Congress Quietly Approves Billions More for Iraq War

[superkia]

The "no" votes in the House, all cast by anti-war members, came from one Republican, Ron Paul of Texas, and 13 Democrats: Oregon's Earl Blumenauer, Missouri's William Clay, Minnesota's Keith Ellison, California's Bob Filner, Massachusetts' Barney Frank, New York's Maurice Hinchey, Ohio's Dennis Kucinich, Washington's Jim McDermott, New Jersey's Donald Payne, California's Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters, Diane Watson and Lynn Woolsey.

That means that, of the 2008 presidential candidates, only Republican Paul and Democrat Kucinich voted against giving the Bush administration a dramatic -- if not particularly well publicized -- infusion of new money for the war.

"Each year this war is getting more and more costly --- both in the amount of money spent and in the number of lives lost. Now this Congress is providing more funds so the administration can continue down a path of destruction and chaos," said Kucinich, who noted the essential role of House and Senate Democratic leaders, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in passing the continuing resolution. "The Democratic leadership in Congress needs to take a stand against this President and say they will not give him any more money. That is the only way to end this war and bring our troops home."



Its pretty bad when the politicians that speak truth and want real change for Americans, get looked at as the crazy crowd. Where are the electable leaders?

[CountAllVotes]

1. and they expect US to vote for either which one of them?

Who were the three that voted NO I wonder?

:dem: :kick:

[EFerrari]

2. It is amazing that Dennis, who has been riight on everything about

this administration, is the "fringe" candidate.

That fringe is getting really, really long.

[Double T]

3. ABSOLUTE proof Americans don't really want change.............

status quo works just fine for MOST of THEM.

[EFerrari]

5. I don't think so. I think it's proof that people try to make the best

of the situation they're in.

In 2004, Dean started a tsunami. He was tanked by the DLC and the Republics. The party got Kerry. Good team players went with that. It was stolen. There's nothing in that process that shows people don't want change. If anything, it shows that most people are too decent to realize when they're being manipulated.

[Double T]

6. ...or TOO apathetic to do what is necessary for REAL CHANGE.

[EFerrari]

9. Apathy is often a defense against despair, not a character flaw. n/t

[Double T]

16. True. The result is still the same; NOTHING CHANGES.

[superkia]

10. This is more of what I am talking about. They said they wouldnt continue this war!

Look at how many people don't support Kucinich and look at how many support the others that did vote for it(or thought it wasn't important or what the American people are concerned about). First everyone is outraged at the war but tend to forget that only Kucinich voted no and said it was about oil as the others all looked at the same evidence if not more, and voted yes. Why? Now these same people vote again to continue Bushs war and they still have their support, while Kucinich has always and still has voted no but is unelectable and not backed like the others?

Heres a link to the article and another snip from it.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=237751

The move was backed by every senator who cast a vote, save one.

Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, the maverick Democrat who has led the fight to end the war and bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, was on the losing end of the 94-1 vote. (The five senators who did not vote, all presidential candidates who are more involved in campaigning than governing, were Democrats Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden and Republicans John McCain and Sam Brownback.)

Said Feingold, "I am disappointed that we are about to begin the 2008 fiscal year without having enacted any of the appropriations bills for that year. I am even more disappointed that we voted on a continuing resolution that provides tens of billions of dollars to continue the misguided war in Iraq but does not include any language to bring that war to a close. We need to keep the federal government operating and make sure our brave troops get all the equipment and supplies they need, but we should not be giving the President a blank check to continue a war that is hurting our national security."


How was this not a vote worth being involved in as a front runner to lead our nation or was there way of avoiding it so they can say they didn't vote for it as they didn't vote against it? If all the lives, the money, the security of our nation and our constitution meant anything, we wouldn't support these candidates. To me that states what we are as a people and its not so bright.

I will be voting Dennis Kucinich in the primaries because I no its right for my children's future.

[GreenArrow]

14. ABR

Anybody but the Republican.

It's not about what's good for the country, or what kind of country, and yes, world, we want to live in; it's about winning, plain and simple. And the kind of candidates who are perceived as "winners" are precisely those who will do nothing to facilitate the changes in attitude and behaviour this country requires.

A hard rain's a gonna fall, and there will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[superkia]

4. Our leaders dont care about us because we fall for the media and the games.

Its sad but true. If we voted strictly on who is representing us and who has the best outlook for us the people, even if that candidate didn't win, it would send a message and maybe they would do something for the people because they would fear we were paying attention. Until we change, our country will continue down the path its heading and its not the politicians fault. We make the votes!

A vote for a candidate that isn't standing up for the people they were elected to represent, is a vote to continue on the path for corporations and greed. If you don't vote for REAL change in politicians, you will always get the same and just complain about it. It truly shows how ignorant we are as a people.

[GreenArrow]

15. our intelligence is insulted daily, hourly, by the minute

and is done so with complete impunity.

[robinlynne]

19. yes Dennis is the best. I'm really torn between him and Edwards.

[leaninglib]

7. Well, it is that time of the year.

The fiscal year ended yesterday.

[terisan]

8. They approved spending through Debt. Let's start telling them to pay for it now. nt

[KoKo]

11. I heard Dems were going to HOLD tight until end of NOVEMBER..which Bill is this?

:shrug:

[superkia]

12. Heres the link that I read.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=237751


The Senate agreed on Thursday to increase the federal debt limit by $850 billion -- from $8.965 trillion to $9.815 trillion -- and then proceeded to approve a stop-gap spending bill that gives the Bush White House at least $9 billion in new funding for its war in Iraq.

Additionally, the administration has been given emergency authority to tap further into a $70 billion "bridge fund" to provide new infusions of money for the occupation while the Congress works on appropriations bills for the Department of Defense and other agencies.

Translation: Under the guise of a stop-gap spending bill that is simply supposed to keep the government running until a long-delayed appropriations process is completed -- probably in November -- the Congress has just approved a massive increase in war funding.

[KoKo]

13. okay...i got it....The Nation is saying there's more there than meets the MSM Report...SniP:

The Senate agreed on Thursday to increase the federal debt limit by $850 billion -- from $8.965 trillion to $9.815 trillion -- and then proceeded to approve a stop-gap spending bill that gives the Bush White House at least $9 billion in new funding for its war in Iraq.

Additionally, the administration has been given emergency authority to tap further into a $70 billion "bridge fund" to provide new infusions of money for the occupation while the Congress works on appropriations bills for the Department of Defense and other agencies.

Translation: Under the guise of a stop-gap spending bill that is simply supposed to keep the government running until a long-delayed appropriations process is completed -- probably in November -- the Congress has just approved a massive increase in war funding.

[robinlynne]

20. There's a hole in their hold.

[fenriswolf]

17. we need to get the word out

kucinich is the only one who represents the american people, with hillary abstaining in the senate this is our time to get the word out. Kucinich is the only one that will save america.

[autorank]

18. They are responsible for EACH & EVERY DEATH resulting. *1* MILLION so far.

Nice work assholes You'll get your reward in the afterlife you're all so proud of touting.
May the deity judge you as harshly as you judge others for violating this commandment:

THOU SHALT NOT KILL Pretty clear, unambiguous, regardless of weasel words provided by the
sycophants who try to muddle the waters. "Thou" meaning you "Shalt Not Kill" meaning, don't fund
this stupid war. You are so screwed ... think about it. The afterlife, aka eternity, is a long time.
You broke the big one. GEt your asbestos that you allowed for decades and strap it on. It's a hot
eternity.

[unhappycamper]

21. Wasn't there a list of Dems promising to vote NO on any Iraq funding?

I remember seeing one, as my POS Steven Lynch was on it.