Yesterday's Economic Rescue/Bailout Plan contained hundreds of millions of dollars of what John McCain calls "Pork Barrel Spending." We 're talking $195M in tax cuts to Puerto Rican rum makers, millions to makers of children's wooden toys, race track makers, and wool fibers. Hundreds of millions in earmarks and pork barrel spending!
http://www.dailykos..../393/707/617623
Thu Oct 02, 2008 at 07:37:01 AM PDT
I normally wouldn't beg for recommendations, but I think we need to pounce on this opportunity to prove that John McCain is a Washington Insider and his "tough talk" on earmarks is nothing but EMPTY RHETORIC! We all remember John McCain's angry pledge during his convention speech: he promised to veto the first bill on his desk that included pork barrel spending. He told us he'd teach them a lesson and "make famous" the politician who had the nerve to ask for an earmark. The crowd roared.
</h4> In last Friday's debate, John McCain continued his tirade on earmarks and pork barrel spending. It was his response to nearly every economic question. Cutting earmarks is the hallmark of his economic plan. He said they lead to corruption and that several politicians are behind bars because of them. He said that he's a maverick who would change Worshin'ton and again promised to veto any bill that included pork barrel spending.
But yesterday John McCain was given his first opportunity during the whole campaign to PROVE how he'd live out his campaign promises. And what did he do? He BROKE his promise. He didn't change Washington or stand up to it!
Yesterday's Economic Rescue/Bailout Plan contained hundreds of millions of dollars of what John McCain calls "Pork Barrel Spending." We're talking $195M in tax cuts to Puerto Rican rum makers, millions to makers of children's wooden toys, race track makers, and wool fibers. HUNDREDS of MILLIONS in EARMARKS and PORK BARREL SPENDING!
And what did John McCain do? Surely he lived out his strongest campaign pledge, right? Surely he stood on the Senate floor and said "You know, this economic rescue plan is critical to the country. But I've PROMISED the American Public that I will veto any bill that contains pork barrel spending. It's corrupt and it's wasteful. As a matter of principle, I cannot support this bill. I vote No."
Um, no. That's not what happened. Instead, John McCain caved and voted yes to a bill that included Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Pork Barrel Spending.
If John McCain can't live up to his promises and his principals during the campaign, then how do we ever expect him to live up to them once he's elected and no longer has to placate us? This bill had support. It passed by 75-25, so John McCain's vote was not the critical tie breaker. He could have easily voiced his overwhelming support for the bill, but voted no on principal. But, he chose not to. Why? Because his promise is EMPTY RHETORIC. He gets people riled up on this issue, but has no intention of changing it.
Earmarks are the ONLY issue on John McCain's economic platform and he just proved that he has no intention (or capability) of changing the system. He goes right along with it when it's convenient to him. He couldn't stand up to earmarks when it conflicted with his campaign image of trying to be a leader on this bailout bill. Like all politicians, he uses pork spending to leverage votes for bills that he wants. That's how the system works and John McCain is part of the Washington Insider System.<.</p>
Today John McCain was on Morning Joe, touting his usual line about how it's a disgrace this bill was full of wasteful pork. And how a president has to take a stand no matter how important the bill is and veto it. How DARE you, Mr. McCain. How dare you lie to us. How dare you break your promises. And how DARE you think we're so stupid that we don't realize you are an integral part of the system you publicly despise. YOU are what's broken about Washington, Sir.
Clearly Mr. McCain, you've proven you are NOTHING but empty rhetoric and broken promises.
Edited by Iam Empathy, 02 October 2008 - 08:53 PM.
