It was very distressing to see Sen. Robert Byrd, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, ranting and raving on a television news report at the failure of the president's "economic stimulus" or so-called "jobs creations" bill.
Byrd (a.k.a. "Mr. Pork") lamented what is allegedly the first failure of his many dips into the public trough during his 35 years in public office. In other words, it was distressing to see a grown man cry, for he appeared to be very close to tears.My congratulations to Sen. Robert Dole and the rest of the Republican senate minority, who "stuck to their guns" and struck the bill down.
Especially pleasing were the reasons for their action: "pay as you go" or, in other words, find the dollars to pay for it up front. No more borrowing; cut spending by at least the same amount; the bill was, according to Dole, "loaded with pork," much of the fat possibly intended for "Mr. Pork's" state of West Virginia.
But of all-encompassing import is the message conveyed to us citizens. We are beginning to see a new Congress - a Congress that is there to represent those who sent them there, rather than there to feather their own nest.
Hopefully, they acted on the pervading message from us citizens to them since last November, which is to cut spending first.
Of course, the House seems to be made in the same old, stale mold - tax and spend - for the bill sailed through them with apparently little debate. Therefore, we should take nothing for granted.
R.B. Swenson
South Ogden