The 15 Dems Who Tried To Block Telecom Immunity

[tired]

Source: Huffington Post

The debate over how the Bush administration has conducted its warrantless wiretapping program seems to be nearing a legislative end.

On Thursday, the United State Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance a legislative compromise on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, marking the beginning of the end of a fierce battle over civil liberties and national security that has been waged in the halls of Congress for more than three years.

And yet, for all of the political passions the issue engendered, the fight over FISA ended with something of a whimper. The final product -- much to the consternation of the progressive community -- gave the president wide authority to monitor terrorist suspects and collect communications from U.S. citizens without review. It also offered telecommunications companies that helped with the previously illegal program immunity from lawsuits, a hard provision to swallow for the program's opponents.

In the end, only 15 U.S. Senators were willing to resort to procedural tactics as a last ditch effort to hold up the legislation. The list of those who voted against cloture included:

Joseph Biden, DE
Barbara Boxer, CA
Sherrod Brown, OH
Maria Cantwell, WA
Chris Dodd, CT
Dick Durbin, IL
Russ Feingold, WI
Tom Harkin, IA
John Kerry, MA
Frank Lautenberg, NJ
Patrick Leahy, VT
Robert Menendez, NJ
Bernie Sanders, VT
Chuck Schumer, NY
Ron Wyden, OR

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/26/the-15-dems-who-tried-to_n_109304.html

---

I didn't see this posted anywhere else. Pretty sad.

[midnight]

1. I'm not sure if I have all the information about this topic, but

wasn't it postponed until July?

[Cronus Protagonist]

2. Hmmmm Barack Obama isn't on that list

n/t

[PatSeg]

3. No, he isn't

Feingold discussed it with Blitzer: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x151545

[atreides1]

5. He wasn't there for the cloture vote

But he'll probably be there for the final vote, and will vote yes.

[readmoreoften]

35. Edit. Stupid comment.

[Leopolds Ghost]

43. If he does that (and he supported cloture) he's not getting my vote.

Even Dems have standards. Standards are defined by setting red-line expectations.

[jgraz]

20. And neither is Hillary.

Apparently our "fighters" were otherwise engaged.

[LVjinx]

29. Hillary ain't the nominee

If she did something, she would be accused of trying to undercut Obama.

[Swamp Rat]

31. Poor excuses.

BOTH were not there, and that REALLY SUCKS!

[KansDem]

4. 14 Democrats and 1 Independent

Bernie Sanders is an Independent.

Funny how those with "independent minds" tend to side with Dems.

[robcon]

7. I don't understand your reference to Sanders "tend to side with Dems"

Sanders voted with the minority of Dems. Most Dems voted for cloture.

[KansDem]

11. He tends to come down on the side of Democrats in most of his votes

I didn't mean to imply he was with the "majority" of Dems on this one.

Here's an overview of his voting record:

Bernie Sanders on Abortion
Click here for 19 full quotes on Abortion OR background on Abortion.
Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
Voted NO on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
Voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
Voted NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
Voted NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
Emergency contraception for rape victims at all hospitals. (Sep 2006)
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
Provide emergency contraception at military facilities. (Apr 2007)
Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)


Bernie Sanders on Budget & Economy
Click here for 2 full quotes on Budget & Economy OR background on Budget & Economy.
Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)


Bernie Sanders on Civil Rights
Click here for 13 full quotes on Civil Rights OR background on Civil Rights.
Bush's tracking citizens' phone call patterns is illegal. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)
Rated 93% by the ACLU, indicating a pro-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)


Bernie Sanders on Corporations
Click here for 4 full quotes on Corporations OR background on Corporations.
Voted NO on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)
Require Code of Conduct for US corporations abroad. (Aug 2001)
Rated 14% by the US COC, indicating an anti-business voting record. (Dec 2003)


Bernie Sanders on Crime
Click here for 10 full quotes on Crime OR background on Crime.
Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
Voted YES on maintaining right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals. (Mar 1996)
Voted NO on making federal death penalty appeals harder. (Feb 1995)
Voted YES on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment. (Apr 1994)
Rated 78% by CURE, indicating pro-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)
Rated 61% by the NCJA, indicating a "soft-on-crime" stance. (Dec 2005)


Bernie Sanders on Drugs
Click here for 3 full quotes on Drugs OR background on Drugs.
Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
Voted NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests. (Sep 1998)
Legalize medical marijuana. (Jul 2001)


Bernie Sanders on Education
Click here for 10 full quotes on Education OR background on Education.
Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Oct 2007)
Voted YES on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001)
Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997)
Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
Reduce class size to 18 children in grades 1 to 3. (Mar 2001)
Rated 83% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)


Bernie Sanders on Energy & Oil
Click here for 17 full quotes on Energy & Oil OR background on Energy & Oil.
Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
Regulate wholesale electricity & gas prices. (Mar 2001)
Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it. (Feb 2001)
Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness. (Nov 2007)
Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025. (Jan 2007)


