There simply is no excuse for corporate welfare, and you would think Republicans would know better. Perhaps they better think twice about invoking Reagan’s legacy every five minutes if they keep trying nonsense like this:
House Republicans are trying to slip through a measure that would provide almost $10 billion in buyout payments to tobacco growers in return for eliminating an outmoded price support system under which many of them are losing out to foreign competition anyway. The buyout is a bad idea in principle. Farmers should not be bribed every time Washington decides to end a subsidy program. But the particular buyout proposal being pushed through the House is especially harmful. It would use general revenues rather than tobacco industry funds to pay for the buyout, drive up the federal deficit and provide no role for the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco.
The tobacco proposal is one of many questionable measures that are being loaded onto a bill whose main purpose is to repeal an export tax break that was ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization and led to punitive tariffs by the European Union. The underlying bill has been slow to gain support, so House Ways and Means Committee leaders have added sweeteners to gain backing.
Not only is the funding a bad idea, but they are attempting sneak it through the process.
If Bush loses the election, I think a good portion of the blame can be placed on the utter fiscal irresponsibility of the ‘conservative’ House of Representatives. This does not let Bush off the hook, as he has not vetoed one bill in his term.
Slartibartfast
Couldn’t agree more, John. There’s nothing I can think of in conservative thinking that could account for this sort of thing.
Lex
Hear, hear.
Clang
Agree with most of your post, much to my surprise.
Except for the last bit. Bush not to blame? As you pointed out yourself, he didn’t veto any bills.
Why do Bush apologists have such a problem with accountability and personal responsibility when it comes to Bush?
John Cole
C;lang- This is your umpteenth post in several days, and I am now starting to believe you skim posts or really just can’t read.
What part of “This does not let Bush off the hook, as he has not vetoed one bill in his term” means that I am not blaming Bush?
The point is that those in the House have been writing and forcing silly legislation through the House for 3 years now, and forcing the more moderate (and oft times sensible Senate) along with it.
You are aware how bills are written, right?
Clang
It’s the peyote, man.
John Cole
LOL- I think you are just guilty of Cole syndrome. Skimming posts and going off half-cocked.
Slartibartfast
I usually plead Mescalito, myself.
Clang
Must be cool to have a syndrome named after you, Cole!
Kimmitt
My understanding is that the budget bills Bush prepares and submits to the House are pretty awful to start with. This is very much a meeting of the minds — Bush trying to break the bank, and the House Leadership ready and willing to assist.
Justin R. Ogren
I’m gonna play russian roulette with myself and the tv if I don’t hear the same 3 things about Reagan repeated on the same channel.
Fuck Reagan…… period.
Legacy my ass….
Tons of problems in his presidency, he was down on the hippies too when his daughter was one