An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for Senate
Tennessee Deserves Better
Sen Lamar Alexander Demands NEW SALES TAX!!!
Tennessee conservatives who have long despised Republican Senator Lamar Alexander due to his liberal record are again bitterly angry about his latest antic: he will be introducing legislation requiring a nationwide sales tax!
Personally, I don’t “despise” Alexander. I just don’t trust him! How can a conservative trust a man who only scores 66%? A true conservative would score at least 90% or higher.
In essence Senator Alexander proposes to tax ALL online purchases.
I guess he’s not aware that Tennessee has a fairly high unemployment rate, and people just don’t have a whole lot of extra money for even MORE taxes.
Actions such as these have caused conservatives within his own party to refer to him as “Large-Government-Lamar”. This particular shenanigan seems to have been in cahoots with Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam who in recent weeks has also openly advocated for a national tax scheme. Political experts have noted that Alexander’s drafting legislation for brand new taxes in addition to previous discontent from the rank-and-file of the Republican Party may threaten the Senator’s reelection bid if a viable primary challenger emerges; although there is speculation that Governor Haslam plans to run for the seat held by Senator Lamar Alexander upon his retirement.
Well, let’s face it, Haslam isn’t a conservative either. Honestly, I did hold my nose when I voted for him in the general, but I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and he’s a rather nice guy, but nice guys don’t really make strong conservative leaders. I hope we can find someone to challenge both Haslam and Alexander. I have one particular person in mind for Senate, but I doubt he’ll go for it. He’s a TRUE conservative. I’m thinking perhaps Marsha Blackburn would make a pretty good governor. 
Either way, Tennessee needs strong conservative leadership to represent us in D.C. Lamar Alexander does not fit that bill!
H/T: Jerry
Crime and Politics
But I repeat myself. I would very much like to know why all those BOUGHT politicians are not behind bars? One more reason NOT to keep re-electing the same ones over and over again. They are there to do the PEOPLE’S will, not some fat cat lobbyists! And yeah, no Washington insider should ever be allowed to become lobbyist!
Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America’s Most Notorious Lobbyist
World Net Daily has signed copies for a bit more.
Interesting
Apparently, Senator Bob Corker has an opponent in the primary.
I’m Zach Poskevich and I am running for United States Senate in the state of Tennessee because I cherish this country and I firmly believe we have an obligation to restore our government to the principles that our founding fathers intended. My life experiences have shaped who I am today, so let me tell you a little more about where I came from. I appreciate your interest in getting to know more about me.
Well now… I think I just might have to look a bit further into this young fellow. While Corker isn’t as much of a RINO as Lamar Alexander, he has not been as strong on conservative principles as many of us had hoped he would be.
I believe in American exceptionalism and make no apologies that our innovation and entrepreneurship have led to higher standard of living not just in America but around the world. America was founded on biblical principles and since its inception has been what President Reagan called, “a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.” Today, just 20 years later, many Americans do not understand the cost or the value of that freedom.
Yep, think I just might like this guy!
They Don’t Like It! They Really, Really Don’t Like It!
Obama’s Jobs Bill Fails to Advance in Senate Despite White House Push
President Obama’s $447 billion jobs bill failed to clear a procedural hurdle in the Democratic-controlled Senate Tuesday night despite a White House push that accelerated in the 11th hour.
The bill received a simply majority of 51 votes but fell short of the necessary 60 to end debate. Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Jon Tester of Montana were the only Democrats to vote against the bill. Both of them are facing tough re-election campaigns next year.
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., had said earlier that although he intended to vote in favor of ending the Republican filibuster, he did not intend to support the bill if it reached a final vote.
Y’know….it’s pretty bad when even your own side thinks your ideas suck. That should tell him something, but D’Bama’s ego is so big, he’ll learn NO lesson. Let’s face it! The man doesn’t have a clue how to fix the economic problems, even though he has been told repeatedly. Pretty pathetic.
Alexander Stepping Down – But Not Far Enough
TN’s Lamar Alexander to resign from GOP leadership
Sen. Lamar Alexander will resign his position as chairman of the Senate Republican Conference in January to focus on policy priorities, he announced on the Senate floor Tuesday.
Alexander said he’s enjoyed his four years as the No. 3 Republican in the Senate, where his job was “to help leaders succeed, to help individual Republicans succeed, to look for consensus in our caucus and to suggest a message.
