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Opinion
Feb. 09, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Harry Reid and the stimulus

Not the majority leader's finest hour

If it wasn't painfully obvious already, it became quite clear this week that Harry Reid prefers playing partisan politics to passing substantive legislation.

The majority leader on Thursday used the proposed economic stimulus package to try to embarrass vulnerable Senate Republicans, in the process delaying potential refund checks to millions of Americans.

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    • In the end, Sen. Reid was forced into a humiliating retreat, but not before he relished plenty of time in front of the microphones portraying the opposition as hostile to old folks and disabled veterans.

    This bad beltway theater began after House leaders and the Bush administration each compromised late last month to put together a tax rebate designed to head off a recession and the measure was sent to the Senate for quick approval.

    Senate Democrats, however, insisted on larding up the bill with millions in new spending -- including additional heating oil subsidies and an extension of jobless benefits.

    The add-ons also included rebate checks for senior citizens and disabled veterans who don't pay taxes, which Republicans said they could support. But Sen. Reid insisted on coupling the expanded rebate base with the additional spending in an effort to force GOP senators to go on the record opposing checks for seniors and veterans.

    When the Democratic bill failed to muster the necessary 60 votes, Sen. Reid predictably ran to the cameras to hammer his Republican colleagues for their insensitivity, insisting that would be their only chance to vote in the issue.

    Within hours, though, he was facing pressure from House Democrats and executed a quick flip-flop. Sen. Reid agreed to allow a separate vote on a measure that would expand the House package by simply adding senior citizens and disabled vets to those eligible to receive "rebate" checks.

    That passed easily, but not before the Senate had dithered for more than a week on a measure that could have been handled in a matter of hours.

    All in all, it was not Sen. Reid's finest hour.



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    just joe wrote on February 09, 2008 06:56 PM: Let us stick to issues not diatribe.

    re: John Hot: We're glad you don't live here either.


    just joe wrote on February 09, 2008 06:56 PM: Let us stick to issues not diatribe.
    re: John Hot: We're glad you don't live here either.


    grumpy wrote on February 09, 2008 06:40 PM: Rudy,
    Touche! Our artifically low interest rates are the result of the insatiable appetite (foe now!) for our debt (namely China). So, indirectly, I do indeed benefit. I stand (somewhat) corrected. But, be assured, I would gladly pay more for debt absent this subsidy.
    Cheers.


    just joe wrote on February 09, 2008 06:27 PM: re: John Hot. All of this gobbledygook. Stick to issues and be specific or go back to the pub. I too am glad you don't live here.


    John Hott wrote on February 09, 2008 05:41 PM: Whenever Harry Reid does anything in the Senate, it makes me so very glad that he's not one of my Senators. If I lived in Nevada I would be so embarrassed to say that he represents my state. Harry Reid is one of the reasons why we aren't allowed to marry relatives. He also helps to explain why minks eat their young.


    Steve wrote on February 09, 2008 05:35 PM: Don't anyone forget that these "rebates" will be considered income by the IRS for those of us who pay taxes when we file next year. Of course, the ones who don't pay taxes now and are getting the "rebates" don't have to worry about that.


    Rudy wrote on February 09, 2008 05:09 PM: grumpy,

    You are correct, almost, that everything you consume you pay for. I say almost because the debt is funded largely by soverieng nations that we have not repaid, yet.

    The point was that everything that is drank (drunk?), eaten or used in our society, aside from outside air, is subsidized by government (yes, me and you and all the others). The federal government, and the State, has their hands in, on and upon every single thing in life.

    I'm glad for you that you make a pickle barrel full of money, and I share you observation that I, too, pay in far more than I recieve.

    Even if you could eliminate your income tax, our economy already operates with a hidden VAT (value added tax) on all consumables!

    Yes, means testing for medicare, medicaid and social security has to come, and soon, otherwise taxes are going to have to be raised to pay for these entitlements and our national defense and pay the interest on the debt and all the other pork barrel discretionary spending!


    ralph wrote on February 09, 2008 04:30 PM: Mr. Ghost is correct. The problem is that's not going to happen until we throw ALL the bums out and end all these "career politicians". We need term limits, a ban on former government employees working for lobbyists or contractors, and a line item veto so at least the pres. can cross off the earmarks.


    ghostcommander wrote on February 09, 2008 04:04 PM: What would you do as a Senator/Representative when faced with constant obstruction by the minority that has a record of obstruction and trying to set traps to harm the opposition. The politics should stop at the door of the House and Senate, There also should be no politicking when the House or Senate is in session. During elections politicians can say what they want, but if elected they should think of the Nation, the people, and not the Party. The USA, the Citizens are more important than one individual, one party, and even Congress. Simply--go about the People's business!


    Larry M wrote on February 09, 2008 03:40 PM: Harry Reid is a joke, and an embarrassment to the state of Nevada.


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