Frank Schaeffer writes in the Huffington Post, under the headline Republicans: “Go To Hell America”, 100% Partisan Vote”, about the vote on the so-called stimulus package. As Shakespeare said, “Me thinks he doth protest too much.” In actuality it was a bi-partisan vote, bi-partisan against the stimulus package.
Stimulus?
As more details about this pork-a-palooza come out the American people grow more concerned and less supportive as evidenced by a recent Rasmussen poll with support slipping from 45% to 42% and opposition growing from 34% to 39% with 19% undecided. Which means that 3% moved from the support column and 2% from the undecided column into the opposition column. In other words, more people supported John McCain than support this package, and McCain lost.
So why is Frank Schaeffer on the verge of having a stroke over this? When you look more closely it’s pretty clear. By all Republicans voting against the measure, they did not give the Democrats the fig leaf they were looking for. If this is truly a stimulus package and if the Democrats need no Republican votes to pass it, then pass it and take all the credit when the economy rockets to life. The dirty little secret is that the Democrats really don’t believe this is a stimulus package at all.
The Big Payoff
The purpose of this package is to help the Democrats to consolidate power. It begins by paying back those who supported them. Why else is there money in the package for Hollywood, family planning, teacher’s unions, massive transfers of money from the federal to the state governments? The “tax stimulus” of about $10 per week, is aimed at those who pay little to no income taxes. “If I give you a check for nothing today, will you give me your vote in 2010?” They are pushing to reach that tipping point where the majority of voters pay no income tax and maybe even get checks from the government. Once that magical 50% line is crossed look out. By having majority rule, they can then jack up the tax rates on “the rich” to astronomical levels, and there is little that can be done about it short of another revolution. Remember those famous words, “Taxation without Representation”? And why should it matter to rich Democrats, since they don’t pay the taxes they owe anyway (Rangel, Daschle, Geithner).
The Republicans could have done a great thing for their party and the country: sent a message to the world — we stand together! Imagine the impact on tomorrow’s stock market, and our enemy’s view of America and our standing in the world if instead of a partisan Republican “NO” vote the backing of the recovery plan had been unanimous approval! — Schaeffer
Sorry, comrade, it’s time for Mr. Schaeffer to get a reality check. First of all that was a bipartisan NO! Second, the stock market has fallen 1,600 points since Obama was elected. That’s not exactly a vote of confidence from the financial markets. Look, the measure passed. If it is a truly good stimulus package the stock market should rise on that alone. Does he think Wall Street cares whose vote is in which column? Please!
The Republicans might have then shared the credit, even won a few elections in the future. Now their fate is sealed. Obama will succeed. America won’t forget who to thank. — Schaeffer
You would think that Mr. Schaeffer was born yesterday. This package was put together by President, I mean, Speaker Pelosi. She gave the back of her hand to the Republicans. They had no role to play in putting this package together, so let’s put the bipartisan rhetoric back in the museum case where it belongs. President Obama’s dinner with conservative writers, his cocktail parties, his Capital Hill meetings with Republicans were all just PR and window dressing if they have no input on the legislation. When asked if the package was bipartisan, Speaker Pelosi said that depends on how the Republicans vote. In other words, if they vote for what we are trying to cram down their throats, its bipartisan, if not, well just call on Frank Schaeffer to scream FOUL!
If he wants a true stimulus package, cut the pork, cut the unnecessary spending, eliminate the capital gains tax and cut tax rates, not give out $10 per week that will barely buy a pizza. If you want to build a serious stimulus package, I am sure the Republicans would stand ready to work with President Obama, but it’s time for President Obama to realize that he’s the one with the 70% approval rating not Nancy Pelosi, whose Congress has approval ratings in the single digits. He should take the lead not follow hers. But for now someone has to watch the American people’s backs and their wallets, and that, my friends, are the conservative Republicans.