Suggest a message? How about the one that many of us here in Tennessee have been sending? You know, us little people that pays your salary. The only response, the ONE time I did get a response, was the same form letter that was sent to many others who had contacted him on many different topics. Only a few words were changed, but it was the same dadburn response! I’m sorry, but pretty much ignoring your constiuency doesn’t really sound like leadership to me, and perhaps it’s best if he steps down. Completely. I thought we had sent a pretty good message with the 2010 elections. I guess it didn’t make it to Senator Alexander’s office. 
“It really boils down to this: Serving in this body, as each one of us knows, is a rare privilege. I’m trying to make the best use of that time while I’m here.”
Alexander said he will still run for reelection to the Senate in 2014, but he will no longer challenge Texas Sen. John Cornyn next year in the race for GOP whip, the No. 2 Republican job in the Senate.
Actually, I’m quite sorry to hear that he plans to run again. I am really hoping that the people of Tennessee will come up with someone who is a real conservative to run against him. I did not vote for him last time. I just left that blank. I sure couldn’t vote for the guy running against him!
He said he will also focus on “confronting the timidity that allows healthcare spending to squeeze out support for roads, support for research, support for scholarships and other government functions that make it easier and cheaper to create private-sector jobs.”
timidity (noun) – fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions, fearfulness in venturing into new and unknown places or activities
What? Since when has either house of Congress been timid about spending our money? And if you will notice, only ONE item, roads, is in the federal government’s job description. It is NOT the job of the federal government to provide funds for research or scholarships, and those many other so called ‘government functions’ need to be left by the wayside as well. With all due respect Senator, you are part of the problem, not part of the solution. We do not need anymore big government RINOs.
Alexander called himself a “very Republican Republican,” pointing out that the district he lives in – Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District, which borders North Carolina – hasn’t elected a Democrat since the Civil War.
“If I could get a 100-percent Republican solution to any of our legislative issues, I would do it in a minute,” he said.
The Heritage Foundation has given the good Senator a ranking of 66%. This puts him right there in the company of the 5 biggest Senate RINOs, Mark Kirk (IL) – 60%, Scott Brown (MA, major disappointment) – 56%, Olympia Snowe (ME) – 51%, Lisa Murkowski (AK) – 45%, Susan Collins (ME) – 45%. The worst graded so called Republican is from Oregon, Jeff Merkley came in at 5%.( I’d say that boy needs to switch parties!) So, calling himself a “very Republican Republican” is pretty funny, in a very sad sort of way.
Senator Marco Rubio
Just When You Thought You’d Seen It All!
Dems seek to impose sunscreen rules
Just in time for the long holiday weekend: Senate Democrats have introduced legislation that would force the imposition of federal standards for sunscreen lotion labels.
“As families prepare for Memorial Day festivities, and plan outings this summer, most will be outdoors without adequate sun protection, even if they use sunscreen,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the sponsor, said this week. “This is because there are currently no rules that sunscreen makers must follow when making claims about the level of protection their products provide.”
I can’t even think of words to express my incredulity. Is there NOTHING they won’t stick their fingers in? This is patently absurd. People have been using sunscreen for quite a while now, and it’s done what it’s suppose to do, when used correctly. Then, there is the common sense factor. If you are blood red after being out in the sun for too long….go the hell inside! If you burn easily, stay in shaded areas.
According to Reed, forcing the application of the FDA proposal would require labels to “disclose the level of UVA protection in a standard format that appears near the sun protection factor rating, and ensure that the SPF rating actually corresponds to a product’s protection against UVB rays.”
They’ve spent this country into debt the likes of which it has never seen before, and yet this is how they spend their time? Worrying about “a standard format” on a freakin’ bottle of sunscreen?
“I look forward to a summer when Americans can finally feel protected from the sun’s harmful rays,” Reed said.
I look forward to a life when Americans can finally feel protected from the feckless weasels in the U.S. Government!
Does Bob Corker Deserve Another Term?
TN Sen Bob Corker raises $1.87 million in first quarter for re-election
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker has raised $1.87 million in the first quarter, pushing the Tennessee Republican’s total collections for his re-election bid to more than $4 million to date.
Chief of Staff Todd Womack said the fundraising totals indicate a “strong vote of confidence” for the freshman senator and his ongoing efforts to enact a binding cap on federal spending.
I wonder if many of the people who have already donated to Corker’s ‘war chest’ are aware of many of his votes, including the most recent one? You know the one that cuts $352 MILLION, instead of the promised $38 BILLION. The one that also continues taxpayer funding for the murder of innocents, also known as abortions at the most well known murder mill in the country, Planned Parenthood.
