By George Dienhart
Recently, I’ve written about what is wrong with the way Americans are reacting to the War. Some have criticized me for placing the blame squarely on the Democrats shoulders. After today’s ridiculous proceedings in congress, I must ask if the blame doesn’t belong to the left, then where does it belong?
Today the Senate passed a bill calling for a pull out of Iraq. This is the companion bill to the one that squeaked by (218-208) in the house earlier. Today’s tally? An equally close 51-46.
Only two Republicans, Gordon Smith of Oregon and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, voted with 48 Democrats and Independent Bernard Sanders. Not a single Democrat cast his vote to fund the troops. When you add the “missing” votes of Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, you see that the vote would have been an even closer 51-48. Once again the only liberal that gets it is Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn). He voted against the legislation.
There are two truths evident. First, had Gordon Smith and Chuck Hagle actually sided with their party, this waste of legislation would have been properly defeated. Siding with Democrats isn’t a completely new idea for either of these men. Smith has a lifetime CU rating of approximately 75, Hagle has a slightly better 85. If they were voting their conscious, I’d be okay with the defection. Hagel has proven himself to be every bit as much an opportunist as the Democrats. He voted for the war, and then jumped of the band wagon to run for president. This is truly shameful behavior. Smith also voted for the war, only to later forsake the troops.
What about Illinois two Senators? I don’t even have to look, every Democrat voted against funding the troops. Not one broke the party line to do what is right. Sen. Durbin voted against funding the troops. Sen. Obama voted against funding the troops. They voted against a free Iraq. They voted against supporting a vital ally in the war against terror. They voted against the safety the American people.
That’s the other truth. Give this Democratic congress a chance to protect the nation and it’s allies from terror, and they turn their back. They specialize in writing pork loaded legislation, solely for political reasons. They don’t care about their constituents, and they would rather grab power by trying to embarrass America, rather than defend her. Don’t win on the basis of new ideas; win by trashing your opponent. Straight out of the Pelosi play book.
Our lady speaker could have stopped this she didn’t. She pledged to cut spending. Her party produced the most disgustingly pork laden bill ever. She pledged to reach out to Republicans. Instead she lets her party continue to try to win by inducing fear and doubt. She has not kept her promise on any important issues. She just panders to the ultra liberal leftists that have taken over her party.
The solution is clear. Get on the phones and let your Congressmen and Senators know that they made a mistake. Hold them accountable for leaving our brave men and women unfunded. Make them at least pretend to care if we win or lose the war.
