In turnaround, GOP leaders begin trying to push increase in federal debt limit through House

AP ^ | 6/27/02 | ALAN FRAM

[Jean S]

Republican leaders reversed course Thursday and began trying to push a federal debt limit increase through the House in hopes of ending a political battle that had become increasingly difficult for the GOP.

After a day of lobbying reluctant GOP lawmakers by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and other party leaders, Republicans believed they had the votes to prevail, despite strong opposition by Democrats, GOP aides said. In a test vote, the rules governing debate on the measure were approved in a near party-line 219-211 roll call.

[IronJack]

We realized we had to do it, and right now there's more team unity that we've had in a long time," said Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., citing GOP support for trade and prescription drug bills. "We're in full battle gear, fall mode."

"And our enemy is the American taxpayer, especially those conservatives stupid enough to believe that Republicans would guard them from Big Government." Rep. Souder could not go on; he was consumed by a paroxysm of derisive laughter.

[billybudd]

Let's see, Republicans are the party of smaller government...right, and Lenin has been reincarnated as a venture capitalist on Wall Street.

[Biblebelter]

I do not mind increased government spending during war time. The problem is, is that I fear much of the increased spending is merely federally bloated waste on education and farming which has proven over time to be ineffective and counterproductive. It may be war time and they can throw dollars at a lot of security measures, but until these politicians have the will to secure our borders from illegal aliens, drugs, and potential terrorists, I will feel no more secure.

[Reeses]

"President Bush's failed fiscal policies, particularly the tax increase he pushed through Congress last year"

"Bush's tax cut created the need to borrow."

Huh? Which is it?

[monday]

"The Democratic-controlled Senate approved the same $450 billion increase in the borrowing ceiling on June 11 by a bipartisan 68-29 margin. "

Senators of both parties will happily spend your money and laugh in your face.

"Some Republicans -- particularly those in tight re-election races -- were also reluctant to support the increase because opponents often use the vote to accuse them of favoring a bigger, wasteful government."

Congressmen will also happily spend your money and more but they are ashamed, not of doing it, but of getting caught doing it.

Aside from a handful of honest men, we are being governed by thieves and liers. In 10 to 15 years, when the first baby boomers start to retire, we will be in the same position as Argentina is today. Broke, riots, the works, only we won't have the IMF to turn to. When we go down the rest of the world will follow.

[monday]

""And our enemy is the American taxpayer, especially those conservatives stupid enough to believe that Republicans would guard them from Big Government." Rep. Souder could not go on; he was consumed by a paroxysm of derisive laughter."

Sadly its true, and the American taxpayer has quietly become the minority in America today. We slept too long and now there are not enough of us to vote the tax and spenders out of office even if we were awake.

The socialists snuck up and stole the country when we weren't looking. Our fate is now in their hands. We will have to depend on them for the wisdom not to kill the "Golden Goose".

Judging from past performance I am not confident they are intellectually up to the challenge. In fact I am pretty sure its only a matter of time. We will see?