Dodd Forges Ahead with Financial Reform Bill with or without Republican Support

MoonHowler

From Marketwatch:

 

 

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — After months of trying to get Republican support for tougher regulations to prevent the next global financial crisis, Sen. Chris Dodd has decided to move ahead with or without bipartisan backing.

Dodd desperately wants a financial reform bill as a capstone to his 36-year career in Washington. But his lengthy negotiations with his Republican counterparts Richard Shelby and Bob Corker had produced little agreement, just headlines.

Dodd, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, announced Thursday that he would present his own bill to his committee on Monday. The banking committee — with 13 Democrats and 10 Republicans — will likely vote on the bill next week.

Dodd’s decision to abandon an endless quest to reach a bipartisan deal may make it more likely that Congress will actually enact legislation this year to rein in the worst of the abuses that helped lead the global economy to the brink.

The more Dodd negotiated with Shelby and Corker, the more watered-down the bill became. Each compromise with the Republicans made it less likely that the House of Representatives — remember them? — would go along.

The last straw may have been when Corker demanded that any consumer protection agency would not only have to be toothless, but it would also have to be run by the Federal Reserve, the omnipotent agency that utterly failed to protect consumers, the banks or the economy during the housing bubble.

The path to landing a final bill on President Barack Obama’s desk will still be complicated. Dodd will have to clear the bill out of his own committee and then find at least one Republican in the 100-member Senate to help him overcome the inevitable filibuster. And then he’ll have to compromise with the House.

By all accounts, the Republicans negotiated in good faith. But there were some issues that just couldn’t be compromised. It is time to act.

It seems like regulations are desperately needed.   I don’t ever want another September 2008 again, where we all sit there and watch whatever we have accumulated melt away before our eyes.  I don’t want the rich to get richer and the middle income folks to become poor folks, often at our expense.  This is one reason that the Republicans have earned the moniker ‘The Party of NO.  

Dodd has nothing to lose.  He isn’t coming back.  I thank him for sticking with this one.  He was also offered Kennedy’s chair.  He refused it because he wanted to deal with campaign finance.  It’s time for Democrats and Republicans to do the right thing and pass some reform, even if in incremental steps.

An Unlikely Band of Sympathizers

MoonHowler

Ex-Congressman Eric Massa’s behavior, rhetoric, and constantly changing story today on Glenn Beck had Arianna Huffington, Anderson Cooper, and David Gergen so amused/disgusted/incredulous that Huffington said she actually sympathized with Glenn Beck for having to interview Massa for an hour. 

According to Huffington Post:

Gergen used a similar analogy. “People say that Washington politics is a freak show,” he observed. “And Eric Massa is writing a whole new chapter.

Whenever the chapter is complete, it may contain a memorable quote form Gergen about his time in the Navy.

“I don’t remember any tickle fights.”

 

Perhaps Massa’s story about the shower is purely a figure of his imagination. No one seems to be buying into his line of bull these days, from either camp. I doubt if anyone cares that he is gone.  Glenn Beck protected his audience from having to observe the book of tickle fights that Massa brought with him.  Beck looked simply dumbfounded that anyone would be showing a book like that.  (Something from Massa’s Navy days)

Senator Bunning Attempts to Snarl Traffic

MoonHowler

Senator Bunning apparently is trying to make a point as 2000 DOT workers were furloughed without pay. According to ABC News:

ABC News’ Lisa Stark reports: Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., didn’t just stop extensions of unemployment and health insurance benefits with his “hold’ on these funding measures last week, he also stopped an extension of the Highway Trust Fund for 30 days. That means the fund cannot be used to pay for any of its programs or its employees.

So, the Department of Transportation as of Monday morning, furloughed 2,000 federal workers. DOT says that number could climb if this stalemate over funding drags on. Employees affected include federal inspectors overseeing highway projects on federal lands. If the inspectors aren’t there, the projects must shut down. DOT says that will affect 41 critical construction projects from Alaska to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Democrats are using this stand off to point out Republicans being obstructionists. Senator Bunning thundered out at reporters who attempted to talk with him heading up to the Senate floor. (and this video is especially for Cousin Slowpoke)

Senator Bunning allegedly demonstrated the international sign of contempt. The highway fund will probably go through this week. ABC reports:

Bunning did go to the Senate floor and give a coherent explanation of why he is holding up the unemployment benefit extension, COBRA, and Highway Trust Fund money – he wants it to be paid for elsewhere in the budget. His preference would be to use unspent stimulus funds.

