After Backing Massive Wall Street Bailout, McConnell Plans To Block Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan
After Backing Massive Wall Street Bailout, McConnell Plans To Block Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan
President-elect Obama has made it clear that one of his first priorities when he takes office will be an economic stimulus package that could reach around $800 billion. Top economists have said that such investment — in areas such as infrastructure, health care, energy, and education — is essential for boosting the economy. As Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman has stated, the “risks of being too small are much bigger than the risks of being too big.”
Despite the urgency after eight years of the Bush administration doing nothing, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is now saying that he and his fellow conservatives are in no rush to provide this important economic relief and plan to put the brakes to attempts to quickly pass a package. From a statement he issued yesterday:
As of right now, Americans are left with more questions than answers about this unprecedented government spending, and I believe the taxpayers deserve to know a lot more about where it will be spent before we consider passing it.
According to the Washington Post, McConnell has also “called for a weeklong cooling off period between when the bill is drafted and when it is voted on, allowing time to dissect it for signs of ‘fraud and waste.’” Conservatives have the power to filibuster the legislation if they oppose it.
McConnell, however, had no problem quickly passing President Bush’s Wall Street bailout, even though that package had almost no oversight safeguards. In fact, as McClatchy reported, McConnell “led the battle” to pass the bill.
McConell also opposed Congress’s rescue package for auto workers, arguing that he couldn’t “ask the American taxpayer to subsidize failure” and using it as a political opportunity to bash unions.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Good, Mitch, keep it up. If you and the obstructionist Repignofascist Party persist in this, its at your own peril. The nation is in a serious enough economic debacle brought on by 8 years of Bush, that even the in-bred, corn pone eatin, Budweiser drinkin, NASCAR watchin, Rush lovin fools who make up the bulk of the Repignofascist Party now, will see it for what it is. After you impede this stimulus package can we go directly to the 2010 Congressional elections? Please???
December 30th, 2008 at 8:44 amThe GOPukes are going to block, obstruct, interfere everything that might alleviate the pain felt by the people, if it can in any way be construed to cast a favorable light on the Dims.
The pukes cannot throw-out Obama–in ‘12, probably–if he and the Dims can be successful in addressing the wreckage of the country left behind by the Booosheviks.
So the Pukes will do everything they can to prevent it. And there’s nothing anybody can do about it…
December 30th, 2008 at 8:46 amMary McConnell makes my ass ache on this and every other issue he bleats on. Only Kentuckians with little access but their filtered tv “news” could re-elect such crap/hypocrisy as this.
Come into the sunshine and out of the closet, Mary!
December 30th, 2008 at 8:46 amHow’s that coal sludge cleanup going, Mitch?
December 30th, 2008 at 8:47 amOr haven’t your coal company masters told you yet?
I agree with Curlew’s sentiment in that this legislation will have a very high profile. It is up to citizens like us to ensure that obstruction of this kind receives the kind of publicity it deserves.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:48 amThey failed as leaders with a majority and they will be damned if the other party shows them up. What a group of worthless fools. It is a shame that it takes so long for their complete demise.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:56 amMary thinks he ’s got a mandate from his re-election. The guy’s entitlement concept knows no bounds.
The hell. Folks down home in ol’ Kentuck who have their ears glued to Rush every day would wet their undies knowing all that can be known re: your extras, Mitch…
December 30th, 2008 at 8:56 amwhy would these republiscums support anything american? they show nothing but scorn for our vets, despise the american worker, love the saudis even though the majority of 9-11 attackers were saudi.
why should these assclowns support a BRIDGE LOAN (as oppossed to free and clear bailout money like Wall Street got) for american auto companies when they’re sucking from the teat of foreign auto makers in their disctricts?
December 30th, 2008 at 9:12 amhttp://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=ind_focus.story&STORY=/www/story/12-12-2008/0004941281&EDATE=
Curiously when you go to Mitch McConnell’s Senate Website
December 30th, 2008 at 9:15 amhttp://mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm to send him a comment as a constituent (I am not a constituent but pulled an address and phone number from a website and used it and the message went through) you will notice in the drop down for “Topic” that there is NOTHING about the economy or economic stimulus. Food stamps, flag requests and constitutional amendments are there, but not a breath about the economy or economic stimulus.
