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DEL.ICIO.USWhy your congressman switched on the bailout. Or didn’t.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Four days after it voted the measure down, the House voted 263-171 for a $700 billion bailout of the American financial system.
That’s a 58 vote pick-up over Monday. Here’s the roll call, but to tell you the truth, the New York Times has a knock-out interactive look, state by state.
In Georgia, only two switched, both Democrats — David Scott and John Lewis, both of Atlanta.
Neither supporters nor opponents of the rescue plan are sure of the consequences.
But on Friday afternoon, one day after both cast votes in the Senate in favor of the measure, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss were on a joint, five-city flyaround to explain their position — in Albany, Macon, Savannah, Augusta and Columbus.
The pair issued a statement from the road that began this way: “We commend those members of the U.S. House of Representatives who put their country first to vote for this important legislation.”
It wasn’t a statement aimed at any House Republicans from Georgia, who maintained their opposition, and underlined the division between eight Republicans running for re-election in four weeks — Chambliss for the Senate, and the others for their congressional seats.
Below are statements being issued by House members this afternoon.
House members who voted no on Monday, yes on Friday:
David Scott, Democrat of Atlanta: “First, I was able to work with House leadership to strengthen language providing assistance to homeowners. …Secondly, small businesses in Atlanta started running out of short term loan options. They said they would have to start cutting payroll to make ends meet. I believe that in order to help keep employees on the job we could not wait around for a perfect bill. If I thought this was just a bailout for Wall Street, I would continue to oppose it.”
John Lewis, Democrat from Atlanta: “I have decided that the cost of doing nothing is greater than the cost of doing something. The fear that is gripping Wall Street has the power to shut down Main Street. ….But I do not see this as a blank check. In a few months, we will have a new president and a new Congress. We must hold the feet of these financial institutions to the fire. It is only with that assurance that I will vote yes on this legislation.”
House members who voted no on Monday, no on Friday:
John Barrow, Democrat of Savannah: “The Senate tried to send us something we could all agree on, but all they really did was dress up the same bill we voted on earlier this week with sweeteners to get some members of the House to change their vote. Most of the new items in this bill I have voted for and would vote for again, but not if it means voting for a bailout that’ll do more harm than good. I hope I’m wrong, but that’s how it looks right now.”
Lynn Westmoreland, Republican from Coweta County: “Because of this week’s actions in Washington, Americans who pay their taxes and who pay their mortgages on time and who acted responsibly will be handed a tab for up to $700 billion. ….This bailout may or may not help our economy in the short term. In the long term, it puts us on a dangerous path toward government ownership of private securities and creates a ‘moral hazard’ - investors and businesses will believe that risky bets will enrich them if they succeed and government will write a check if they fail.”
From a joint statement by Georgia’s seven House Republicans: “We cannot preserve our free-market economy by sacrificing the very principles that underlie it. Over the past week, we have heard loud and clear from many of the almost 5 million Georgians that we represent — and they are not convinced that this approach is the right one. They want to preserve our financial system, but demand that we think more about the taxpayer in developing the solution.”
House members who voted yes on Monday, yes on Friday:
Sanford Bishop, Democrat from Albany:
“I wish the bill we took up today was a cleaner bill. I wish we could have passed the bill Monday, and saved our deficit another $150 billion. Many of the provisions added onto this bill, especially relief for middle class taxpayers, are needed, but they add to the bill’s cost. And any other day, I would stand firmly opposed until those costs were off-set. But this is not ‘any other day’ - this is an extraordinary day, and these are extraordinary circumstances. The economy is on life support and not passing this bill would be tantamount to pulling the plug.”
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Comments
By fildawg
October 3, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Welcome to the United Socialist States of America
By Rod
October 3, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry but they had to do something with Sonny BQ, Bill Heard(they needed to go but people stillneed work), Shaw Industry lay offs and Creative Loafing going Bankrupt not to mention all the builder small and large. I didn’t want socialism but in the end who the hell wants a bunch of unemployed people in GA
By Mone
October 3, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Did anyone notice that now the bill has been passed President Bush is saying that we won’t see any effects for a while and that we need to TAKE OUR TIME and make sure that we craft good programs!!!!! This is a bunch of crap. All we heard before passing the bill was that it had to be done immediately or the market would crash. Now they are telling us that we have wait and be patient?!?!?! I am speechless.
By atlmom
October 3, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
maybe they had to do something, but I find it horribly arrogant that anyone would vote for this bill, given that there is $100 billion** in earmarks in this bill.
The height of arrogance for a congress that has contempt for the American people. Truly unbelievable.
