Illinois Senator, Dick Durbin - for his tireless work on deficit reduction (Simpson-Bowles, the Gang of Six) and immigration reform (the Gang of Eight). I like him and I'd probably even vote for the dude.
He and my dad are good friends. Dad was his campaign manager when he ran for Congress. he even stayed at our house a few times. Decent guy. He was even pro life back then.
He'd be better if he didn't vote so consistently to favor the interests of union bosses over those of workers (85% favorable rating by the AFL-CIO). One of his most egregious anti-worker pro-union actions was his vote to abolish the secret ballot in union elections (a 2009). His minimum wage votes show that he is OK with forcing employers to fire low-skilled employers, which is what happens when the minimum wage gets hiked.
there is this: "Voted with Democratic Party 97.5% of 323 votes. (Sep 2007)"
I would say that when you such a high ideological conformity with anyone of either party, it is a very strong indicator that this person is one of those who favors party of principle.
He's also a deficit dove, really, since (in line with the Democratic Party vote) he voted to blow the debt and deficit wide open with unexcusable crony capitalism and handouts: this includes TARP.
This site shows Durbin as a corporate welfare king, voting to give the massive handouts to both the banks and auto industry.
Will, if you want to look at a principled deficit hawk among the Democrats, look at John Tester (D-MT), who votes no on both handouts.
John Tester voted to require public utilities to use more renewable energy while in the Montana state senate. Tester also voted for the 2009 "stimulus" handout, Obamacare, Dodd–Frank and he opposed the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United.
The last one means he opposes the right of the citizens to criticize those in power. Not really deficit related. The energy one is also deficit-neutral for the most part.
But good research on the others. Still, Tester deserves credit for opposing the hundreds of billions of corporate welfare handed to the banks and auto industries. Exceptions were so few, especially among the Democrats, which at least by 2008, had become the party of corporate welfare much more than the Republicans are.
I don't think that there's a 1 of the 100 that I agree with totally. I agree with you on Tester and, while I definitely don't agree with Durbin on everything (the minimum wage and bailouts, 2 perfect examples), I do like his work on the deficit and immigration at the very least.......Mark Warner is another Democrat who I like.
The reason I think Durbin's stand on crony capitalism/bailouts is relevant here is because the total for these blew a massive whole in the deficit/debt. And thus undermines the claim he is a deficit hawk.
Also, one can look at the Middle East wars. The claim of how they hiked the debt is central to criticism of Bush and Republicans.
While Durbin voted against the Iraq war initially, he has rubber-stamped Obama's war efforts in the area. That has cost more than $700 billion dollars since Obama was elected. Before Bush, Durbin was a "hawk" on Kosovo and Serbia, rubber stamping the war on Serbia which cost the US many tens of billions of dollars.
Just pointing out this to show how one of the main criticisms of Bush/Republican fiscal irresponsibility replies strongly to Durbin.
Looking at it more, Durbin is a donkey-hawk. Always willing to beat the drums of war and march in lockstep behind the Democrat leader, but going AWOL when there's a Republican in the top position. With some exceptions which show a glimmer of a maverick (Libya being an example).
He and my dad are good friends. Dad was his campaign manager when he ran for Congress. he even stayed at our house a few times.
ReplyDeleteDecent guy. He was even pro life back then.
He plays well with others, oh Ayatolla. Kind of like Senator Coburn does on the other side.
ReplyDeleteHe'd be better if he didn't vote so consistently to favor the interests of union bosses over those of workers (85% favorable rating by the AFL-CIO). One of his most egregious anti-worker pro-union actions was his vote to abolish the secret ballot in union elections (a 2009). His minimum wage votes show that he is OK with forcing employers to fire low-skilled employers, which is what happens when the minimum wage gets hiked.
ReplyDeleteHe's often pretty bad on workers and jobs.
Also, from
ReplyDeleteon the issues
there is this: "Voted with Democratic Party 97.5% of 323 votes. (Sep 2007)"
I would say that when you such a high ideological conformity with anyone of either party, it is a very strong indicator that this person is one of those who favors party of principle.
He's also a deficit dove, really, since (in line with the Democratic Party vote) he voted to blow the debt and deficit wide open with unexcusable crony capitalism and handouts: this includes TARP.
This site shows Durbin as a corporate welfare king, voting to give the massive handouts to both the banks and auto industry.
Will, if you want to look at a principled deficit hawk among the Democrats, look at John Tester (D-MT), who votes no on both handouts.
John Tester voted to require public utilities to use more renewable energy while in the Montana state senate. Tester also voted for the 2009 "stimulus" handout, Obamacare, Dodd–Frank and he opposed the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United.
ReplyDeleteThe last one means he opposes the right of the citizens to criticize those in power. Not really deficit related. The energy one is also deficit-neutral for the most part.
ReplyDeleteBut good research on the others. Still, Tester deserves credit for opposing the hundreds of billions of corporate welfare handed to the banks and auto industries. Exceptions were so few, especially among the Democrats, which at least by 2008, had become the party of corporate welfare much more than the Republicans are.
I don't think that there's a 1 of the 100 that I agree with totally. I agree with you on Tester and, while I definitely don't agree with Durbin on everything (the minimum wage and bailouts, 2 perfect examples), I do like his work on the deficit and immigration at the very least.......Mark Warner is another Democrat who I like.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I think Durbin's stand on crony capitalism/bailouts is relevant here is because the total for these blew a massive whole in the deficit/debt. And thus undermines the claim he is a deficit hawk.
ReplyDeleteHe bought the BS coming from Paulsen and Bernanke and unfortunately he wasn't alone in that.
ReplyDeleteMost Republicans saw through it. In opposition to Bush, and this was even during the Bush years.
ReplyDeleteAlso, one can look at the Middle East wars. The claim of how they hiked the debt is central to criticism of Bush and Republicans.
ReplyDeleteWhile Durbin voted against the Iraq war initially, he has rubber-stamped Obama's war efforts in the area. That has cost more than $700 billion dollars since Obama was elected. Before Bush, Durbin was a "hawk" on Kosovo and Serbia, rubber stamping the war on Serbia which cost the US many tens of billions of dollars.
Just pointing out this to show how one of the main criticisms of Bush/Republican fiscal irresponsibility replies strongly to Durbin.
Looking at it more, Durbin is a donkey-hawk. Always willing to beat the drums of war and march in lockstep behind the Democrat leader, but going AWOL when there's a Republican in the top position. With some exceptions which show a glimmer of a maverick (Libya being an example).
ReplyDelete