“I support extending unemployment benefits, cobra benefits, flood insurance, highway bill fix, doc fix, small business loans, distant network television for satellite viewers. If we can’t find $10 billion to pay for something that we all support, we will never pay for anything on the floor of this U.S. Senate,” he said.

This debate stands every chance of squaring off into its respective corners.  Republicans will probably call this move by Senator Bunning  being fiscally responsible.  Democrats will probably use the O word.  I probably side with the Senator on the elevator issue.  I can understand being territorial about one’s elevator access.  You let one reporter on, they all want on.

Democrats Seek to Curtail Use of Military Contractors

MoonHowler

According to the Huffington Post:

Today, the Pentagon employs more than 217,000 contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, doing the kind of work that enlisted military personnel would have performed in the past, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

Now, there’s a move in Congress to change that. On Tuesday, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) introduced the Stop Outsourcing Security Act, which would make it the military’s responsibility to use its own personnel to train troops and police, guard convoys, repair weapons, run military prisons and do military intelligence activity.

There are strategic reasons to move away from a reliance on contractors, says Schakowsky, a senior member of the intelligence committee. They damage the U.S. reputation with reckless behavior, are overly costly and hurt the morale of troops, who see private guards earning much more money than they do.

Many people tend to look at the military contractors has a big USA investment. They have gotten their training from our military. After the troops serve their time, they retire and sign up with a military contractor such as Blackwater, and make 4 to 5 times more money than if they were with our military.

Other critics fault the lack of discipline and the fact that the military and the contractors have 2 different set of rules of engagement.

How do our contributors feel about the United States scaling back its use of military contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq? Is this a good thing? Will it help troop moral to not have those making the big bucks doing the same jobs?  Should this scaling back be done during a war?  Why did Blackwater change its name?

Note: Blackwater has changed its name to XE.

GOP Filibuster Fails on Jobs Bill Thanks to 5 Republicans

MoonHowler

 

 

The GOP filibuster failed to materialize after 5 brave Republicans cast procedural votes in favor of the Democratic jobs bill.  Newly elected Scott Brown on Massachusetts led the charge and 4 other Republicans followed his lead:  Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) and  Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.).  Sen. Bond is retiring.

The Democrats ended up with 62 votes, 2 more than needed to avoid filibuster.  according to Huffington  Post:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) thanked the newly-elected Republican from Massachusetts. “I hope this is the beginning of a new day here in the Senate. Whether this new day was created by the new Senator from Massachusetts or some other reason, I’m very, very happy that we were able to get this done. But there are some winners. Not any individual Senator, not Democrats or Republicans. The winners are small business people throughout this country.”

Senator Voinovich spoke with Senate Majority Leader  Harry Reid to make certain a surface transportation reauthorization bill was brought to the floor this year.  Reid Agreed.  The Republican senators didn’t seen to be too worried about what the minority leadership said or thought. 

Voinovich, who was patted on the back by a grateful Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) after the vote, said that he could see himself working jointly with Brown and Democrats for the remainder of the term.

“I think he and I are going to do a lot of music together,” said Voinovich. “My vote was reflective of what I thought made sense.”

Voinovich didn’t stick around for any loyalty lectures after his vote. “I have no idea,” said Voinovich when asked what leadership thought of his vote. “I voted and took off.”

Brown also said that he had “no idea” how the rest of his colleagues would vote. But it was good enough for him. “It’s not a perfect bill. I would have liked broader and deeper tax cuts, but I was comfortable with that first vote,” said Brown.

Of the 41 Republicans, 29 opposed the measure, while six skipped the vote. More Republicans skipped the vote than voted in favor.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), meanwhile, muddled the message of Democratic unity behind the jobs bill. He voted against it.

Those who did the happy dance over the election of Scott Brown the other week are probably scratching their heads wondering what happened.  It looks like the Republicans have themselves another. ‘maverick’.’  So what will the minority party do about its new kid in town?  He obviously isn’t going to behave himself.

Senator Reid played a little hard ball when he made a direct challenge:

 “So to my Republican colleagues, here is your chance. Show us you’re serious about legislating. Show our constituents you’re serious about leading. Show the skeptics that you know putting people back to work is far more important than putting points up on the political scoreboard.”

Key Note Speaker: Glenn Beck

MoonHowler

Remember Chris Farley in the SNL skit In a Van Down By the River?