By mike
October 3, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
this bail will do nothing for the American people accept raise there already high taxes higher in order to pay for it. This will do nothing more than make the rich richer and the working man poorer! This just proofs governent is no longer working for the many, but rather the wealthy few. this is a sad day for the average working class American
By mike
October 3, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
this bail will do nothing for the American people accept raise there already high taxes higher in order to pay for it. This will do nothing more than make the rich richer and the working man poorer! This just proofs governent is no longer working for the many, but rather the wealthy few. this is a sad day for the average working class American
By Will
October 3, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Great point Mone! And notice the market’s reaction. As of 3PM today, the market has dropped close to 300 pts since the vote. You can’t fool the market.
By Voter
October 3, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
My House rep voted against but I hope there is a good alternative for the senators come election time. Why can’t they pass something without adding all that crap to it? Where does the $ come from? Will they just print more?
By GaLiberal
October 3, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
From a joint statement by Georgia’s seven House Republicans: “We cannot preserve our free-market economy by sacrificing the very principles that underlie it.
This is exactly the same argument these Rethuglicon made for deregulating banks and investment companies. These same Rethuglicons crowed big time about how these ‘antiquated Depression-era laws’ were interfering with the free market. So now just let the free market work some more and this will all be ok. Of course, you may lose your job and have no way to pay your mortgage which the bank will foreclose. Hoover said the free market will fix its self when the Great Depression started. Look at how many people payed the price for his arrogance. Now these Rethuglicons are being just as arrogant. Instead of doing what was right for the country, they put partisan politics first. I hope they all lose re-election in 2010.
When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And Georgia Rethuglicons voting NO is living proof.
By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST
October 3, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Well we have 7 REAL REPUBLICAN Congressmen & 2 RINO/Socialist Senators. Saxby has sold out to the LOBBYIST again. McCain says COUNTRY FIRST,, Saxby says LOBBYIST(especially Bo Chambliss) FIRST.
Top 10 Tax Sweeteners in the Bailout Bill Categories: Federal Budget, Headlines By TCS Tags: bailout, budget Pub Date: Oct 03, 2008
Update: The House has just passed the final version of the 2008 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, without making any changes to the version received from the Senate. The final vote was 263-171. To see how your Representative voted, click here.
Note:
In the analysis below we identified where we could specific champions of each provision. One thing that we did not explain very well is that many of the provisions are “extenders.” Meaning that what this legislation does in many cases is simply extend existing law that was set to expire at the end of this year, and in some cases it reinstates existing legislation that expired earlier in the year. So we couldn’t necessarily go back in history to identify who originally promoted some of the provisions. Many of these provisions had already been voted on and passed earlier this year, but had not been voted on in the House. So the Senate simply stuck them on to the underlying legislation. This is also true for other things tacked onto the bill, such as the Alternative Minimum Tax patch.
The following are some of the top tax sweeteners in the Senate passed Bailout Bill. Not all the provisions are per se outrageous, but collectively are intended to help Congressional leadership get final passage of the 2008 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.
Sec. 503. Exemption from excise tax for certain wooden arrows designed for use by children
Current law places an excise tax of 39 cents on the first sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft of a type used to produce certain types of arrows. This proposal would exempt from the excise tax any shaft consisting of all natural wood with no laminations or artificial means to enhance the spine of the shaft used in the manufacture of an arrow that measures 5/16 of an inch or less and is unsuited for use with a bow with a peak draw weight of 30 pounds or more. The proposal is effective for shafts first sold after the date of enactment. The estimated cost of the proposal is $2 million over ten years, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
The Oregon senators were the initial sponsors of the provisions. According to Bloomberg News, the provision would be worth $200,000 to Rose City Archery in Myrtle Point, Oregon.
Sec. 317. Seven-year cost recovery period for motorsports racing track facility
Track owners want to be able write-off the cost of their facilities on their taxes over seven years - a depreciation timetable many of them have used for decades. But the IRS has wanted to stretch it to at least 15 years and has raised questions whether the increasingly popular tracks really belong in the same tax category as amusement parks.
Auto track owners are simply trying to get out of paying more taxes - which they’d have to do if they deducted less every year. These owners have gotten plenty of tax breaks over the years from states and localities eager to get speedways. The provision would be extended 2 years till the end of 2009 and would cost $100 million. The provision encompasses all facilities including grandstands, parking lots and concession stands.
Sec. 308. Increase in limit on cover over of rum excise tax to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Extends until December 31, 2009 a rebate against excise taxes charged on rum imported from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. A $13.50 per proof gallon excise tax is applied to distilled spirits imported to the U.S. Under this provision a $13.25 rebate is returned to PR and the VI, and is retroactive back to January 1, 2008. Permanent law sets the rebate at $10.50 per proof gallon, but the PR and VI provisions have generally been in place since the first Clinton Administration. The most recent extension of the $13.50 rebate expired January 1, 2008. Cost is $192 million.
Sec. 301. Extension and modification of research credit
The legislation reestablishes and extends the lucrative tax credit for companies doing research and experimentation in the United States. Companies that have benefited from this provision include Microsoft Corp., Boeing Co., United Technologies Corp., Electronic Data Systems Corp. and Harley-Davidson. The two-year extension is estimated to cost $19 billion.
