A Senate That Can't Be Bothered to Help Workers

[babylonsister]

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/389840/a_senate_that_can_t_be_bothered_to_help_workers?rel=hp_blogs_box

A Senate That Can't Be Bothered to Help Workers
posted by John Nichols on 12/12/2008 @ 8:22pm


U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, the Wisconsin Democrat who grew up in the car-factory town of Janesville, had the right reaction to the latest proposal to provide needed federal funding to keep American autoworkers on the job.

He's no fan of bailouts for business. Indeed, he voted against the no-strings-attached bank bailout that the Congress backed in September.

But, Feingold said, "I supported this plan to help the U.S. auto industry because without this assistance, millions of American jobs, including tens of thousands in Wisconsin, will be jeopardized. In these tough economic times, allowing our auto manufacturers to fail could be catastrophic for our economy and could send already increasing unemployment levels skyrocketing."

Unfortunately, that wasn't how Senate Republicans -- and a few Democrats -- saw things.

A minority of senators established what was effectively a filibuster to block the $14 billion auto bailout bill -- despite the fact that it was backed by the Bush administration.

The move may have killed efforts to aid the industry this year, although the issue is so urgent that it could yet be revisited.

snip//

What's the bottom line?

Again, Feingold's on point: "I am greatly disappointed that some Senators didn't hesitate to bail out Wall Street, but decided not to help millions of working class Americans."

[glowing]

1. I want names on the DEMs who objected.

[SharonAnn]

2. Max Baucus, Montana and Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas

[GodDamLiberal]

3. And

Jon Tester (.-MT)