Bernie Sanders on Environment
Click here for 8 full quotes on Environment OR background on Environment.
Voted NO on prohibiting eminent domain for use as parks or grazing land. (Dec 2007)
Voted YES on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (May 2006)
Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
Voted NO on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
Prohibits commercial logging on Federal public lands. (Apr 2001)
Rated 90% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)


Bernie Sanders on Families & Children
Click here for 5 full quotes on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.
Voted NO on establishing nationwide AMBER alert system for missing kids. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)
Member of the Missing & Exploited Children's Caucus. (Jan 2001)
Rated 7% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
Ban high lead levels in children's toys. (Nov 2005)


Bernie Sanders on Foreign Policy
Click here for 12 full quotes on Foreign Policy OR background on Foreign Policy.
Voted YES on deterring foreign arms transfers to China. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)
Allow Americans to travel to Cuba. (May 2000)
Member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. (Jan 2001)
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)
Urge China to respect religious freedom. (Mar 2001)
Impose sanctions and an import ban on Burma. (Oct 2007)


Bernie Sanders on Free Trade
Click here for 9 full quotes on Free Trade OR background on Free Trade.
Voted NO on promoting free trade with Peru. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
Rated 33% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues. (Dec 2002)
No MFN for China; condition trade on human rights. (Nov 1999)


Bernie Sanders on Government Reform
Click here for 11 full quotes on Government Reform OR background on Government Reform.
Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions. (Feb 2002)
Voted NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
Proportional IRV voting for Electoral College. (Mar 2001)
Criminalize false or deceptive info about elections. (Nov 2005)


Bernie Sanders on Gun Control
Click here for 5 full quotes on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.
Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record. (Dec 2003)


Bernie Sanders on Health Care
Click here for 19 full quotes on Health Care OR background on Health Care.
Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
MEDS Plan: Cover senior Rx under Medicare. (Jan 2001)
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
Collect data on birth defects and present to the public. (Apr 1998)
Make health care a right, not a privilege. (Nov 1999)


Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security
Click here for 17 full quotes on Homeland Security OR background on Homeland Security.
Voted YES on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
Voted NO on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on supporting new position of Director of National Intelligence. (Dec 2004)
Voted NO on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. (Oct 2004)
Voted NO on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on permitting commercial airline pilots to carry guns. (Jul 2002)
Voted NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
End the use of anti-personnel mines. (Mar 2001)
Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror. (Jun 2007)


Bernie Sanders on Immigration
Click here for 10 full quotes on Immigration OR background on Immigration.
Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
Voted NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)
Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)


Bernie Sanders on Jobs
Click here for 11 full quotes on Jobs OR background on Jobs.
Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on limiting farm subsidies to people earning under $750,000. (Dec 2007)
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
Voted NO on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
Voted NO on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)
Member of the Congressional Rural Caucus. (Jan 2001)
Require full disclosure of outsourced employees. (Feb 2001)
Rated 100% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)


Bernie Sanders on Principles & Values
Click here for 6 full quotes on Principles & Values OR background on Principles & Values.
Current administration has numbed American outrage. (Jun 2005)
Religious affiliation: Jewish. (Nov 2000)
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. (Oct 2001)
Profiled in "Jews in American Politics". (Jan 2001)
Rated 83% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. (Nov 2007)


Bernie Sanders on Social Security
Click here for 6 full quotes on Social Security OR background on Social Security.
Despite GOP rhetoric, Social Security is NOT going bankrupt. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
Voted NO on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)


Bernie Sanders on Tax Reform
Click here for 19 full quotes on Tax Reform OR background on Tax Reform.
Capital gains & dividend tax cuts are giveaways to the rich. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Voted NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
Voted NO on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
American People's Dividend: Give $300 to every person. (Feb 2001)
Rated 28% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)


Bernie Sanders on Technology
Click here for 9 full quotes on Technology OR background on Technology.
Voted YES on $23B instead of $4.9B for waterway infrastructure. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on establishing "network neutrality" (non-tiered Internet). (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on increasing fines for indecent broadcasting. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on promoting commercial human space flight industry. (Nov 2004)
Voted YES on banning Internet gambling by credit card. (Jun 2003)
Voted NO on allowing telephone monopolies to offer Internet access. (Feb 2002)
Promote internet via Congressional Internet Caucus. (Jan 2001)
Facilitate nationwide 2-1-1 phone line for human services. (Jan 2007)
Ensure net neutrality: no corporate-tiered Internet. (Jan 2007)

On the Issues -- Bernie Sanders

Wish he were my Senator...

[Gman]

6. Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat

and Obama's not on that list.

[jgraz]

21. Yes, please don't slander a good man with rumors of unsavory associations.

[jus_the_facts]

8. No surprise DINO Landrieu's name isn't on there. eom.

[rudy23]

10. Oh I think we know how Landrieuberman is going to vote. nt

[jus_the_facts]

22. Backstabbing traitor that she is...of course.. eom,

[underpants]

9. #5

[redqueen]

18. Dodd?

What?

