Author Topic: Senate version of bailout is now 451 pages of earmarks, pork... (Read 6908 times)

Manedwolf · « **on:** October 01, 2008, 10:04:28 AM »

It's up on THOMAS and some other .govs, but it won't let me link properly.

Some of the highlights people have pointed out, though:

Quote

New tax earmarks in Bailout bill

* Film and Television Productions (Up to $15,000,000.00; Sec. 502)
* Wooden Arrows designed for use by children (Sec. 503)
* 6 page package of earmarks for litigants in the 1989 Exxon Valdez incident, Alaska (Sec. 504)

Tax earmark "extenders" in the bailout bill

* Virgin Island and Puerto Rican Rum (Section 308)
* American Samoa (Sec. 309)
* Mine Rescue Teams (Sec. 310)
* Mine Safety Equipment (Sec. 311)
* Domestic Production Activities in Puerto Rico (Sec. 312)
* Indian Tribes (Sec. 314, 315)
* Railroads (Sec. 316)
* Auto Racing Tracks (317)
* District of Columbia (Sec. 322)
* Wool Research (Sec. 325)

Our government at work.

MicroBalrog · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2008, 10:07:14 AM »

Frankly I'd rather have earmarks than have Paulson assign the money by executive whim.

agricola · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2008, 10:09:58 AM »

Your politics is crazy! *taps head*

Lennyjoe · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2008, 10:19:26 AM »

http://robots.cnnfn.com/2008/10/01/news/pdf/index.htm

sumpnz · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2008, 10:44:00 AM »

Well, I just left messages for both Murray and Cantwell expressing my opposition to the bailout. Doubt it'll do much good, but I've done my part.

41magsnub · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2008, 11:01:13 AM »

This is almost a compelling argument for a line item veto... almost.. besides that pesky not constitutional thing.

Manedwolf · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2008, 11:03:42 AM »

Quote from: 41magsnub on October 01, 2008, 10:01:13 AM

This is almost a compelling argument for a line item veto... almost.. besides that pesky not constitutional thing.

I think it's more a candidate for the sort of thing that happened in the 19th century, when some people in Congress got beaten with a cane.

Even with something this supposedly important, they can't resist the stupid appropriations for ridiculous things.

Lennyjoe · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2008, 11:03:47 AM »

I breezed through the bill and seen a couple of earmarks that make no sense.

SEC. 502. PROVISIONS RELATED TO FILM AND TELEVISION
PRODUCTIONS.

SEC. 503. EXEMPTION FROM EXCISE TAX FOR CERTAIN
WOODEN ARROWS DESIGNED FOR USE BY CHILDREN

Other than that, no ACORN or anything else that would be misappropriation of said funds.

I wonder, my property in Arizona is not what I would concider a "troubled asset" to me. But, what if my mortgage company turns the assets over to the .gov? How will that affect me?

buzz_knox · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2008, 11:09:27 AM »

Quote from: Lennyjoe on October 01, 2008, 10:03:47 AM

I wonder, my property in Arizona is not what I would concider a "troubled asset" to me. But, what if my mortgage company turns the assets over to the .gov? How will that affect me?

Your contract should still control. Unless you've got a provision allowing for readjustment of the rates upon a change in ownership of the note (or unless Congress decides to screw around with such notes), you shouldn't see much of a change other than a new address to send payments. Now, if you miss a payment, you'll be dealing with the federal bureaucracy and all the joy that entails.

longeyes · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2008, 01:37:21 PM »

Glad they covered rum--anything in there for the lash and sodomy? grin

(thank you, Winston)

MicroBalrog · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2008, 01:39:11 PM »

Quote

Even with something this supposedly important, they can't resist the stupid appropriations for ridiculous things.

That's EXACTLY why they're putting these there, they're hoping it's too important to get shot down.

The Annoyed Man · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2008, 01:49:48 PM »

Just emailed my state's senators. I can't email my district Representative, because the House.gov site is still down. I had a few words to share about that 'yes' vote.

EDIT: Ooh ho ho. It's back up. Now, where did I put that file? grin

TOo bad the site is at a crawl-pace.

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2008, 02:55:21 PM »

McCain needs to get out in front of this thing and make a stand against all of the earmarks.

Crosshair · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2008, 03:38:42 PM »

I called all of my Congressional reps. Thankfully, both my Senators are against this bailout. The guy in the House voted FOR the bailout on Monday. angry

longeyes · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2008, 04:18:12 PM »

Quote

McCain needs to get out in front of this thing and make a stand against all of the earmarks.

You're kidding, right? Maybe there's a tax break in there for beer distributors.

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2008, 04:34:18 PM »

The bill just passed in the Senate. The vote was 75-25, IIRC.

Nitrogen · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2008, 04:57:13 PM »

I swear, if you are going to be in government, you should be required to take advanced American history.

Do we EVER learn??

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2008, 05:00:58 PM »

Quote from: longeyes on October 01, 2008, 03:18:12 PM

Quote

McCain needs to get out in front of this thing and make a stand against all of the earmarks.

You're kidding, right? Maybe there's a tax break in there for beer distributors.

Why would I be kidding?

Did you watch the debate the other night? McCain spent the first half hour railing against earmarks, and describing all that he's done over the years to prevent pork spending. Well, now he has (had) a prime opportunity to practice what he preaches by opposing all of the pork in this bailout bill.

He had a golden opportunity, and he blew it.

Liberty.45ACP · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2008, 05:42:32 PM »

Quote from: nobody's_hero on October 01, 2008, 12:49:48 PM

Just emailed my state's senators. I can't email my district Representative, because the House.gov site is still down. I had a few words to share about that 'yes' vote.

EDIT: Ooh ho ho. It's back up. Now, where did I put that file? grin

TOo bad the site is at a crawl-pace.

Try using congress.org instead. It's been going the entire time.

K Frame · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2008, 05:51:51 PM »

MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Pork....

Monkeyleg · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2008, 06:53:50 PM »

Quote from: Mike Irwin on October 01, 2008, 04:51:51 PM

MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Pork....

The other white meat.

Wait. Can I say that?

roo_ster · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2008, 06:56:13 PM »

McCain ad on the current mess:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YmQ0OTI5ZGI2NjFhYmFkMjIyZjVlMzUxNmNmOTFlOTM=

longeyes · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2008, 08:07:23 PM »

Quote

Did you watch the debate the other night? McCain spent the first half hour railing against earmarks, and describing all that he's done over the years to prevent pork spending. Well, now he has (had) a prime opportunity to practice what he preaches by opposing all of the pork in this bailout bill.

He had a golden opportunity, and he blew it.

Earmarks are not the big economic problem; that's just one of McCain's obsessions (and he has several). He stood there smiling while Obama said he'd lowered taxes for 95 per cent of Americans. How a guy who has promised to raise payroll, capital gains, dividends, corporate, and inheritance taxes is going to help Mr and Mrs Middle America is beyond me.

McCain could take his game to the small business person and entrepreneur. LOTS of votes there. But he's clueless about that, maybe because he's never been involved in small business himself.

McCain had better hope the Russians act up in the next few weeks.

RadioFreeSeaLab · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2008, 09:32:38 PM »

You know what, f congress. That's all I have to say on the matter.

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2008, 10:47:38 PM »

I'm a banker and mortgage broker...

News:

Author Topic: Senate version of bailout is now 451 pages of earmarks, pork... (Read 6908 times)