Of course this will never be reported where LIV’s will ever see it.
The cycle begins again.
The Dems will try and try and try to get something done, but in the face of even the most tepid Republican obstructionism they will cave again, and again, and again.
The MSM will only report the bickering and the fact that nothing is getting passed.
They will then bring on one Democrat who will, like Sisyphus, keep trying to push that rock of truth up the little hill of false narratives, unfair attacks, and downright hypocrisy set up by the two or more Republicans who are brought on the show to claim the Dems can’t get anything done while they are actually obstructing everything…
And the people will lap it up.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:20 amCurlew
December 30th, 2008 at 9:21 amYou don’t think he’s in denial, do you?
Celtic….it never crossed my mind !! LOL
December 30th, 2008 at 9:23 amThey will filibuster the stimulus bill at their own peril. And for this one, I doubt that Harry Reid will allow them to get away with the threat of a filibuster. I’m thinking that Obama will tell him if he does, he can find another job. And any Senator who is up for reelection in 2010 better think very hard before they oppose the stimulus. Otherwise they may have a crashed economy on their conscience.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:27 amOtherwise they may have a crashed economy on their conscience.
the crashed economy, the unwinnable ‘war,’ declining national health, local tax-increases need to balance national tax breaks: All these things NOW belong to Mr. O.
Not to the Pukes.
Not to Bush/Cheney.
To the DIMS!
Congrats, fellas…
December 30th, 2008 at 9:31 amIf this guy is the face of the republican party they are in big trouble.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:32 amSo we have a Senate Minority leader who is a bully and a Senate Majority Leader who is a wimp. For the life of me I will never understand how the Democrats allowed Reid to keep his position considering his past performance.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:33 amI agree fully here with Bilbo … The Dem leadership is a complete waste of space & time.
They will absolutely not stop the GOP from these manuevers and, guaranteed, will allow them to have endless debates on these matters.
Reid, Daschle, Pelosi, & Co. used no power or persuasion against the GOP when the Dems were the minority or even the last 2 years.
Once again, the GOP shows the political world what it really means to have will, strength, & purpose.
This Congress may end up demonstrating for all history, how a party can rule from the minority.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:42 amsomeone ought to remind this bozo he’s the MINORITY leader thus, he needs to sit down, shut his yap, stop being an obstructionist since the voters gave him a clear message in 06 and in 08.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:47 amJust a hopeful thought: if rumors are true that Reid and Pelosi’s past inactions and contorting to the GOP were the result of blackmailing by Dick Cheney, we may see a more aggressive leadership once the Dick is out of the WH. They may not be so hot to prosecute past Administration crimes due to their prior complicity which is another story but they could take out their pent up frustrations on the hobbled GOP in the next Congressional session. Like I said though, I’m being hopeful…
December 30th, 2008 at 9:51 amExplain to me again why someone would vote Republican?
December 30th, 2008 at 9:56 amBecause their daddy did.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:58 amNevar Says:
December 30th, 2008 at 10:01 am“Because their daddy did.”
and in most cases in the south their daddy’s also banged their sisters…
McConnell must drive a really big Hummer!
December 30th, 2008 at 10:15 amAnd this picture tells us why.
:-)
I hope you are right Bilbo. What I don’t get is how the pukes can just basically say “this is a fillibuster” and that’s it. Why can’t they be made to “actually” keep the floor to fillibuster something (like in “Mr Smith Goes to Washington”)? Maybe that’s too idealistic, but I think they (congress) are basically lazy and way too corrupt, and make it too easy for obstruction to progress. I just don’t get it – anybody else agree with me, or have I just watched too many movies?
December 30th, 2008 at 10:21 amMitch McCompensate
December 30th, 2008 at 10:22 amTrust me Mitch, the taxpayers will know far more about the stimulus spending then they ever got to know about the Wall Street bailout.
Republicans like to talk about their “ideas,” but the simple and plain fact is that all of their decisions and talking points can only be explained by one governing principle: whatever serves the interest of the extremely wealthy. If they actually had any ideas, then occasionally you’d see them make a different decision. But I’m still waiting.
