When I agree with Michelle Malkin....

By Fester:

The Stimulus Bill passed the House of Representatives last night with a vote of 244 Ayes and 188 Nays.  Michelle Malkin writes the following passage:

Own it. Embrace it. Swallow it. The House version of the $1.1 trillion Generational Theft Act of 2009 is all the Democrats’ doing now.

Not one Republican voted for it. (1 Republican had to leave early).

177 Republicans and 11 Democrats opposed.

96% of Democrats voted for it, and 100% of Republicans voted against it.  This is a clear dividing line that will not protect the 4% of Democrats who voted against it.  And whatever the perceived impact of the stimulus package, it will be clear to the public who is responsible for either the good times or the crappy economy. 

So I agree with Malkin --- OWN IT --- and make it a damn good act.  Most of the concessions that were made in order to attract some Republican votes were things that would make it more likely for the act to fail.  Send this bill to the Senate, get approval there with a minimal winning coalition and send it back into reconciliation where the dumbest of the tax cuts can be stripped out, Medicaid reimbursement placed back in, and increased infrastructure spending is added.  Make the damn thing work as there is no political advantage of giving ineffective policy concessions to a party that will not deliver votes.  If the GOP does not want to buy in with their votes, then they should not get expensive concessions that are ineffective.  My recommendation is to steal good GOP ideas as the only form of concessions. 

Comments

[Peter G.]

I thought you made a typo then I realized those opposing Democrats were worth only about 4$. When you're right you're right.

Unfortunately it was a typo on my part --- Fester :)