"Brown’s jobless bill wins little support; Gets scant notice, even from GOP" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | July 17, 2010
WASHINGTON — The Democrats’ bill is expected to pass next week without him....
Scott Brown's opposition played a key role in killing the bill several times, prompting protests in Massachusetts staged by hundreds of union workers and community activists....
In addition to the $35 billion in unspent money that he would divert from the overall $787 billion stimulus program, Brown would freeze food stamp increases and change Medicaid pricing for certain types of prescription drugs, providing $50.9 billion for the unemployment extension as well as summer jobs and a boost in Medicaid funding for states.
Brown has called the $35 billion in unspent stimulus funds he would divert “a Washington, D.C., slush fund.’’ But in many instances, that money is slated for specific stimulus projects across the country — including some in Massachusetts — even if the checks haven’t yet been written....
Pfffft!
Brown’s stance as a deficit hawk has hardened since his election in January. His evolution reflects the growing concern in Washington, and among voters, that the deficit will hamstring the country’s growth.
Many economists believe boosting government spending is an important way to counteract the recession, quickly creating more jobs. In this view, officials can worry about balancing the budget later. But the opposite view, widespread among Republicans, is that the government courts economic disaster by digging itself into a deep hole; the deficit is expected to be about $1.3 trillion this year. GOP senators, in speeches on the Senate floor, frequently cite the example of debt-ridden Greece.
Most Republicans say they’re willing to approve the unemployment extensions, but only if it is paid for with a designated funding source. It’s unclear whether Republicans will push any alternative next week....
Of course, wars, corporations, Israel, all fully funded increases, no problem.
Democrats say the economic situation is so dire that the extensions should be approved on an emergency basis, even if it adds to the deficit, as has been done in the past.
“It’s a difficult precedent,’’ Senator John F. Kerry said of Brown’s idea of using the stimulus money to pay for unemployment. “I haven’t completely shut the door but I don’t think it’s the easiest way to do it.’’
Yeah, that would be closing down the empire and its foreign occupations and we see how far those ideas get in Washington.
Related:
"Senator John F. Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and a key architect of the Obama policy, said that progress made in recent months.... is at risk unless the effort is continued. "
Also see: Selecting a Senator: Brown is Bush
Yeah, the "bloom" is off.
Brownie only serving who is paying for the tune, Massachusetts -- and that ain't you!
"Brown’s war chest is up to $6.5m; It grew by $1m in last 3 months" by Brian C. Mooney, Globe Staff | July 15, 2010
Senator Scott P. Brown raised more than $1 million in the last three months and has more than $6.5 million cash on hand, two years ahead of his reelection cycle....
It is a huge sum for a new senator. By contrast, the state’s senior senator, Democrat John F. Kerry, had $3.09 million in his account at the start of the second quarter....
Well, by THAT MEASURE we see who is the MORE IMPORTANT VOICE in the Senate, don't we?
I'll bet Kerry thought he was going to be first fiddle after Teddy died -- a disappointment only rivaled by his capitulation to a stolen presidential election in 2004.
Brown is also enjoying one of the benefits of incumbency in the past three months — checks from scores of political action committees, mostly based in Washington and representing business interests....
And he is repping quite well for them!
The PACs represent a range of business interests, including banking, insurance, and financial services, telecommunications, defense contractors, and health care, pharmaceutical, and biomedical firms....
Well, they are sure getting their money's worth.
--more--"
Related: Who Bought Brown's Election?
Brown's Assignments
The U.S. Senate's Chief Brownnoser to Israel
Also see: Senate Sends Along Financial Fraud Bill
Not when it is FOR YOU, America.
