“In the midst of an economic crisis, government has an obligation to show some restraint. But looking at the final omnibus bill, Americans are likely to conclude that congressional leaders think government operates in a different realm of reality than the rest of the country. It seems some still believe members of Congress aren’t obliged to make any of the tough decisions that most other people do.”
McConnell notes that Republican amendments to the budget could have saved taxpayers billions of dollars. Yet Democrats defeated every single Republican amendment, including:
- Sen. John McCain's amendment to freeze spending at last year's level;
- an amendment to cut the duplicate spending that allows programs to double-dip in in the stimulus package and budget;
- a proposal to cut money going to a lobbying firm under investigation.
In addition to the waste, the Democrats rejected a Republican amendment to prohibit bringing back the Fairness Doctrine.
Democrats rejected a Republican proposal to allow the D.C. school voucher program to continue, even though it is wildly successful and saves money; this will force some classmates at Sasha and Malia Obama's private school to drop out.
Democrats would not even agree to a requirement, proposed by Republicans, that the Secretary of State certify that any funds spent for reconstruction in Gaza would not go to Hamas.
These are common sense amendments that most Americans support. Democrats voted down each and every one.
So much for the Age of Obamian Post-Partisanship.
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