How soon before regular Republicans will be jumping up and locking their doors? Most people don’t like being insulted. Is it possible to be too conservative? I am not exactly sure what too conservative America would look like. It does not seem very realistic.

Right now, it appears President Obama’s best friend is this group. The Republicans all get together and their key note speaker disavows their party?

Tea Party Convention

MoonHowler
Convention Attendee
Convention Attendee
View of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel
View of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel

This political movement  needs a new name. What group of adults says they belong to the Tea Party. What does it stand for? Does anyone remember? From all reports, the Tea Party Convention this week in Nashville isn’t going too well.  Various people have stomped out and there is plenty of bickering. 

Why? The average person can’t afford to go. There are a bunch of Tea Party grassroots organizations. Many of them are squabbling already over the overly priced accommodations and set up in general. The Washington Post describes the following problems:

… [T]he first gathering of a sprawling movement, made up of hundreds of disparate Tea Party groups, has been marred by controversy. Some high-profile speakers and activist groups have canceled their appearances in protest of alleged profiteering by the convention organizers.

Attendees have been charged $549 a ticket (plus hotel and transportation) to gather for three days at the luxurious Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center — an expense that critics say is out of reach for the average grass-roots activist. Some of the proceeds will go to cover former Alaska governor Sarah Palin’s reported $100,000 fee to deliver Saturday’s keynote address.

There was also some mention of a $600 per person lobster dinner that one person who sat home described as a typical Republican fundraiser dinner. That sure doesn’t sound like an ‘average Joe’s’ kind of meal.  Sarah Palin is a keynote speaker who has said she will not profit from her honorarium but has yet to say who will receive her speaking fee.

What has happened to the grassroots, ‘tired of high taxes’, just your every day average person who showed up at town hall meetings to shout his or her outrage at the ‘system?’  The Post article indicates that those in attendance at the initial Tea Party Convention in Nashville are not your ordinary people being taxed to death.  The people attending the Convention are staying in  opulent accommodations, eating fancy meals, and living high on the hog.  The little man probably can’t afford the plane ticket much less the accouterments that go with that plane ticket.

Read More

Glenn Beck Attacks Newly Elected Scott Brown

MoonHowler

Glenn Beck really has no taste. Wednesday after Scott Brown’s extreme overthrow in Massachusetts, Beck came on his radio show and uttered the following about Brown’s kidding remarks about his lovely daughters who are famous by their own rights:

I want a chastity belt on this man. I want his every move watched in Washington. I don’t trust this guy. This one could end with a dead intern. I’m just saying. It could end with a dead intern.

And his TV show was not much better:

 

Republicans might want to get over their idolatry of this man. He immediately attacks the newly elected Republican and then he howls with pleasure over his little inside joke about dead interns. Was he comparing Brown to Gary Condit or to Ted Kennedy? Its hard to tell. Regardless, his comments are tasteless, gross and I don’t think soon-to-be Senator Brown deserves what was said.

Who is going to rein in this bozo? Instead of celebrating a political victory, Beck tries to tear the man down. I simply do not get it. Can he not accept a victory that he personally has not orchestrated?

Regime Change with a Smile: Senator Centerfold

MoonHowler

Alas, the Lion of the Senate’s old seat old was snagged by a young stag.  I don’t know much about Scott Brown other than he is a hunk and a Republican.  Born in 1959, Brown has held several political offices.  He will serve as Massachusetts U.S. Senator for the remain 3 years of Senator Kennedy’s term.  He will probably irritate the good people of Massachusetts and a Democrat will be in at the next election.

The significance of this win cannot be understated.  It brings the Senate down to 59 Democrats  rather than the 60 needed to pass legislation the easy way.  There is fear that health care reform will not make it through now.   The balance of power has been tipped. Democrats need to pay careful attention and so do Republicans. It was only a year ago that the GOP got their heads handed to them. Perhaps both parties need to change–big time.

 Now I am sitting here wondering if  the playmate of the month could ever win a U.S. Senate seat.  I am guessing someone would make a huge deal out of  her ‘past.’   Scott Brown was a centerfold in Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1982. Apparently being a centerfold doesn’t hurt males, especially good looking ones.

Warning! Incredible HUNK pictures!

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Blue Dog Breaks from the Pack

MoonHowler

From Politico:

 

Democrats got a punch in the gut on Tuesday when freshman Congressman Parker Griffith (D-AL) announced he would switch parties.  Griffith is what is known as a blue dog Democrat, or a Democrat who is more fiscally conservative than the average Democrat.  He stated as his reason for switching parties:

[H]e can no longer align himself “with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy and drives us further and further into debt.”

