GOP Axes Dem's Earmarks

[OzarkDem]

If you live in a "blue" state or "blue" district, look out:

snip

The House Republican leadership has endorsed an effort by Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio), an appropriations cardinal, to punish Democrats en masse for their blanket opposition to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending package.

Regula’s plan to redirect all potential Democratic earmarks to vulnerable Republicans would breathe new life into a principle that Republican leaders have long wanted their more accommodating appropriators to enforce: If Democrats vote against appropriations bills, they shouldn’t expect special projects earmarked for their districts.

snip

http://www.hillnews.com/news/102203/earmarks.aspx

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. And we're surprised, why?

Was there any doubt that the Republicans have been practicing "crowding out" for years? They never intended to compromise. That's why pansys like Lieberman are not effective Democratic opponents to Republicans. He would just continually give in until there was no Democratic party platform to speak of.

[DarkPhenyx]

2. Mmmmmm, interesting.

I see that they went with the heavier blade this time, Mr. Basset. *sigh* Or if you prefer, "the beating will continue until your voting record improves."

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. This backfired on Newt Gingrich when he got heavy handed.

It will eventually backfire on Republicans as it also did to the Communist party when they did it in their country.

[salin]

5. also played into the backlash in 1994 (or the perception did)

that those divying up the money (think: Dan Rostenkowski) were so corrupt that they were no longer able to serve the citizens - that there was a HUGE backlash in the "voter term limits" movement.

I think this and other moves should start being documented and trumpted to counter the GOP = Christian propoganda/image they have tried to portray. Some suffering families in southern Indiana are deprived basics because the republicans want to amass political power - how Christian is that?

[BJ]

4. Smacks of totalitarianism.

(-snip-)
"...Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) commended the normally go-along, get-along Regula for his partisan fortitude in yesterday’s GOP conference meeting."
(-snip-)

Wonder what carrot or stick Hastert used on this guy? The Bushroveites goal is a rubberstamp Congress.

[OzarkDem]

6. Covering for Regula

He's one of those slick R's who try to look like nice guys, but are really right wingers. He just has good PR. No one will call him on anything because of the power he has.

Regula is no friend to Dems. This sort of thing is right up his alley.

[Democat]

7. Our side needs to learn to be this mean, or we will always lose

We are never going to get anywhere by being nice.

This is war.

Daschle was so pathetic when Democrats controled the Senate. We should have been destroying the Republicans like they are trying to destroy us.

Our party is full or worthless wimps who should get the hell out of politics so real fighting Democrats can take over.

Let us hope there are some fighting Democrats left in the world.