The Democrats held our military hostage for the sole purpose of getting RINOs to fold like old suits. Obviously, it worked. Neither Senator from the state of Tennessee stood on principle.
Don’t get me wrong….Corker isn’t the worst of the bunch. He has stood with the people of Tennessee, and the country on numerous votes. He has voted for repealing ObamaCare, and this is a good thing. He’s been given a 0 rating repeatedly by the pro-abortion organizations, so why did he cave on this one?
One term I’ve heard used referring to Sen. Corker is “soft conservative”. In my opinion, either you are, or you aren’t. The wishy washy will not get the job done. Partnering with Chris Dodd on financial bailout bills (which earned him the nickname of “Bailout Bob”) wasn’t a real bright move on his part. To give him credit, he did bail on the bailout, but was it due to constituent pressure, or because he grew a backbone? There may be some who have forgotten this, but I sure haven’t.
Will I support Corker? At this point, I’m leaning towards a NO. He really hasn’t impressed me all that much. Actually, neither Senator from Tennessee has impressed me. I didn’t vote for Alexander last time around….I left it blank! I did research his opponent, but there was NO way I could cast a vote for him either. If a serious, constitutional candidate is put forward, a social and fiscal conservative, you can bet, I will do my best to support him, or her. If Bob Corker is the one on the ballot, it’s quite possible, I’ll leave it blank again.
Will The Senate Vote To Save The Innocent?
Or will the continue they taxpayer funded murder of babies.
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Planned Parenthood performs an abortion on average every 95 seconds.
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97% of pregnant women visiting a Planned Parenthood facility will have an abortion.
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Planned Parenthood received $363 million in taxpayer funding in fiscal year 2009.
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Planned Parenthood spent more than $1 million in support of Democratic candidates in 2010 and spends hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct legislative lobbying.
How much is the life of a child worth to a Senator?
Tennessee:
Senator Alexander: 202-224-4944
Senator Corker: 202-224-3344
Find your Senators number, and CALL! Don’t let your hard earned money continue paying for the slaughter of innocents!
Letter To TN Senators
Dear Senators Alexander and Corker:
This is to notify you that your ‘services’ are no longer needed, and we will be terminating your contract at the first possible opportunity. While we were aware that you, Senator Alexander were nothing more than a Republican In Name Only, with a SLIGHT conservative bent, we did have high hopes for you, Senator Corker. Needless to say, we are extremely disappointed that neither of you have taken into account the wishes of the voters of the State of Tennessee of a variety of extremely important issues.
While a large number of voters may not be paying attention, there are many of us who do. We are aware of the actions of our elected officials, and will be dealing with those who put politics and careers first, and the citizens last. We write, call and email on a regular basis. The response from both of your offices have become a running joke among many of us, form letters than never address the issues.
Therefore, in the coming years, we will work very hard, to put in place, elected officials that actually do reflect the values and will of WE, The People, at all levels. The safety and well being of our families are of great importance to us, and we feel that the neglect of your oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States have put them in peril.
We do appreciate your time, however, we feel it has come to an end.
Signed,
WE, The People of the Great State of Tennessee
BIG Food Police
There is much being said about S. 510 lately. It’s a bill of more than 40,000 words, which leads me to ask…..have they read it? Do they know what’s in it, or does it just sound good on the surface? I mean, who doesn’t want safe food? Food, in my lifetime, has always been pretty safe. (Since the average age for an American woman is around 80, let’s just say I’m pretty much PAST that middle aged mark.) Oh, sure…there have been a few incidences, but as a whole, we have the safest food in the world. You can stop at your local fruit stand, on the side of the road, and buy home grown tomatoes. You can pick up a variety of veggies from your neighbors garden, or you can grow your own, and sell them at the flea market, and always be assured you had the freedom to do so.
Now, with this bill, that assurance is no longer viable. The “Secretary” is being given a whole lot of power over what you do, and personally, I’d like to know, just when did we hand over our personal responsibility to a faceless entity in D.C.?
Do you have a veggie garden? Do you can the extra, and maybe sell it to raise money for your church? Or community center, or some such? Well, too bad! If you don’t keep detailed records of every little thing you do, then you are out of luck! That’s a no no. Do you have honey bees? Do you sell your honey locally? Ooops! Can’t do that either. Big Brother says so! If you aren’t registered, if you don’t adhere to all their regulations, if you don’t bow down to Big Government, then lets face it, you are sh*t outta luck! Perhaps that little extra money you earned by selling your extra veggies, that was being saved to put Jr through college, is gone.
