Ben Nelson, corporate shill

[marmar]

Sam Stein [e-mail] | HuffPost

Nelson Flips On Regulatory Reform After Buffett Provision Removed
First Posted: 04-26-10 06:58 PM | Updated: 04-26-10 07:26 PM


Democrats were surprised on Monday evening when Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) did an abrupt about-face and became the only Democrat to help filibuster legislation to revamp Wall Street regulations.

The removal of a provision that would have dramatically benefited financial tycoon and Nebraska native Warren Buffett, it was said, played a role in the Senator's flip.

"He was on board until today and the only thing that changed was the removal of that provision," said one Democratic aide, who definitively said Nelson changed his vote because the Buffett carveout was removed.

Nelson did not address the language change when talking to reporters immediately after the vote, in which the legislation was stalled, 57 to 41, with 57 senators voting to proceed. Instead, Nelson said he was worried the "legislation will adversely impact Main Street when the focus needs to be on Wall Street. ... I don't think everyone is aware of the unintended consequences." ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/26/nelson-flips-on-regulator_n_552742.html

[BurtWorm]

1. The new Lieberman.

Only even more constipated, if that can be imagined.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. Nothing new about him.

He and Lieberman have been the Bobsy twins since that 50-50 split in the senate. Remember that? They found out what power is all about, and aren't giving an inch now.

I'm writing to my Senator again. But it won't matter again. That's the way Ben rolls.

I can't actively campaign against him here, though. He claims to be a Democrat.

[BurtWorm]

4. He's your Senator?

At least Nebraskans have the option of really laying into that fat, constipated pig for representing his wealthy buddies instead of the people of his state. He should really pay for pulling this shit over and over again.

[LiberalAndProud]

5. I have laid into him more than once.

It's rather disheartening. He sends me his position paper every time. Fed up -> me. I let the Nebraska Democrats know that they will see no more money from me as long as Ben is one.

No money. No vote. I am finished with him, without regard to how evil the contender is, the ballot will remain unmarked in that box.

[BurtWorm]

8. Have you ever ripped up one of his letters and mailed it back

requesting a real answer specific to your concerns? That has worked for me. You may get a snide response, but it gets their attention. Blowhards especially get their hackles up over that tactic.

[LiberalAndProud]

11. I'll try that. I expect another letter from him soon.

Meantime, I need to let Johanns know what I think of him. That might be fun. Any ideas what we should be saying to our RepubliCon Reps?

[BurtWorm]

12. I'm lucky-ish to be represented by two Democrats.

But I think I would just unload on any Republican I could unload on, just tell them what cowards and robots I think they are, how little I respect them for standing with their party when it's their country that needs them, how I will make my own small effort to work for their defeat and will continue to be a thorn in their side until they leave office. I might even say I would let them know when I thought they did the right thing, but they know as well as I do that they're more beholden to the leadership of their party than they are to their constituency (let alone the nation), and that the moral cowardice amd lack of independent thought being so highly rewarded by their party's leadership, there's no chance in hell they'd ever do anything truly praiseworthy. The little shits.

[Lord Helmet]

3. Nelson is a douche.

[Enthusiast]

6. Nelson is worse than any douche. nt

[AnArmyVeteran]

7. 'Shill' is too nice. "Corporate prostitute" is a better description of him...

[ooglymoogly]

13. Corporate bum boy? kr nt

[oldlib]

9. It is obvious...

That this man has been bought by corporate interests. I would hope that the good Democrats in Nebraska, realizing this, would replace him at the next election.

[kenny blankenship]

10. Does Nebraska need Federal money for roads and bridges and schools ?

I suggest Sen. Nelson consider that Nebraska is not exactly a self-funding economic powerhouse of a state and that continued access to those Federal monies should become his top concern, along with supporting the Democratic Party agenda.

On the other hand, if the Democratic Party itself lacks the will to move its agenda, and to deal sternly with shit flies like Ben Nelson when they pop up to obstruct the agenda, why look to that party for positive change? Nelson has proved amply what he's about. Time now for the Democratic Party to prove what it's about.