Sec. 504. Income averaging for amounts received in connection with the Exxon Valdez litigation The bailout bill would give a tax break to Exxon Valdez plaintiffs, allowing them to average out their punitive damages awards over three years rather than suffer a one-time tax hit from the Internal Revenue Service, as well as other provisions. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) is a big supporter of this provision. Cost is estimated at $49 million.
Sec. 601. Secure rural schools and community self-determination program. Secure Rural Schools lead sponsors Reps. DeFazio (D-OR), Bill Sali (R-ID); Sens. Wyden (D-OR), Larry Craig (R-ID), are major boosters of this program that expired in 2006. In 1908 the federal government agreed to share logging revenue from Forest Service land with neighboring communities that could not tax the land because it was federal. As logging declined in the 1990s, the “county payments” program was initiated in 2000 to directly provide federal funding, more than half going to Oregon, to deal with the loss of revenue. The original version of this provision was introduced as a bill in early 2007 and was estimated to cost $2.2 billion when the OR and ID delegations came to agreement. To give the package more heft, Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) was added to the package, bringing the total cost to $3.3 billion. PILT provides more general funding to counties for federal lands located within their borders. Sen. Reid (D-NV) talked about the PILT program being one of the important elements of the package when the Senate passed the bailout bill.
Sec. 201. Deduction for state and local sales taxes
Allows residents of states that don’t pay income tax to deduct, from their federal taxes, sales tax paid over the course of the year. States that benefit include Texas, Nevada, Florida, Washington and Wyoming. The bailout bill extends this provision for 2 years at a cost of $3.3 billion.
Sec 502. Provisions related to film and television productions
In an effort to keep film and television productions in the U.S, they would be eligible for a tax incentive program. Under this program, the cost of production of qualifying films would be permitted to be immediately expensed — that is, fully deducted from income for tax purposes — in the year the expenditures occur. This provision also makes permanent other favorable tax treatments for production. Historically Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA) has been a supporter (dating from its creation in the 2004 corporate tax bill). The cost is estimated at $478 million over 10 years.
Sec. 325. Extension and modification of duty suspension on wool products; wool research fund; wool duty refunds The tariff relief (duty savings) is intended to benefit U.S. worsted wool fabric producers that use imported fibers and yarns as inputs, as well as U.S. tailored clothing manufacturers that use imported fabrics as inputs. This provision was originally introduced as a bill in December 2007 by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Melissa Bean (D-IL). It extends current law provisions until 12/31/14, and in some cases to12/31/15. The 2010 to 2015 cost is estimated to be $148 million.
Sec. 309. Extension of economic development credit for American Samoa
This extends by two years a previously approved tax credit, the American Samoa economic development credit. In general, this credit allows certain corporations operating in American Samoa a tax credit. The possessions tax credit allows these corporations to offset a portion of their U.S. tax liability on income earned in American Samoa from active business operations, sales of assets used in a business, or certain investments in American Samoa. The cost is $33 million, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
By atlmom
October 3, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
maybe they had to do something, but I find it horribly arrogant that anyone would vote for this bill, given that there is $100 billion** in earmarks in this bill.
The height of arrogance for a congress that has contempt for the American people. Truly unbelievable.
By Mark
October 3, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Just another nail in the coffin of our financial future. The rich politicians and Wall Street tycoons do not need Social Security or Medicare in retirement so what the hell bankrupt the future for the people who elect them.
I will not vote for any encumbent that voted for this to send a clear message.
By Vince
October 3, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Everyone realizes that something needed to be done. As usual, Congress has taken the easy way out and left the taxpayers with the risk. We are covering up for irresponsible behavior by Congress, banks, and consumers. There were other choices that had equal chances of producing the desired results. I applaude those Georgia members of Congress that stood on principle to vote against this measure.
By fildawg
October 3, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
I voted early - how do I unvote for those that supported this rape of the taxpayer?
By Michael
October 3, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Shame on those who voted for this, why do the american people have to pay for these companies failures. I am voting agaisnt any one who voted for this bill. Its also why I am voting for McCain !!!
By DaninMacon
October 3, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Barney Frank and Chris Dodd should be frog marched to prison. I want them to be infront of the grand jury asap.
By flip wilson
October 3, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Michael I guess you missed it - McCain voted for this bill.
By Rick
October 3, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
In 36 years of voting, I have never voted for a Democrat. I will vote for the first one next month. I know nothing about this Martin guy, but I know too much about Chambliss. He has been bought and paid for by the special interest groups. $150 billion of pork on top of a $700 bailout for the banking and Wall Street crooks. They all need to be locked up - including Chambliss and Isakson.
By Keith
October 3, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
All Chambliss and Isakson have done is provide cover for Democrat Jim Marshall in his reelection bid. The measure would have passed the senate without Johnny and Saxby.
