A little less than a week ago, I penned (pixeled?) a brief post entitled For the Children vs For Me?  For Me So Far!, the "children" in question being those without health insurance and the "me" being the fat cat politicos in the US Senate.  Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) had authored an amendment to the HHS bill that would mandate private or public health insurance for all children 18 years of age and under before any earmarks or pork could be spent out of that appropriation.  I predicted it would pass and then be shot down in committee so that the various Senators could claim that they voted for fiscal responsibility and for the children.  Well, as much as I hate to say it, I was wrong. The Senate didn't even have the guts to make that face saving gesture.  By a vote of 68 to 26 the amendment was voted down.  Now, when the Repubs vote against expansion of benefits for children the Dems call it "hate."  You know, the Repubs "hate" the Chil'ren!! So, by voting against this measure of Senator Coburn's, I would have to say that the same thing applies to those 68 "stalwarts."  They "hate" the children.

The 26 voting against tabling the amendment were all Republicans save Feingold (D-WI).  Those not voting were Biden of Delaware, Clinton of New York, Dodd of Conneticut, Kennedy of Massachusets, McCain of Arizona and Obama of Illinois.  All but Kennedy currently running for President, all having a brief attack of a profile in courage.  (NOT!)

I suggested in my earlier post that Dr. Coburn not hold his breath waiting for the amendment to be approved, at least in that I was correct.  And that is pretty damn sad when you think about it.  Sixty-eight damned Senators of this country, elected to the United States Senate to spend our money wisely would rather spend money on pork projects than be held accountable for their "It's For The Chil'ren" shibboleth.

So, the next time some jerk of a Congressman or Senator says "It's for the chil'ren," call them a liar to their face because you know, and they know that they are. 

Filed under:  Pork Busters

Posted at 06:44 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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