"Moral Disaster of Monumental Proportion Reconciliation Act"

by Scott Shields, Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 05:21:45 PM EST

This is perhaps one of the funniest, most badass things I've ever heard come out of Washington. And rarely have I been more proud of one of my own Senators.

Today in the Senate, Frank Lautenberg introduced an amendment to change the name of the Republicans' "Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005" to the "Moral Disaster of Monumental Proportion Reconciliation Act".

"Let's call this bill what it is -- a moral disaster," explained Lautenberg. "This bill would close the door of opportunity and cut critical services to the poor, elderly, sick and hungry."

Senators had yet to vote on the amendment as of this post, but given the Republican majority in the Senate the name change seems to have little chance of passage.

The overall bill being debated in the Senate is aimed at making cuts in spending on entitlement programs in order to offset the massive federal costs incurred for the clean-up of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita along the Gulf Coast. Democrats have massed in opposition to the cuts, which they insist disproportionately disadvantage the nation's poorest and most infirm citizens.

The Republican push to gut social spending to pay for Katrina recovery has been infuriating me for months. Those hurt the worst by Katrina are the very people the Congressional Republicans think we should be targeting for budget cuts. It's really exemplary of the disdain the GOP has for the disadvantaged.

Back in August, I suggested changing the name of the budget bill to "The Kick 'Em When They're Down Act of 2005". But since that didn't fly, I guess Lautenberg's proposal is an acceptable compromise.




Tags: Democrats (all tags)

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Great Title (none / 0)

While the pentagon takes the money for Iraq and uses it to fund secret jails around the world, our poor and elderly will go hungry.  While billions and billions of dollars are unaccounted for, young men and women will drop out of college because they cannot get student loans, the local and state health agencies will suffer because their federal funding will be cut, children will lose medical care, our veterans will be wait-listed for medical/psychological care, schools will lose federal funding, etc. etc. etc.  The GOP would rather hurt the poor, the elderly, and disadvantaged children than adjust their freakin' tax cuts. While they pontificate about how they care for everyone, the Republicans are making cuts to programs that are already barely surviving. Shame.
by Marie Smith on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 05:40:18 PM EST

HAHA (none / 0)

i love lautenberg.  he rocks.
Visit us at TexasKAOS, where we're taking Texas back!
by annatopia on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 05:42:48 PM EST

Re: HAHA (none / 0)

 Me too. This is how you hit them. With the truth.
by thinkforyourself on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 05:49:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: HAHA (none / 0)

"Simply" refreshing, isn't it?

Lautenberg rocks.

by Athena on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 07:55:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: HAHA (none / 0)

My cousin was asked to serve as his campaign chairwoman early on in Frank's career.  She turned down the offer but she has since passed away.
The Kentucky Democrat
by kydem on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 06:33:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I found... (none / 0)

...that religilously referring to the Social Security 'reform' nonsense as 'The Financial Services Industry Guaranteed Perpetual Profitability and  Full Employment Act of 2005' usually pulled Republicans up short for a moment.
by Davis X Machina on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 09:50:24 PM EST

yup (none / 0)

just 3 or 4 more empty gestures like this and we'll own Washington.

pffft

DAGGER
by goplies on Fri Nov 04, 2005 at 10:49:07 AM EST


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