By HeyU
October 3, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Only thing I have to say is when their time is up, you all have to go out and vote them out. It is ashame how they got tricked again into believing this president. What I cannot understand is that the Democraps (I meant to do that) actually passed the bill, while the Republicans actually fought the bill. This is unprecendented. At least my rep voted against the bill (Hank Johnson). This is truly a sad day. The next thing you know Bush is going ask for is a golden parachute before he leaves office and he is going to get Congress to get on board because he is going to give them the same thing. My bad that already happens every 4 years with Congress getting a raise.
By Aaron Burr V. Mexico
October 3, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
I have now come to learn the name for this tactic…it is called ‘The Shock Doctrine’ and they mean to use it again and again and again.
We need to rebuild things politically speaking from the ground up.
By Heyu
October 3, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Only thing I have to say is when their time is up, you all have to go out and vote them out. It is ashame how they got tricked again into believing this president. What I cannot understand is that the Democraps (I meant to do that) actually passed the bill, while the Republicans actually fought the bill. This is unprecendented. At least my rep voted against the bill (Hank Johnson). This is truly a sad day. The next thing you know Bush is going ask for is a golden parachute before he leaves office and he is going to get Congress to get on board because he is going to give them the same thing. My bad that already happens every 4 years with Congress getting a raise.
Also Michael, McCain voted for the bill like Obama and Biden so they are all guilty of betraying the people.
By Heyu
October 3, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Only thing I have to say is when their time is up, you all have to go out and vote them out. It is ashame how they got tricked again into believing this president. What I cannot understand is that the Democraps (I meant to do that) actually passed the bill, while the Republicans actually fought the bill. This is unprecendented. At least my rep voted against the bill (Hank Johnson). This is truly a sad day. The next thing you know Bush is going ask for is a golden parachute before he leaves office and he is going to get Congress to get on board because he is going to give them the same thing. My bad that already happens every 4 years with Congress getting a raise.
Also Michael, McCain voted for the bill like Obama and Biden so they are all guilty of betraying the people.
By Heyu
October 3, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Only thing I have to say is when their time is up, you all have to go out and vote them out. It is ashame how they got tricked again into believing this president. What I cannot understand is that the Democraps (I meant to do that) actually passed the bill, while the Republicans actually fought the bill. This is unprecendented. At least my rep voted against the bill (Hank Johnson). This is truly a sad day. The next thing you know Bush is going ask for is a golden parachute before he leaves office and he is going to get Congress to get on board because he is going to give them the same thing. My bad that already happens every 4 years with Congress getting a raise.
Also Michael, McCain voted for the bill like Obama and Biden so they are all guilty of betraying the people.
By Rethuglicon
October 3, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
GaLiberal:
May a rhinoceros with bowel problems find relief in your bed, you hateful, bitter punk.
By Nathan Collins
October 3, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
America’s real threat is our runaway government. I despise it and am tired of the takers! It’s time we all start throwing rocks!
By fildawg
October 3, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
Rod:
It didn’t have to be done!! It had to be done if you didn’t want the financial industry and those invested in it to suffer for their poor risk taking!! And it certainly didn’t have to include $150B of earmarks and pork!
This is nothing but a rape of the taxpayers!
By JLK
October 3, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Thanks Tom Price, MD for not voting more billions for your financial buddies who created this mess! Of course, you’ve still never done D—K for the regular, working people of the 6th District… And have been scrooo-ing them hard with your pro-financial industry, anti-business regulation, more money for Halliburton votes for YEARS. What about the 50% of bankruptcies filed due to MEDICAL bills they can’t pay — even many who had insurance? Ahhhh SCROOO them too, right? Some people matter, some people don’t. You already decided.
By Lipstick Lesbo
October 3, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
The last word on the veep polemic: The camera angle shifted frequently from full face close up to a view from the flank and rear which revealed Palin’s tight skirt and amazing calves. Palin mentioned how she admired Geraldine Ferraro for breaking the glass ceiling, but after seeing Palin in that skirt, I sure wish it was a glass floor.
PS. I also got a gander at the curve of Palin’s derriere, (thank you 1080p) and people, let me tell you something: this aint no pork chop, this is U.S. prime. I didn’t see or hear much of the debate after those rear camera angles, because I was outside in my backyard howling at the moon. My neighbor had to turn a hose on me. Then my life-partner locked me out of the house. I spent the whole night in a tree with a horny possum.
By JLK
October 3, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Thanks Tom Price, MD for not voting more billions for your financial buddies who created this mess! Of course, you’ve still never done D—K for the regular, working people of the 6th District… And have been scrooo-ing them hard with your pro-financial industry, anti-business regulation, more money for Halliburton votes for YEARS. What about the 50% of bankruptcies filed due to MEDICAL bills they can’t pay — even many who had insurance? Ahhhh SCROOO them too, right? Some people matter, some people don’t. You already decided.