If you read through this bill, you’ll find they have taken great pains to affect EVERY aspect when it comes to any sort of food. And naturally, when it comes to government, the incompetence will commence immediately. I wouldn’t count on food being ‘safer’. As a matter of fact, I’d be more inclined to believe that safety will be the LAST concern of the federal government.
Last night, the Senate voted for cloture on this bill. You know, when they decide there’s been enough debate, and no matter what the people say, they’re going to do what they damn well please. My senators? Lamar Alexander – RINO, is actually a co-sponsor, and Bob Corker – RINO, appears to be all for it. Interesting that two senators from a state that has a LOT of rural area, and many roadside veggie stands would be for such a thing, don’t you think?
Lamar Alexander – R TN – Bribe For: $190,421 – Against: $4,850
Bob Corker – R TN – Bribe For: $298,639 – Against: $8,850
(source)
*head slap* Oh, I get it now. It’s not about safety, or concern for the citizens! It’s all about the money!
Use Your OWN Money!
Democrats Still Struggle on Extending the Bush Tax Cuts
After a lengthy meeting of Senate Democrats aimed in part at hammering out a unified position on extending the Bush tax cuts, Majority Leader Harry Reid emerged without an agreement, but still calling for a vote.
“My friend [Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky] has offered some legislation to extend all them all, costing $4 trillion,” the Nevada Democrat said. “If he wants a vote on that, I’ll be happy to help arrange that, but he should also help arrange a vote on $250 thousand. Period.”
For now, Reid is sticking with the idea of extending only the tax cuts for those making $250 thousand or less, which he seemed to recognize may not pass.
The bad thing about not being able to sleep is doing a little snooping and find such idiocy as this. Obviously, I am in no mental condition to seriously espouse on this subject, with flowing words and idealistic sentiment. What I can say……HARRY REID IS A FLIPPIN’ MORON. Hmmm… Yeah, that pretty much covers it.
Runnin’ Reid, by most average people’s standard, is RICH. His salary is in the vicinity of $197K a year. He’s worth somewhere between $2.5 million to $4.6 million. Now, I don’t know about you, that’s quite a chunk of change. Shoot, I’d be pickled tink with just that salary. I could live on that quite comfortably, and even help out the kids when the need arises. It doesn’t seem that Reid has ever done anything out in the real world….he’s always been in politics. If I have that wrong, please let me know what he did to earn a normal income out in the REAL world.
Wish his millions, has he ever created a job, put people to work, and I don’t mean just his staffers, or the people who cut his grass. I mean like a business. Has he ever given a leg up with his bucks by actually producing anything? Not that I can find. Yet, he wants to tax himself out of the ability to do so, if he ever removed his head from his hinder. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. But he doesn’t care. He’s not a producer, so he could care less about those who are.
Even $250K seems like a lot of money to me, but then, I’ve no doubt I’m not alone. A quarter of a million dollars is a nice income. 
It would most definitely put me in the upper crust category around Podunk, TN. But that same amount in states like New York, or California, that sum doesn’t amount to much where the cost of living is so over inflated, a family of four would be lucky to be able to survive paycheck to paycheck on that amount.
It doesn’t appear anyone has taken these facts into account when they decided to screw the so called rich. Now, if I might make a suggestion….Since Mr Reid obviously has an income, AND a net worth, why doesn’t he turn HIS extra money over to the IRS? As a matter of fact, there isn’t one single person in Congress right now that ISN’T what would be considered a millionaire, yet they all get salaries. They should ALL write a big fat check for that sum that is NOT their salary. These are the people who are working so hard to make sure you and I have less to pay our bills, attempt to food on the table and a rood over our families’ heads. I don’t see why THEY don’t make the sacrifice first!
There are at least 50 members who have a net worth of over 50 million, going all the way up to 183 million, both Republicans and Democrats are in that list! Perhaps they should cough up a minimum of 50% of their net worth, and use it for all those little projects they want for their states? If there is anything left over, which there won’t be, it should be donated to homeless shelters and food kitchens that are being created to help those who have been hurt the most by their policies. Just a thought.
Another thought. George Soros likes to toss his money around to organizations that don’t do much more than work towards the destruction of the country. Wouldn’t it be novel if he actually would use that money for good, instead of evil? He still has about $14 BILLION left!