They won’t be a viable political party again until they stop being the frontlines for a blatant campaign of pure class warfare. It takes much more than that to actually be relevant in the 21st Century.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:25 ammuzz Says:
I hope you are right Bilbo. What I don’t get is how the pukes can just basically say “this is a fillibuster” and that’s it. Why can’t they be made to “actually” keep the floor to fillibuster something (like in “Mr Smith Goes to Washington”)?
I utterly agree. Filibusters are supposed to be hard to do, not just call a vote and give up. It should be “OK, Mr. 70-year-old white man, I hope your electrolyte balance is up because you’re going to be standing and talking for the next 72 hours straight. Good luck with that.”
December 30th, 2008 at 10:28 amIf Republicans threaten a filibuster then for once and at long last the Democrats should make them. Then after the Republicans have talked themselves senseless (which should take about 1 hour) the Democrats should have a vote and pass the legislation. Call the Republicans bluff and watch them wilt before our eye’s.
I know this would require some actual courage from Democrats but I can always dream.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:32 amThe logical and natural consequence of gridlock in the Senate is the use and expansion of Bush’s Unitary Executive. It will be necessary, to deal with the riots which will occur as more and more individuals and families are without food and shelter.
It’s really quite amazing to think of the power that just 40 Senators have: they can destroy the greatest country on this planet, merely by refusing to vote for anything. If they exercise that power – expect massive riots by summer’s end.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:39 amMcconnell and his likes will vote for more war profits. Their money and vote are tied to war machinery as their clients pay returns much like that of Mr Maddoff, guaranteed.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:20 amWhat it basically comes down to is that the GOP (as usual) has absolutely no plan or solution to our Nations problems. The actions that they took when running Congress brought disaster to the economy. They refuse to allow the Democrats to pass much needed legislation for the childish reasoning of not wanting the Dems to accomplish anything despite the further ramifications that their obstruction will cause. To the GOP EVERYTHING is about politics and the considerations of American citizens are nowhere to be seen. What amazes me is that so many (if not all) of the Republican Congress people have opened their eyes to the now indisputable fact that trickle down economics is a sham and does not work. They refuse to admit that the theories of their god Ron Raygun are fatally flawed and serve only the allready wealthy. A middle-class stimulus would guarantee an influx of money into the economy and if spent on infastructure would create much needed jobs and leave the Country with something tangible and positive at the end (bridges, roads, improved rail lines atc) whereas the trickle down approach guarantees only that the rich get richer. There is no guarantee that this money will find it’s way back into the economy (more likely into offshore accounts and personal investments). I’m further (and probably more) dismayed that so many non-wealthy LIV’s still vote Republican after decades of Republican rule has shown us that they can not and should not be allowed to govern.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:20 amKentucky is a big, fat, white welfare state. Either you’re very wealthy or somebody in your family or even household is receiving welfare or food stamps or else they’re on “disability”. But they’re all white so it’s alright. And they keep getting theirs even when the economy is in the toilet. That’s how this dirtbag can be against the plan and not suffer any consequences. His constituents are going to go to work any way.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:21 amI thought the right was screaming before 2006 that fillibusters were un-american and that to do that was basically saying you hate america….why do the repugs hate america??
December 30th, 2008 at 11:23 amKentucky’s number one cash crop:
MARIJUANA
Prior to that, I believe moonshine was their number one export.
Backwoods hillbillies, screwing the livestock or each other every other day…
December 30th, 2008 at 11:26 amDon’t worry, everyone. The tightly controlled media will dutifully follow the orders of their Republican masters and make sure everyone knows that the GOP is blameless and the Democrats are solely responsible for the economic disaster.
Fox News said so, it MUST be true!
December 30th, 2008 at 11:26 amGo for it, Mitch–and prepare to reap the consequences come 2010.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:35 amEh, he’ll be one of a few to take that standpoint. Let’s face it, politics is all about appearances to the average person. If the average person hears they’re blocking a stimulus package (that everyone is hoping for already), that’s going to look horrible. It doesn’t matter how “noble” the reasons supposedly are to the politicians doing it.
Even the average person who barely keeps up with politics has been wondering when they’re going to get a break while the banks get money and yet continue to give people no leeway in any manner.
