line the pockets of special interests in only two states.

Now, I don't know about you, or how you feel when some con man gives you a story and then tries to steal everything you own, right down to your jockey shorts, but as for me...I really don't like it. And I know I'd feel much better if these guys walked up to me with a gun and said, "Give me everything you own." Because then I'd know who I was dealing with, right out in the open, and wouldn't have to listen to the bilge, the swill and the lies. I'd also be able to fight back. But these guys in Washington don't have the guts to thieve out in sunlight and show their faces, they'd rather rip you off in the dark then slink away into the night. And maybe that's why Congress has an approval rating of 16 percent, and sinking.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

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