Today is a proud day for America.
Say what you want about the bailout. I have debated the ins and outs of the bailout with at least 10 people in the last couple of days. A few agreed with my non-interventionist views and more think I’m crazy it seems. But no matter your view, I’ll say it again, today is a proud day for America.And let me tell you why…
First of all, in Colorado, 3 representatives approved the bailout and 4 opposed it. Here is the interesting part… 2 democrats and 1 republican approved the bailout bill, yet it was 2 democrats and 2 repbulicans that opposed the bill (including Mark Udall who I have written every day for the last week with a new reason to vote no). So the bill does not pass and all the headlines tonight are that Congress “fails to act on the financial crisis”. Well call it what you want, but I am soooooo proud to say that the DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SPLIT THEIR VOTES TODAY. Did our representatives in government actutally THINK INDEPENDENTLY today and vote for their constituents rather than vote down party lines? It would appear so.
This scenario gives me confidence in the future of America that in serious situtations, our politicians actually do give a shit about something besides party affiliation. Additonally, they seem to show some care for both the integrity of our free/capitalist market structure as well as our constitution today.
In response to the “failure to pass” rhetoric, the markets took an ass-kicking to the tune 8%. I realize this TOTALLY SUCKS. I own stocks too and am not thrilled. But if the integrity of our markets is maintained, we will recover which means essentially one thing… today stocks are on clearance sale and it is about time to START ACQUIRING. Despite the “failure to pass an aid package”, it appears the sun will rise again tomorrow.
Hang on tight America, this will hurt like hell but if we can hold out a few more days and keep the government spending machine from getting us deeper into debt, we will get through this that much faster. This is the first day I have been proud of our Federal government in a long long time (did I mention by the way that the value of dollar increased and the price of oil decreased today?).
Finally, thank you to Republican Ron Paul for his FIRM AND VOCAL opposition to the bailout and thank you to my representative, Democrat Mark Udall, for representing my personal interest today in Congress. I REALLY hope we will see more of these days where the political parties are split, one day we will break their sleeper hold on the people.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I heard that it was split not so much by party lines, but by who was facing tough upcoming election races. Those in danger of losing their seat almost unanimously voted no and only two of the yes votes were considered to be in “heated” races. (Of course, I’ve now read so many articles that I can’t find the link to that fun fact…sorry.)
Moral of the story: I guess you can celebrate independent thinking and a strong sense of self-preservation.