I doubt many will side with him. It’s pretty idiotic.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:39 amMost states number one cash crop is marijuana…
December 30th, 2008 at 11:40 ammargerine Says:
…
I doubt many will side with him. It’s pretty idiotic.
That would be totally awesome, seeing as how he’s the Senate minority leader, and if he can’t get them to play along, then the Republicans in the Senate will actually be a nonentity. This year, they certainly haven’t shown the ability to march in rank-and-file lockstep like they used to. Hopefully it’ll be like herding cats and they won’t be able to get 41 votes on anything.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:44 amAny truth to the rumor that Senators McConnell, Lary Craig, & Lindsey Graham have their own private club. It would not surprise me.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:51 amIt will be nice once the new Obama team comes into office. They have some pretty intelligent people working on this economy. One of Obama’s top advisors has new ideas that could completely overhaul income tax. Can you image what it would be like to only pay sales tax. Sure, people wouldn’t buy as much, but our society is based off consumption and that won’t last forever anyways. We don’t have the resources to keep consuming. We need fundamental change.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:26 pmCash Advance Says:
___________
Flagged for spamming!!!!!!!
December 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pmI’m not too concerned that McConnell and his Confederates (double entendre) will actually block a stimulis package.
There are a few Blue State Republicans (Snowe and Collins for example) that will likely vote for Obama’s Plan.
McConnell is just positioning himself, if the plan doesn’t work.
He may succeed in shaping the Bill….but Obama must realize that too much reshaping could result in an out of control pork laden boondoggle.
I suggest that Kentucky should be allowed to opt out of the federal funding, if it bothers their conscience too much.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:32 pmHow do the repugs explain their own conflicting positions? Billions with no question for Wall street, yet nothing for average Americans. How is it that they keep getting elected? As a Canadian living in the US, I am amazed that so many Americans vote against their own best interest. Unfortunately, we have our own sheep in Canada too, just not as bad.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:42 pmI don’t have a problem with senators having time to see what’s in the bill, which is a logical courtesy denied the Dems when the GOP was in power.
I don’t think the general public understands what the blocking move is. So, I fear they will just blame the party in power when nothing gets accomplished.
When the Democrats threatened to block the votes on a couple of, too far, to the right Supreme Court picks, the ‘up or down vote’ Republicans threatened to enact the ‘Nuclear Option’.
They then proceeded to use the filibuster in a record breaking orgy of obstructionism in the last Congress.
I think it is time for the Democratic Senate leadership to invoke the ‘Nuclear Option’. It only takes a simple majority to change the rules of the Senate so that it would only take a majority to end debate rather than the 60 votes that are needed now.
That would place McConnell into a position of being the minority complainer.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:48 pm“The stimulus package could reach around $800 billion.” LOL
December 30th, 2008 at 12:54 pmThe voters of Kentucky voters have spoken and want Mitch to bring down America or sale it. Mitch’s area has some smart people that seem to put poltics before the country. Mitch got kick backs for going along with Bush and he was show boating with the Auto Industry because of the Election.
Obama said we win or lose together now we know the voters of Kentucky want America to lose.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:06 pmRepugnants want to take the economic crises to a new low…
December 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pmIf anyone needed further proof that the current crop of GOP leaders could care less about America’s future then they need only read this article. They’ll let the country burn to the ground then blame it on Democrats in a vain hope to regain a few seats in 2010. These Republicans are a disgrace to this Nation and are now the party of rich, white Americans and racists.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:50 pmI have a question.
What is WRONG with the people who re-elected YOU?
December 30th, 2008 at 2:21 pmRush is already calling the recession the “Obama” recesssion. He is blaming all of the economic problems on the Democrats. The really sad part is that there are human beings out there that cannot think for themselves and beleive this stuff. We all know them, most of us know one or two of them. When they speak you have to keep from shouting “what in the hell are you talking about”
December 30th, 2008 at 2:32 pmYou’re a mean one Mitch the Grinch!
December 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pmBadger Says
“I suggest that Kentucky should be allowed to opt out of the federal funding, if it bothers their conscience too much”.