 “Unfortunately there are those in the Democratic Leadership that continue to push an agenda focused on massive new spending, tax increases, bailouts and a health care bill that is bad for our healthcare system,” Griffith said in a statement. “I have always considered myself to be an independent voice and I have tried to be that voice in Congress – but after watching this agenda firsthand I now believe that the differences in the two parties could not be more clear and that for me to be true to my core beliefs and values I must align myself with the Republican party and speak out clearly on these issues.

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McCain Might be in Trouble

MoonHowler

Senator John McCain, (R-AZ) might be in for the fight of his life to preserve his senate seat.  According to the Huffington Post:

PHOENIX, AZ — Rasmussen announced a new poll on Friday showing Senator John McCain may be in trouble at home where a polarized electorate has him facing constant criticism from both the left and the right.

The poll shows McCain tied with former Congressman and current talk radio host J.D. Hayworth in a hypothetical Republican primary. Hayworth, who has become an outspoken local hero among immigration-control activists, lost his House seat to Rep. Harry Mitchell (D) in 2006. Since then, Hayworth has promoted the Tea Parties on his radio show and has spoken at Tea Party events, including the April 15 rally in Phoenix. Hayworth has expressed interest in running but has been tight-lipped on whether or not he intends to actually file as a candidate against McCain.

Rasmussen has McCain at 45% and Hayworth at 43% (4% margin of error). Although McCain’s loudest opponents from the right usually cite immigration as the key issue, Minutmen founder Chris Simcox only reached 4% in the poll. According to the poll, Hayworth is more popular overall among the GOP, especially among the younger GOP sect. McCain fares better with females and moderate Republicans.

McCain is up for reelection in 2010. It was thought at one time that Janet Napolitano was going to challenge him. As Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, that seems unlikely. What is it about McCain that Republicans don’t like? It seems that he is the darling of the moderates and the villan of just about everyone else. It obviously isn’t all about immigration. The minuteman guy sure didn’t grab up a lot of the votes in the poll. Is it just the mood of the country?

Palin-o-phobia Footage

MoonHowler

You folks knew this was coming. The media is aglow with Palin-o-phobia. Some of it is funny. Some pathetic. Some fair. Some not fair. On the other hand, if you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch,

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Daily Show: The Rogue Warrior
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes		 Political Humor Health Care Crisis

 

 

On to safer waters…Sean Hannity.  He will be more than fair with Ms. Palin.

But is she up to the challenge of Fox News?

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30 Senators Vote NAY on Anti-Rape Amendment

MoonHowler

In 2005, 19 year old Jamie Leigh Jones was allegedly gang raped by some of her Halliburton/KBR co-workers. Her attackers locked her in a shipping container for more than 24 hours to prevent her from reporting the rape. Jamie has been denied the right sue.

According to the Huffington Post:

The rape occurred outside of U.S. criminal jurisdiction, but to add serious insult to serious injury she was not allowed to sue KBR because her employment contract said that sexual assault allegations would only be heard in private arbitration–a process that overwhelmingly favors corporations.

Junior senator from Minnesota, Al Franken, recently proposed an amendment that would deny defense contracts to companies who made employees sign away their right to sue. Seems simple enough, but not to 30 Republican Senators. The amendment passed but there were 30 NAY votes.

The most egregious remarks came from Senator Jeff Sessions who said:

… he opposed the amendment because it “would impose the will of Congress on private individuals and companies in a retroactive fashion, invalidating employment contracts without due process of law.” However, because the amendment applies to the fiscal year 2010 defense bill, it would not apply retroactively.

Sessions added one more reason for opposing it. “I think we should listen to the Department of Defense and vote no on this amendment,” he said.

 

[ED. Note:  Elena and I decided to add the Franken floor speech.  It is critical to the discussion]


 

 

Jon Stewart goes on the war path over these 30 NAY votes as only Jon Stewart can:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Rape-Nuts
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes		 Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

The senators have had a lot to say about fake prostitutes and ACORN but apparently real RAPE doesn’t count. There are just some things that should not be political. Rape is one of them.

There are some mighty surprising names on the list of 30 senators who voted NAY. I hope they will be able to explain this to voters next time they are up for re-election. I am shocked at some of them!

See Al Franken’s presentation on the floor of the Senate. It is horrifying that any woman serving overseas should have to endure what this young woman has gone through.