Public Opinion of Healthcare Plan: 41%

Take a clue, congress.

When 56% of your constituents oppose something, while only 41% support it, you'd better give that something the ax, or your jobs are toast. Just sayin'.

Another Letter to my Reps

This time it's about the "stimulus" bill. I'm not quite as cordial in this one.

SUBJECT:
Please vote AGAINST the final stimulus bill.

Dear [Senator/Representative] [Levin/Stabenow/Peters]

I am writing to let you know I am extremely disturbed by the "stimulus" bills passed by the House and Senate, and that I am strongly against final passage of any legislation that even remotely resembles what is currently on the table.

This bill is so incredibly and blatantly filled with earmarks, and so devoid of real immediate stimulus, that I'm dumbstruck that anyone could actually support it. Even the Congressional Budget Office says that the bill would leave us worse off in 10 years than if Congress didn't pass anything at all.

Supporting this bill is insanity. I fervently urge you to reconsider your earlier support of this legislation if you want to retain any semblance of common sense. Again, your voting record on this issue has me dumbfounded.

Did you know that if all those hundreds of billions of dollars were given back to the people, it would pay off almost everyone's mortgage? Instead, let's fund long-term "social infrastructure." Give me a break.

Congressional Republicans Gaining Advantage?

This was supposed to be the election where Republicans are swept under the carpet upon which they've been prostrate for the past two years. But suddenly the 2008 elections – heavily favoring Democrats in terms of open seats and vulnerable precincts – are competitive again. Whether the excitement surrounding the McCain-Palin ticket is translating into Republican voter activism, or the Democrats' vision shows a complete lack of connection to real people dealing with real issues, polls indicate a virtual congressional tie, sure to make Democrats think twice about what they thought was a sure-fire victory in November.

Says Gallup,

Republicans, who are now much more enthused about the 2008 election than they were prior to the convention, show heightened interest in voting, and thus outscore Democrats in apparent likelihood to vote in November. As a result, Republican candidates now lead Democratic candidates among likely voters by 5 percentage points, 50% to 45%.

If trends hold, it's even possible that Republicans could win back both Houses of Congress. And what would be the reaction of the left? Utter bewilderment. And what they don't understand will definitely continue to hurt them.

Senate: Let's Put This Messy Immigration Issue Behind Us

immigration_dc 006
Originally uploaded by mattdailey.

Amid the self-congratulation the Senate is giving itself about its immigration bill compromise, appears that the claim of bipartisanship has trumped reason as well as effective legislation. Let's quote South Carolina senator Jim DeMint:

"According to reports, the bill contains a new 'Z Visa' that allows those who entered our country illegally to stay here permanently without ever returning home. This rewards people who broke the law with permanent legal status, and puts them ahead of millions of law-abiding immigrants waiting to come to America. I don't care how you try to spin it, this is amnesty."

Thank you, Senator, for calling a spade a spade.

Immigration is one of those issues that legislators wish they didn't have to deal with, because no matter your position, you're going to make a lot of people angry. What's unfortunate is that few have the cajones to take a real stand, and instead take a watered-down position and call it a glorified act of bipartisanship.

Know which presidential candidate isn't getting caught up in the sweep-the-problem-under-the-carpet routine? Yep, it's Mitt.

"I strongly oppose today's bill going through the Senate. It is the wrong approach. Any legislation that allows illegal immigrants to stay in the country indefinitely, as the new 'Z-Visa' does, is a form of amnesty. That is unfair to the millions of people who have applied to legally immigrate to the U.S.

"Today's Senate agreement falls short of the actions needed to both solve our country's illegal immigration problem and also strengthen our legal immigration system. Border security and a reliable employment verification system must be our first priority."

No other major presidential candidate has taken as strong a position on immigration reform, which is anther reason that Romney is the clear choice for '08.

Be Very Afraid.

Well, we've suffered a blow to winning the War on Terrorism. In 2007, Nancy Pelosi and her clown posse will seize control of the House and turn national attention away from the most critical issue of our era. Republicans blew it, thanks to moderates and sellouts who abandoned their ideals and betrayed the people who put them into office. My only hope is that in the next two years, the party will slough off the chaff and come back stronger than before, ready to redeem itself. Meanwhile, President Bush needs all the help he can get to keep his prosecution of the war on track.

Next stop, Mitt Romney in '08!