Today, the Senate voted on establishing a bi-partisan commission on reducing the deficit. The vote failed, 53-46. 37 Democrats voted for it, and 16 Republicans. Wait. 16 Republicans? I thought they were the party of fiscal responsibility? I thought they've been screaming about deficits, debt and spending? (oh my)
With this vote, Republicans have made it clear. That is not the case. They do not care about our country's fiscal problems. Nor do they care about our safety, our world image, our health care, our economic well being, or anything at all. They've not even pretending to care anymore. The only thing they care about, is making President Obama look bad at all costs, in any way imaginable.
23 Senators shamelessly cast away all principles and beliefs today, purely to get in a political hit at President Obama. I will list all of them below the jump.
(note: let's not debate the actual merits of the bill, that's not the point of this diary, the point is the utterly disgusting politics being played by the Republican Party)
Here they are. I want you to call up and ask the offices of all of these Senators why they voted no on this bill, when they constantly preach the necessity of lowering our deficit and debt. Did they all suddenly change their minds?
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Kyl (R-AZ)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Snowe (R-ME)
Thune (R-SD)
You can Google each and every one of these senators and you will find quotes similar to this:
Senator Jim DeMint (R, SC)
"I just want this rampage toward spending and debt and government takeovers to slow down and let us work together."
Senator Chuck Grassley (R, IA)
"If President Obama wants embrace fiscal responsibility and reduce the deficit by cutting wasteful spending, Republicans on Capitol Hill will back him vigorously."
I guarantee it. Each and every one, within five minutes of searching, you will find them whining about spending, debt and deficits, and working together with Obama. And yet, they voted no. They talk the talk, but they most certainly do not walk the walk.
The majority of the Republican party is truly disgraceful nowadays. They do not have any principles to stand on. They are simply just the 'Party of No', and time and time again, they've shown through their actions that they embrace that title with open arms.