Democrats sell out in Congress
Toolbox
Published: June 24, 2008
This past Friday was a sad day for Democrats and liberals around the country. This was the day we learned for sure that Democratic control of the House and Senate means absolutely nothing. This was the day that the House approved passage of the amended FISA bill — the bill that virtually assures immunity to law-breaking telecommunications companies and grants the government new powers to spy upon its citizens.
Nancy Pelosi has tried to paint this legislation a s a compromise, but all but one Republican voted for this bill, while more than half the Democrats voted against it. The New York Times called this legislation "a major victory for the White House," and Republican Sen. Christopher Bond (Missouri) said, "I think the White House got a better deal than they even had hoped to get."
Does that sound like a compromise? With most of the compromises I've seen, both sides are somewhat dissastisfied. So why is it that only Democrats are dissatisfied with this bill? Let's remember this fact: Democrats control both chambers of Congress.
Clearly this was no compromise. It was a capitulation to George W. Bush, the most unpopular president in history. And it was a capitulation to those huge campaign donors: AT&T, Comcast, etc.
Sadly, Barack Obama, who was a vocal opponent of telecommunications amnesty during the primaries, didn't take any stand on this issue when it mattered. As the current leader of his party, he could have stepped in, but instead chose to remain mute. Whatever else he may be, we now know that Obama is just a politician. Even if he wins the White House, nothing will change.
With leadership like this, I have to ask myself why I would ever support a Democrat again — in any race. That's why I'm going to vote for Anthony Pollina for governor. I hope Ralph Nader is on the ballot.
STEPHEN ZEOLI
Hubbardton
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