By brill
October 3, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Fildawg: To unvote, contact the campaigns of those you wish you had voted for and volunteer your time to counter your vote.
By Snakes in the Pulpit
October 3, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
** SNAKES IN THE PULPIT
EXPOSES PASTORS SUCH AS T.D. JAKES, EDDIE LONG, CREFLO DOLLAR AND JOEL OSTEEN
WWW.SNAKESINTHEPULPIT.COM
WWW.REUBENARMSTRONGSHOW.COM
**
By Snakes in the Pulpit
October 3, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
** SNAKES IN THE PULPIT
EXPOSES PASTORS SUCH AS T.D. JAKES, EDDIE LONG, CREFLO DOLLAR AND JOEL OSTEEN
WWW.SNAKESINTHEPULPIT.COM
WWW.REUBENARMSTRONGSHOW.COM
**
By tlj
October 3, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
It is time for term limits. I will not vote for any incumbent running for any office in this election.
By Aramaic
October 3, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
The Congressional Black Caucus supported the bill since it now allows judges to reset both interest rates and principal loan amounts on mortgages of so-called victims (minorities).
Can’t let folks off the plantation, don’t you know.
By crh
October 3, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
not socialism but Fascism
By crh
October 3, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
not socialism but Fascism
By crh
October 3, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
It is not Socialism but Fascism….get a dictionary.
By Non-paritsan voter
October 3, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
There is no good Reason!
“I believe that in order to help keep employees on the job we could not wait around for a perfect bill” - Are you serious? I will vote yes because there is nothing better! And this is who we want representing us?
“I have decided that the cost of doing nothing is greater than the cost of doing something” - It was not all or nothing, it was find a way to make it better. You sir get the boot!
Voting has just been made alot easier for me. If you voted Yes you get a No on my ballot. Congrats to both Dems and Reps who stood your ground for the people, I hope and pray that you are rewarded for defending our finances. It was not this bill or nothing, there is a way to bail out the victims (us) and not the predator (financial institutions). The predator is in the business to make money and they will do this again.
I see this as the euivalent of a thief who gets caught with 2 million dollars from a bank, and the cops who could ensure that he does not do it again, instead not only let him go but protect him to ensure nobody takes his money away.
This is insane.
Congrats to the below: John Barrow, Democrat, of Savannah: No
Paul Broun, Republican of Athens: No
Nathan Deal, Republican of Gainesville: No
Phil Gingrey, Republican of Marietta: No
Hank Johnson, Democrat of Lithonia: No
Jack Kingston, Republican of Savannah: No
John Linder, Republican of Duluth: No
Tom Price, Republican of Roswell: No
Lynn Westmoreland, Republican of Grantville: No
By Non-partisan voter
October 3, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
Might help with my credibility if I didnt mis-spell partisan huh? Well I used to be a Bush fan, if that tells you anything.
By james deal
October 3, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
they sold us out again i will never vote for these deadbeat pork spending politicians again. not only did they vote for it. they added millons more in debt for our kids to pay back. stop the madness. please take your names off the ballot you crooks
By thom
October 3, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t think they will want to call it the USSA ( see first comment ) I think they will want to call it something more like the SROA, Socialist Republic of America so we can sound more like China or the USSR, as Congress seems to want to emulate.
If only Karl Marx and Validmir Lenin could be alive today they would be so proud of how far the Communist Manifesto has come from the bring of failure to overwhelmeing the once mighty home of free enterprise.
Has anyone read the story of of a place called Rome?
By QDAWG2003
October 4, 2008 3:20 AM | Link to this
Hoover didn’t exactly keep true to Laissez-Faire….try researching the great depression you ignorant bum. Had Hoover, and FDR after him, let the system work itself out, the depression would have resolved itself a lot faster..and we wouldn’t have had a depression that deepened on Roosevelt’s watch. Books, read them and you might learn something. Stop chewing the partisan cud and regurgitating it…
By Boot Saxby
October 4, 2008 3:22 AM | Link to this
All incumbants must go. If congressional approval ratings are at less than 20% then less than 20% of these theives should keep their jobs. Lets start with Saxby. This guy is neither a conservative or a liberal. He’s a scoundrel. A power and money hungry crony with no concern for anything but his own pocketbook. VOTE MARTIN!
By Alan
October 4, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this
Did anyone actually read the 451 page 850 billion dollar bill….I DID! It is fully of special earmarks/taxbreaks for specific companies/products. Seriously, why does the maker of wooden arrows need an exemption from excise tax. That one is just one of many examples. There is more in the bill that has nothing economic related than does. My vote in Nov. is now easy BOOT THE INCUMBENTS!