[underpants]

23. Recommend #5

[xxqqqzme]

12. Our Constitution defenders.

Is Robert Byrd still out?

[liberal N proud]

13. Thanks Sharrod

My Senator is on the list.

:bounce:

[Hail Lama]

14. Et tu Barrack

Please help US Barrack... Please save the CONSTITUTION!!!

[Leopolds Ghost]

44. Barack supports the bill and opposes cloture. Said so himself.

Fuck anyone who supports the bill, BTW.

[psychmommy]

15. i have 2 senators on that list. nj represented.

i emailed my senators and i must not have been the only one. you did me proud me senators.

[readmoreoften]

34. I love Lautenberg but he broke my heart when he voted for the MCA

How bad must this be if he thought it was WORSE than ending Habeus Corpus?

[redqueen]

16. Only 15...

wow. That is beyond disappointing.

[HughBeaumont]

17. Sherrod Brown -

2016 VP selection/Presidential candidate?

I'd be honored.

[coffeenap]

19. Even in defeat, it feels good to be able to depend on my senator--

Dick Durbin. He comes through every time. Thank you Senator Durbin.

[tired]

24. Both of my senators are republican

Cant count on them for shit.

[grace0418]

26. Dick Durbin pretty much always fights for us.

Good man. I'm proud he's my senator.

[grace0418]

25. Well, at least one of my senators (Dick Durbin) is on the list.

Obama should've been on the list too. I'm sorry he isn't. It doesn't make me sorry I voted for him but it does make me a bit disappointed.

[warren pease]

27. Shockingly...

the honorable gentleman from Nevada -- the guy who was talking bad and posturing and speechifying about filibustering the other day -- the senate MAJORITY leader who can choose to ignore the damn bill or, best of all, "take it off the table..." That guy, remember? Tweed or Seed or Weed or Feed or Concede... something like that?

The lying rat bastard's not on the list.

Maybe it's time I wrote this failure my own strongly worded letter and this time, instead of pleading with him to do what should be second nature for any democrat worthy of the name, start telling him what a useless quisling asshole enabling waste of oxygen conniving complicit collaborating bastard he's turned out to be.

It really is a one-party system after all. They really are all members of the business party and their only allegiance is to the corporate bastards who bribe them to screw the people and reward their real employers.

All that power, all that privilege, all that potential... And what do they do with it? They grovel and whine and posture and scam and connive and suck up and glad-hand and, when they think nobody's looking, they stuff their pockets with the spoils of corruption, courtesy of the army of Gucci Gulch bagmen.

Fuck them all -- every damn last one of them except these 15, the couple dozen actual representatives of the people left in the house and a few remaining honest regulators and whistleblowers.

The Reids and Pelosis and Hoyers and the rest of these truly astounding frauds and serial liars can take the A Train to hell -- or my place, where I'll take an enormous amount of personal pleasure in kicking their sagging asses half way into the next millennium.

I'd offer them a ride, but they've got their corporate jets and such to travel in. Oooops... There's another vote for the private jet lobby. Followed shortly by another visit from the Gulfstream Keeps America First PAC's financial representatives, another $2K as a deposit toward the next favorable vote from the Good Government Means Resurfaced American Landing Strips for Freedom PAC and so on into political hell.

Denmark, anyone?


wp

[robinlynne]

28. posted everywhere yesterday. several times on DU.

(not knocking that you didn't see it.)

[Danger Mouse]

30. Wow, SCHUMER? Well, at least one of my senators came through!

WTG, Chuck!

[newmajority]

32. I don't know which I should find more shocking....

The fact that Maria Cantwell IS on that list, or that Patty Murray isn't.

[Missy Vixen]

36. I'm with you

Where the hell was Patty Murray?

To say I find it shocking that Maria Cantwell decided to be a Democrat yesterday is an understatement.

Julie

[LaPera]

33. Only NJ & VT had both senators vote against it....My other senator, Feinstein, voted for it.

[Kool Kitty]

39. I love my Senators.

The Jersey Boys.

[Leopolds Ghost]

45. Mfume would have voted against it... this is machine politics. Expand gov't power and corp. power

Eviscerate the rights of the citizenry.

Lamont, too. Another machine-squashed candidate.

[defendandprotect]

37. Glad to see Lautenberg there -- NJ Sen . . . and Biden . . !!!

[jillan]

38. Love you Joe Biden!

I knew I could count on him.

[Leopolds Ghost]

40. What does this have to do with the "progressive" community, according to HuffPost?

they seem to think this is a "liberal" issue that "leftists" care about.

[Leopolds Ghost]

42. "consternation of the progressive community" = "normal Americans don't care, just y'know, lefties."

[Leopolds Ghost]

41. Obama not on that list.

Good luck in his future endeavors.