I hope the Dem Senators were watching.
.

I am heartened to see the Dems standing together. It is sickening that 216 chose to vote for a bill that so obviously will destroy American lives. Where is their soul? Truly, an example that being a pro-lifer does not outweigh one's ethical obligations to the bigger picture of life. Shame.

Sorry to pee on the parade here.

But when is celebrating a loss a good thing?

A loss by one vote is still a loss. This system is winner take all, and will remain so until the dems can actually win.

patience, thanks for pointing that out; I was thinking the same thing myself.

Geez guys, these days I think it is a victory when the whole caucus holds together.

Geez guys, these days I think it is a victory when the whole caucus holds together.

Exactly. And not only did they ALL stick together they convinced 16 members of the GOP that the bill was an immoral slap at the poor and vulnerable.

I say bravo.

What the fuck do you guys want from them. If you expect better get more fucking democrats into office.

Steve, you're right, we should reward good behavior and give kudos where they're deserved. When I see it as a pattern, I'll be more confident, I guess.

Sometime shortly before the November election, there will be a token restoration of a microscopic amount of money '"for the people." And the corporate media will crow about the goodness of "compassionate conservatives."
Just wait and see.

rlp, That's why we have to remind the public that the congress is working for the people and not corporate interests.
I think what Pelosi did needs to be commended. Time to make these repukes feel like heels!

Are these really cuts or just slowing the growth rate?

Wait until John Edwards gets a hold of this bullshit.

Fucking the poor with a serrated knife...this ain't your granddaddy's GOP.

Actually I'd like to know what the changes placed by Senate Democrats which triggered this were? The linked story doesn't make it clear what Democrats did to the bill... it only contains the following info:
"Senate changes forced House revote
The House passed a nearly identical bill on Dec. 19, but the chamber held an unusual revote because Senate Democrats forced technical changes that the House needed to accept before the bill could be sent to Bush’s desk."

what I find interesting is how many Democrats were 'for it' before they were 'against it' after changes from Senate Democrats...

oh wait I found it what do you know it's spending... http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c109EPG3Eb:e574:
here is one of my favorite new spending items:
"Sec. 3007 NYC 9/11 Digital Transition
... such sums as may be ncesessary not to exceed 30,000,000 to implement and administer the program in accordance with this section. ...
... grant to be used to reimburse the Metropolitan Television Alliance for costs incurred in the design and deployment of a temporary digital television broadcast system..." wonder which Senator(s) added that language?

Does this means that NY & NJ's House Democrats voted against this funding these 9/11 subsidies for the NY/NJ television stations....

A better question - can the US Congress actually pass a spending reduction bill that doesn't include new spending?

It's great that the Democrats, from Nancy Pelosi to Gene Taylor, held united. The bill would pass regardless, but this way the GOP had to twist the maximum number of arms. Now any vulnerable GOP congressman who voted yes will have to face attacks of being the deciding vote on the bill.

Patience,

Although I see your point, I think this is progress too. When the Democrats learns that the corporate media is not brainwashing all of the voters, they will be more inclined to stand-up against the lies and special interest looting the U.S. treasury. The more the Dems stand-up, the more the corporate media will have to walk a line, lie (especially fox) and cover-up.

Haven't Democrats been screaming for months about the runaway spending of the republicans the last serveral years? And now that we are cutting spending they are squalling.

Honestly now, can you guys be consistent on ANY issue.

What hyprocrites.

Haven't Democrats been screaming for months about the runaway spending of the republicans the last serveral years?

Pork, the other white meat, not social programs to help those in need. Cut some of that highway bill pork and the corporate welfare handouts from the enrgy bill and we can talk.

Honestly now, can you guys be consistent on ANY issue.

Honestly now David, can't you be intellectually honest about ANY issue.

Provide some quotes of Dmeocrats screaming about to much spending on Medicare/Medicaid and school loans and we can talk.

I understand that it's much easier to simply shoot your mouth off without even the least bit of forethought but you should stretch your brain some time ant try it.

I am all ears for anyone of you that would like to propse specific cuts and dollar amounts.

I won't hold my breath.

If you promise to hold your breath I'll wait a little longer before I give you some specific numbers.

Still holding your breath?

I am all ears for anyone of you that would like to propse specific cuts and dollar amounts.

I won't hold my breath.

Posted by The Ugly American at February 2, 2006 06:29 AM

Rescind the tax cuts to the wealthiest 1%.

Re-institute the inheritance tax, and set the limit at $5 million.

Rescind the corporate welfare currently doled out by the government.

Raise the ceiling on SSA contribution to the first $100,000 of income.

Cut congressional pensions so that they are similar in structure to those that ordinary Americans can get (what? Most companies don't let their employees contribute to corporate pension plans any more? I guess that means that congress critters don't need them either).

Cut congressional salaries by 40%. Tie any raises to congress critters to the minimum wage - so that congress doesn't get a raise until the lowest paid workers in the marketplace get one, too.

Force all government employees to use a basic health care plan similar to the minimum offerings companies "give" their employees today.

Cut out all earmarks in all bills under any circumstances.

Direct the IRS to focus on tax cheats who are in the richest segment instead of the poorest ones.

Re-examine all government contracts with Halliburton, Bechtel, and the other major defense contractors, with an eye towards fines and/or contract reassignment for the contracts that have been used to bilk government.

Minimize congressional staff and perks.

I've got more, too. Those are just the highlights.

You can stop holding your breath now. If you ever did, and that wasn't just yet another empty promise from yet another lying Repugnicant.

You want specifics?

For starters;

Upwards of $13 billion dollars in tax breaks and credits to the oil and gas industry included in the Republican energy legislation . Massive tax breaks to an industry that is recording record setting profits. Why?

Not specific enough?

Eliminate sugar subsidies: $160 million per year.

How about eliminating the tax credit for driving a Hummer. Estimated at about $100,000.

A pittance perhaps? You want cuts not tax changes?

Lets take a quick look at the Defense Dept’s fiscal 2006 budget;

National Missile Defense: $7.5 billion.

The V-22 Osprey ( a fine aircraft that is perfectly safe to operate on the ground): $1.8 billion.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (who are we building this plane to fight?): $5 billion dollars.

Let’s see. That’s over 14 billion dollars saved in just one year from cutting just three Defense Dept. programs. $14 billion in one year. Puts the $38 billion saved over ten years on the backs of the poor, sick and elderly to shame.

Are those specific enough for you?

I wonder how this will affect me as a college student. I hope I don't have to drop out of college for lack of loans - I'm not going to get all Chicken Little about it just yet, but I'm still uneasy.

I guess Ug held his breath to long.