By Will Jones
October 4, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
Having witnessed Congressman John Lewis’s decades of fully compromised, deafening silence and total blindness, with his fellow hypocrites in Congress, on issues critical to the health and well-being of Our Republic: from JFK-killer GHWBush’s “out of the loop,” congressionally-documented connection to Vatican altarboy Ollie North’s “IranContra” - trading weapons for cocaine with the latifundistas of Central America, trying to keep their Protestantism/Jefferson-discovering slaves on “the plantation;” to the Clinton-Reno condoned FLIR-filmed extermination by Opus Dei-led Hispanic- and Eastern European-named FBI assassins, of the Black and White Adventists, respected by their reputable county sheriff outside Waco, who were openly explaining on their own radio transmitter how Rome had taken over Washington; to 9/11, when, as several later recounted on “Larry King” before the “story” was “established,” many dozens of Senators and Congressmen, under evacuation orders from the Capitol Police, were standing outside when, following the impact explosion of the drone, they were startled by the jumbo jet decoy sweeping up from the Pentagon as it rapidly climbed and made “a lumbering turn directly overhead,” and have yet to hang Bush and Cheney…it comes as no surprise that Atlanta’s onetime “ethics hawk” has rubber-stamped fascist plutocracy’s demand for welfare fascism’s “mere contrivance to filch wealth and power to themselves,” to keep their unconstitutional, treasonous Fed-money/false-money usury against their own countrymen alive.
We know what happens when corrupt governments print money in support of fraud, it has happened many times in history and around the world. The winners and the losers are predictable.
Perhaps Ancient Wisdom’s “Jubilee” would be in order to find out who is American and who is agent of “the engine for enslaving mankind”: “the real Anti-Christ.”
That failing, the Tory Oak may be just what The Physician ordered because, these policies unchecked, the People, sovereign master once in Our Land, the eighty percent Middle Class - the Heart and Soul of America - is doomed.
Jeffersonian Exegesis
By Suffering Fools Madly
October 4, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
Will someone please explain to me why John Lewis runs unopposed in November every election year?
By Ga Values
October 4, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
Where Saxby Chambliss gets his money::
Agri Business—-$1,368,000 Banks, Insurance, Real Estate—-$1,332,000 Lawyers & Individual Lobbyist——$641,000 Misc Business —-$679,000 Other ——$606,000..
The Agi Business got a gift of $20 billion waste from Saxby’s Farm Bill. The Banks, Real Estate & Lawyers just got a $2 TRILLION gift from the Bail Out the Banks act which Saxby & Johnny voted for. Not a bad return on your money. McCain says COUNTRY FIRST, Saxby says LOBBYIST (especially Bo Chambliss) FIRST
By dawgsarejokes
October 4, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Mr. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson,
I have been an ardent Republican all my voting life. My wife as well as my two sons have all voted Republican.
Just a quick note to let you both know how deeply angry we are at the both of you. In essence this is actually what you voted for:Top 10 Tax Sweeteners in the Bailout Bill Categories: Federal Budget, Headlines By TCS Tags: bailout, budget Pub Date: Oct 03, 2008 Sec. 503. Exemption from excise tax for certain wooden arrows designed for use by children Current law places an excise tax of 39 cents on the first sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft of a type used to produce certain types of arrows. This proposal would exempt from the excise tax any shaft consisting of all natural wood with no laminations or artificial means to enhance the spine of the shaft used in the manufacture of an arrow that measures 5/16 of an inch or less and is unsuited for use with a bow with a peak draw weight of 30 pounds or more. The proposal is effective for shafts first sold after the date of enactment. The estimated cost of the proposal is $2 million over ten years, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. The Oregon senators were the initial sponsors of the provisions. According to Bloomberg News, the provision would be worth $200,000 to Rose City Archery in Myrtle Point, Oregon. Sec. 317. Seven-year cost recovery period for motorsports racing track facility Track owners want to be able write-off the cost of their facilities on their taxes over seven years - a depreciation timetable many of them have used for decades. But the IRS has wanted to stretch it to at least 15 years and has raised questions whether the increasingly popular tracks really belong in the same tax category as amusement parks. Auto track owners are simply trying to get out of paying more taxes - which they’d have to do if they deducted less every year. These owners have gotten plenty of tax breaks over the years from states and localities eager to get speedways. The provision would be extended 2 years till the end of 2009 and would cost $100 million. The provision encompasses all facilities including grandstands, parking lots and concession stands. Sec. 308. Increase in limit on cover over of rum excise tax to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Extends until December 31, 2009 a rebate against excise taxes charged on rum imported from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. A $13.50 per proof gallon excise tax is applied to distilled spirits imported to the U.S. Under this provision a $13.25 rebate is returned to PR and the VI, and is retroactive back to January 1, 2008. Permanent law sets the rebate at $10.50 per proof gallon, but the PR and VI provisions have generally been in place since the first Clinton Administration. The most recent extension of the $13.50 rebate expired January 1, 2008. Cost is $192 million. Sec. 301. Extension and modification of research credit The legislation reestablishes and extends the lucrative tax credit for companies doing research and experimentation in the United States. Companies that have benefited from this provision include Microsoft Corp., Boeing Co., United Technologies Corp., Electronic Data Systems Corp. and Harley-Davidson. The two-year extension is estimated to cost $19 billion. Sec. 504. Income averaging for amounts received in connection with the Exxon Valdez litigation The bailout bill would give a tax break to Exxon Valdez plaintiffs, allowing them to average out their punitive damages awards over three years rather than suffer a one-time tax hit from the Internal Revenue Service, as well as other provisions. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) is a big supporter of this provision. Cost is estimated at $49 million. Sec. 601. Secure rural schools and community self-determination program. Secure Rural Schools lead sponsors Reps. DeFazio (D-OR), Bill Sali (R-ID); Sens. Wyden (D-OR), Larry Craig (R-ID), are major boosters of this program that expired in 2006. In 1908 the federal government agreed to share logging revenue from Forest Service land with neighboring communities that could not tax the land because it was federal. As logging declined in the 1990s, the “county payments” program was initiated in 2000 to directly provide federal funding, more than half going to Oregon, to deal with the loss of revenue. The original version of this provision was introduced as a bill in early 2007 and was estimated to cost $2.2 billion when the OR and ID delegations came to agreement. To give the package more heft, Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) was added to the package, bringing the total cost to $3.3 billion. PILT provides more general funding to counties for federal lands located within their borders. Sen. Reid (D-NV) talked about the PILT program being one of the important elements of the package when the Senate passed the bailout bill. Sec. 201. Deduction for state and local sales taxes Allows residents of states that don’t pay income tax to deduct, from their federal taxes, sales tax paid over the course of the year. States that benefit include Texas, Nevada, Florida, Washington and Wyoming. The bailout bill extends this provision for 2 years at a cost of $3.3 billion. Sec 502. Provisions related to film and television productions In an effort to keep film and television productions in the U.S, they would be eligible for a tax incentive program. Under this program, the cost of production of qualifying films would be permitted to be immediately expensed — that is, fully deducted from income for tax purposes — in the year the expenditures occur. This provision also makes permanent other favorable tax treatments for production. Historically Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA) has been a supporter (dating from its creation in the 2004 corporate tax bill). The cost is estimated at $478 million over 10 years. Sec. 325. Extension and modification of duty suspension on wool products; wool research fund; wool duty refunds The tariff relief (duty savings) is intended to benefit U.S. worsted wool fabric producers that use imported fibers and yarns as inputs, as well as U.S. tailored clothing manufacturers that use imported fabrics as inputs. This provision was originally introduced as a bill in December 2007 by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Melissa Bean (D-IL). It extends current law provisions until 12/31/14, and in some cases to12/31/15. The 2010 to 2015 cost is estimated to be $148 million. Sec. 309. Extension of economic development credit for American Samoa This extends by two years a previously approved tax credit, the American Samoa economic development credit. In general, this credit allows certain corporations operating in American Samoa a tax credit. The possessions tax credit allows these corporations to offset a portion of their U.S. tax liability on income earned in American Samoa from active business operations, sales of assets used in a business, or certain investments in American Samoa. The cost is $33 million, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
My opinion on this bill is simple, you voted for your rich friends in the business community and on Wall Street, you put their lives and businesses before the rest of the people you were sworn to serve.
This bill has nothing to do with me except it costs me tax money to bail out the sorry, idiotic liberals who were so stupid as to sign a mortgage note they knowingly could not afford AND YOU STOLE FROM ME TO BAIL THEM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you think for one single moment Congress or the Senate would have stepped in to help a local grocery store or hardware store or bakery or any other small business to keep them from going bankrupt?
Not on your life, they would have been allowed to go right under and the exact same should have happened on Wall Street. Let them learn from their lessons the same way small business owners have to learn, that would mean the hard way.
Instead you two sorry excuses for senators deserve to be kicked out of office at the least. Nathan Deal has more sense than both of you put together. You bowed to a president who is a lame duck. I supported the war for one reason, they attacked America on our soil but when President Bush decided to not go in and wipe them from the face of the earth and instead wasted lives by running this war the way he did I lost all confidence in him.
Our Senators, our President and Congressmen in my opinion are COWARDS to say the least, men like Dwight David Eisenhower, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt would never have lead like our government of today has done. You are so worried about what the world thinks about you, well it’s time to stand up and that is exactly what I am going to do. I will register and switch parties to the Libertarian Party. I am so fed up with you spineless Republicans, but first I will cast my vote to defeat the both of you. I will also express those views to my friends at church, work and anywhere else I go.
By Will Jones
October 4, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Any election law expert know if Metro Atlanta’s outraged citizenry can dump sold-out John Lewis with a write-in candidate?
America’s broke, the People must do the fixing. Incumbents must go.
By Will Jones
October 4, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
“dawgsarejokes” Your name ain’t right but you’ve been blessed with children who made to voting age so you can’t be all bad, and your expressed sentiment confirms it.
