Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The Fat Lady Hasn't Sung Yet!

It is extremely vexing that the Democrats on the Hill still have to negotiate with George Bush on the necessity of bailing out the automakers. The thing is, how can we trust the Bush White House to make the best decision? While not completely their fault this mess has GOP all over it. To make matters worse(or the same), the Senate Republicans still hold the key with their filibuster power:
Congressional Democrats and the White House appear to have a deal on a $15 billion package to support the auto industry, but it must still win the critical support of Senate Republicans to become law.

"Bipartisan hard work has paid off and I understand an agreement has been reached," said Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), late Tuesday evening. "This gets us to the 20 yard line, but getting over the goal line will take a major effort, particularly in the Senate."....

Several Senate Republicans, including Sens. Richard Shelby (Ala.) and John Ensign (Nev.), expressed disappointment earlier on Tuesday over the draft language of the bill. Senate Republicans will hold a policy lunch on Wednesday, where some senators may make a pitch to mount a filibuster.
Not surprisingly the Senate GOP doesn't want to help American workers, especially workers in unions. They had absolutely no trouble protecting Wall Street to the tune of almost 50 times as much taxpayer money. It is a shame we are in the position of having to do something to save the American auto industry but millions of jobs lost at this moment in our financial disaster is not even a question. Losing that many jobs and the economies they support would send the country into a depression that would make 1929 look like a holiday party. Can't be allowed to happen.

Also, Reuters reports the House could vote today:
The U.S. House of Representatives could vote as early as Wednesday on a $15 billion plan to bail out and restructure U.S. automakers but the initiative may face Republican roadblocks in the Senate.

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