I’m not an economics whiz kid. I don’t have to be. I know how to use a calculator, and balance a check book. I can even still add, subtract, multiply and divide in my head. True, not as well as I use to, but the ability is still there I see what is obvious to most rational thinking people. Very few of the middle class create jobs. It’s those ‘evil’ rich folks who built the factories, that hires warm bodies, and provides goods and service for the general public. While the rich can afford many of the luxuries you and I just fantasize about, they also give us ‘small people’ the opportunities to earn a decent wage, providing we live within our means, to take a luxury cruise someday. Without them, the job producing rich, or winning the lottery, the people really don’t have much of a chance to advance. It appears to me, that’s exactly what Reid and his cronies want, the masses in a place where the only way to go is down. Success is evil, don’cha know, and they are just trying to save you from being self reliant, which evidently, is also evil. 
Ok, enough rambling for the wee hours of the morning. Hope it makes sense. 
Off to bed, and hopefully, to sleep!
NO MORE FREAKIN’ RINOS!
So, the two Tennessee RINOs voted FOR S 510. I guess they really don’t like being Senators. Corker is up for re-election in 2012. Knowing many of the VERY active conservatives in this state, I’m thinking he might want to reconsider his job choices. He might find himself very embarrassed. Alexander will follow. Perhaps they should start their own little farm together, and be destroyed by the same feckless regulations they support?
Piss Off, GOP Elites!
Some in Senate GOP Call DeMint “Undertaker” not “Kingmaker”
Boy are some Senate Republicans unhappy with Jim DeMint. They had a good night by any measure, picking up six seats from Democrats, but it is clear a number are holding the South Carolina senator personally responsible for keeping those numbers from rising even higher, possibly even from taking control of the chamber.
One could forgive House Democrats for beating each other up after last night’s thumping (or, as Obama called it, “a shellacking”). Senate Democrats, as well, even though they did retain the majority and their leader. But Senate Republicans?
DeMint set out in 2008 to get “principled conservatives” elected – many who were not the chosen candidates of the establishment. At times, that even seemed to be the goal, as he happily bucked his leadership, saying raucous primaries were good for the party. DeMint told his growing cadre of supporters he wanted to harness the power of the Tea Party, and he started endorsing conservatives, 11 in all, in the 2010 race (the list is here). Many won their primaries, leading some to call DeMint a “king maker.”
But not everyone in his party agrees. “He should be called the undertaker, not the kingmaker,” said one senior Senate GOP aide on Wednesday, who added, “You could call it a big night for the Club for Growth, but not for Jim DeMint.”
I’m getting the impression that the establishment GOP aren’t happy? Well, too freakin’ bad! WE, The People worked damn hard to get more of those with an “R” behind their names into office, and should be damn happy THEY still have a job. Next time around, they might not if they don’t get their heads out of their collective hinders!
Yeah, there were some losses that should not have been. Reid for example, due to the push by the casino “bosses” (Harrah’s has lost our business, btw). O’Donnell didn’t have a united state party behind her, which was WRONG of them. She was obviously better versed in the Constitution than her opponent! And Ken Buck? Well, to be honest, I didn’t follow a lot about him, so I can’t say what the heck happened there. Perhaps someone who is more familiar can clue me in?
IF, the GOP had listened when we told them (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) they were moving away from their principles, and joined with US, then perhaps at least 2 of those candidates would have come out victorious. The smears of the left have been vicious, there’s no denying it! And many such smears worked. But, I’m thinking there are way too many voters who don’t bother to investigate the candidates as thoroughly as they should, which makes for ignorant voters, and the wrong candidates being elected.
As for the criticism of Jim DeMint? Piss off! Y’all should be damn happy to have a man with a BACKBONE standing up for the principles YOU should be upholding. The principles we DEMAND you return to. Screw that big tent you tried to push on conservatives. It didn’t work, and y’all either play by OUR rules now, or find yourselves other means of employment!
Don’t Think Your Vote Is Important?
Think again! Be informed BEFORE you cast your vote! The Republicans forgot who they worked for and lost in 2006. The economy began its downward spiral in 2007 when the Democrats took over. Since January 2009, things have gotten even more out of control. Why? Because people aren’t taking their responsibility to vote seriously. People don’t ask questions or examine the candidates. That “R” or “D” behind their name does NOT automatically mean they hold the same values as you do. Their skin color doesn’t make a bit of difference either as to how they will govern. It’s what they hold dear that will make the difference. Do they value life? Do they believe in real justice for criminals? Do they support the U.S. Constitution? Or do they make up the rules as they go along?
Choose wisely!