If you have any time to spare reflecting on our once great republic and the Spirit by which Our Founders were anointed, pick up a copy of “The New Pearl Harbor,” by Emeritus Professor David Ray Griffin, PhD.
You might be able to find a C-SPAN video of him or one of his scholarly papers on-line. He’s an academic theologian published by the same firm used by the Presbyterian Church (USA), and absolutely credible, with an unimpeached reputation.
Read the book. You’re willing to take a jab at “dawgs” so you must have done time, possibly at the “trade school.” I know they require brains and performance there…assign reading…and expect thoughtful response.
Bush and Cheney committed 9/11.
You obviously think of yourself as “American.”
I’ve had the honor of taking The Oath twice, and believe, lo these many years later, that I am still obedient to it.
Bush and Cheney have committed Treason. All in government and industry who are knowingly supporting them are guilty of Misprision of Treason.
You are deluding yourself about your patriotism, citizenship, and moral rectitude if you fail, at the very least, to address the charge of treason and the evidence placed before you to judge.
Wake up! Eighty percent of us already know they did it. Look at the evidence and grow as an American. Give your soul a break. Truth and Justice must rule in America. Only the Electorate is sovereign. The Constitution must be restored and the Anti-Christ cast into the Pit.
By Atlanta Planner
October 4, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
This taxpayer supports this bill.
Many people who are taxpayers also have jobs; and also have investments. Those of us who work and have investments did not want to see the economy go into a massive recession with hundreds of companies going bankrupt and laying off everyone. Those of us who have investments did not want to see the stock market tank anymore. We stand to lose a lot more money through the collapse of the economy than we stand to lose in taxes for this bill. There’s a good chance that there will be no net cost to this bill - as with the saving & loans bailout in the 1990s.
Those people who decry the end of the free market don’t understand history, don’t understand the free market fails sometimes. Have you heard of the Great Depression? Do we really want to go through that again? Free markets are made of people, and people make mistakes. This time the free market failed.
Thankfully, Paulson and Bernake are students of history, they know that temporary government intervention is the solution to this problem. They are not socialists. They are educated economists, who understand that simple formulas like “less government” don’t always work in complex situations.
By sam
October 4, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
@dawgsarejokes,
I supported the war for one reason, they attacked America on our soil but when President Bush decided to not go in and wipe them from the face of the earth
Who’s “they”?
The libertarian party doesn’t want dimwits like you.
By Will Jones
October 4, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
“The evils of this deluge of paper money are not to be removed until our citizens are generally and radically instructed in their cause and consequences, and silence by their authority the interested clamors and sophistry of speculating, shaving, and banking institutions. Till then, we must be content to return quoad hoc to the savage state, to recur to barter in the exchange of our property for want of a stable common measure of value, that now in use being less fixed than the beads and wampum of the Indian, and to deliver up our citizens, their property and their labor, passive victims to the swindling tricks of bankers and mountebankers.” —Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1819. ME 15:185
Faux-Atlanta Planner sounds like an “interested clamor” from someone cashing in on a gubbmint job.
How many will you happily see foreclosed out of their houses unable to pay the taxes you want for your “good life?”
Our Founder’s plans created American Exceptionalism; there’s nothing exceptional about welfare fascism’s effects on honest, decent working people, without COLA’s and “the long green,” or individual pricing power to keep up with those slurping up trillions of fresh-printed dollar bills raising prices for food, energy and everything necessary to keep a family in house and home.
“Mine elect shall long enjoy the fruit of their own hands’ labor.”
Those bribing Congress to use inflation to bail out their falling House of Cards at the expense of the People are leeches on society unhinged from any sense of propriety or honor. They failed. It’s part of life. Let them find employment elsewhere having learned from the mistakes which took them down.
Mammon-worshippers happy to enrich themselves on the People’s blood have their own condemnation in store for them, those in the public trust in Congress who serve such evil are traitors against the People and must be sanctioned through removal from office, at least.
Look up PhD economist Allen Meltzer, and Puru Saxena. Two highly credible voices with more than ample reason, well articulated, why this bailout is not efficient: it will destroy the dollar and the Working Class while “benefiting” Mammon-worshipers so perverse as to believe themselves justified to ride the backs of others, and don’t believe a Righteous G-d is watching.
John Lewis must be removed from office.
Atlanta is the best city in the world for many reasons, cultural, geographic, and historical. One of the great things about Atlanta is that it is Dr. King’s hometown. He, with Mr. Jefferson, is a true American Prophet.
John Lewis is not following Dr. King. He is not worthy of Atlanta. The People will not prosper following Mammon.
John Lewis has proven he is a servant of Mammon again.
By danin macon
October 4, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
gw and cheney should be frog marched to jail for crimes against humanity
By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST
October 4, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Check this out…
http://www.safehavenpointe.com/signs.html
By kansasdawg
October 5, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
It’s called socialism.