Bravo Badger! I am sick of these hypocrites. If they dont want it dont give it to them. Let them “go on their own” and be real men like they profess.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:40 pmThis is who he is. This is the GOP. They are still obstructing all they can. And those southern Republican legislators that have all those foreign owned automobile factories in their states don’t want to bail them out either.
They gave and give huge tax incentives to foreign owned companies. And they gave huge amounts of land with no taxes required in order to build. And few of these companies have been forced to pay their income taxes. And if they can break the back of American car manufacturers and if they can kill the union, then those foreign owners will not have to pay fair wages. And the coffers of these Southern legislators will continue to be full. Senior workers make 14.00 an hour. And the people like MCConnell don’t even want them to get that. Could any of those like McConnell live on 14.00? I doubt it.
They have required sacrifices that these workers have made everytime they have been asked. Sacrifices Wall Street has never been required to make. This is class warfare. This is the continuing attack on the middle class that started with Reagan. The McConnells of the Republican party want what they have always dreamed of. Another golden age for the rich. No taxes and no middle class. Rich and poor and no accounting for anything.
McConnell should if there is any justice, should not be re-elected. Sorry I forgot. There is no justice.
These Republicans are not Americans for Americans first. They are corporatists. As long as it is a corporation they don’t care from what country or how our own workers are treated. What they have failed to understand, is this. They are making us a third world country. Make us a third world country and the McConnell’s of this country will also lose their leverage to make deals that benefit them. A third world country has very little to offer and not much leverage. In other words the Republicans will end up eventually cutting their own throats.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:12 pmThese old dogs are not going to change. They like the division; as political ideologues, they enjoy being obstructionist (it gives them a false sense of power), they will do all they can to thwart every plan from Obama, as well as any Democratic legislation – the goal is to try to make the incoming administration fail so they can regain power in the next cycle. They do not care about America or Americans – they care only about themselves.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:40 pmMay they all die in agony.
Same Ol’ republican greedy bastards. Save the banks, with no kind of oversight, but not the people.
Obama’s Stimulus package involves building/retro fitting the infrastructures, schools, et al, which translates to clearly more jobs.
That is the republican mantra folks. Screw the people; long live big businesses; but keep chanting the Lord’s name, and do everything in the name of GOD.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:48 pmHey Mitch, hows the economy in your home state of KY ? Lets look at the stats.
To be serious for a second – he led the charge for Wall Street to have money without guidelines and oversight. Yet for his own consituency in KY he doesn’t want to see any job creation or infrastructure improvement. Who does this say he is working for ?
Kentucky Unemployment released Dec 16 2008
7 percent, rank of 36 out of 51 (51, with the highest is Michigan) – http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/state_unemployment/
National Rate 6.7 % http://www.bls.gov/
I’m having trouble finding the year for the Wikipedia statistics (they indicate, though 2007 dollars) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States
However, note that Kentucky Median Family income ( $ 40,267 ) ranks 48 of 51 (National Median $ 50,740 )
December 30th, 2008 at 6:22 pmI expected more from Kentucky, then an a$$wipe like McConnell.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:07 pmDoesn’t surprise me…these people are Republicans, after all.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:32 pmGreat Mitchy since you appose this vitally important stimulus package, I guess you don’t need any help for Kentucky. For that fact I believe that any senator or congress person who apposes this stimulus package, should forfeit any benefit afforded to their respected state… Watch how fast they change their tune!
December 30th, 2008 at 9:24 pmSome of the above posts mention “filibuster”. This may actually be a blessing in disguise.
If the demo plan has public works, job training, infrastructure, etc. it will appeal to a large segment of the population and also to several repub congress critters.
In short, this is a “cause” where if the repubs try to filibuster, the dems are very likely to get enough repubs to cross the aisle – ending the filibuster and starting the congress with a firm show of dem strength.
Now if we could just count on the dems not to screw it up.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:21 pmMcConnell does not trouble himself with a coherent governing philosophy. He just stupidly opposes anything proposed by anyone not pulling his strings.
The highest aspiration that this cracker ever entertained is the one he serves now, which is to prostitute himself to traitors.
December 31st, 2008 at 9:57 amLet him block it. Just once. Then nuke the filibuster. Tell the American people that until the republican party will not be allowed to obstruct the recovery from the disaster that their policies caused.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:13 pm