Posted on 02/20/2009 12:45:53 PM PST by malkee
Dear Friends,
As you know, today the President signed into law the "Americans Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009."
The vote on the stimulus package was a very tough vote because of the very large deficit we have and the very large national debt faced by future generations. But the economy is in a desperate situation. Just in the month of January we lost 600,000 jobs, added to the loss of 2.8 million last year. There are millions of people who are having their homes foreclosed. The economists tell us that if we do not act that the current severe recession could well develop into a full-fledged depression like 1929.
The agreement we reached was the best one we could under the circumstances. We were able to cut out $100 billion from the package and include 35% in tax relief in the overall bill. My preference would have been John McCain’s proposal, which I voted for, to have the stimulus package of $421 billion in tax cuts alone. I voted for the Reagan tax cuts back in 1981 and that would be the best course, but in a legislative body you don’t have exactly your own choice.
I was impressed with the position of the United States Chamber of Commerce which was for the bill very solidly. The Chamber of Commerce, obviously, is a very conservative, Republican organization which has its hands on the economy and what’s happening to many, many businesses and they were for it. All factors considered, I thought that action had to be taken.
I voted for it with reservations, as I have commented. One was I didn’t like the speed of the operation. When President Obama came to talk to the Republican Caucus and my turn came for a question I said, ‘Why the haste? Why do you have to move ahead on February 13?’ I reminded him of the bailout package of $700 billion where mistakes were made because the legislature didn’t go through what we call ‘regular order.’ The President responded that there was an emergency and that we had to act. Another factor which concerned me was that there is a good bit in this bill which should be in the regular appropriations process - important healthcare and education projects, but they ought to be in the regular budget where we establish overall spending and then make a determination of priorities.
My vote was cast recognizing the very substantial political peril that I face. I know that there are many on the Republican political spectrum who do not like the vote. I remember, obviously, the tough primary fight I had in the year 2004. But I felt in the final analysis, given the very severe consequences which might befall the country, that my duty was to look out for the public interest and not my own personal political interest.
The sooner this collection of slime cells (sans a brain) departs this earth, the better.
Only 600,000 jobs lost in January?
That’s FAR fewer than the 500,000,000 predicted by “Speaker” Pelosi.
Dump Specter!
“Dear Senator Specter:
F You.
Sincerly;
A constiuent that is tired of bending over and grabbing their ankles”
My condolences. Can you rid yourself and the Country of that POS in the next election?
...the Keynesian socialist economists that Specter choose to accept. Many, many other prominent economists agree that Specter is a dumbass.
I hope Mr Specter faces consequences at least as severe as those his vote imposed on our nation. If any national GOP organization gives him a dime I’m outa the contribution business. Maybe Michael Steele can teach him to rap.
Buh Bye Arlen.
Specter is truly pathetic. Now he wants to provide excuses. He’s no Republican. He needs to be thrown out of the party, along with Snowe and Collins!
I got the same email.
I responded by telling him I would work for his defeat in his next primary.
Dear Arlen Specter,
Bite me.
Yes, Arlen, the economy is in bad shape.
And Porkulus will make it worse.
Wonder what Pork that was that the Dems included in the first go-round that totalled $100 billion? We probably won't ever know, since we still don't know all that is in the bill that passed. So much for "transparency" and time for review!
...but in a legislative body you don’t have exactly your own choice.
Neither do the American public it appears, Mr. Specter!
We in Pennsylvania are working on it.
Condolences. (I live in IL!)
Spectre could have shown courage but no, he Ratted out. To hell with him.
He's not even a RINO. Why? because he was NEVER a republican.
Anybody who would defend Ira Einhorn is PURE SCUM.
If you don't know who Ira was Google him.
He doesn’t like the haste but when he has the power to slow down the process, he steps out of the way.
The “severe consequences” were only for the power grabbing government. The market was on the way to a self correction before Zero. This is not an excusable act on the part of the Senator. His timid submission is exactly what is wrong with this nation. We need to stop feeling guilty and start looking out for America (That does not include our bloated national government or any other folks who think that taking money from producers will make us stronger.)
The market began to falter following the 2006 elections. It has tanked since Zero became the Dim Candidate. This is not a coincidence.
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